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Written Question
Scoliosis
Tuesday 5th March 2024

Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to include scoliosis as a reportable condition under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) are made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and apply to all sectors and workplaces in Great Britain.

The 2013 regulations clarified and simplified the list of reportable ill-health conditions (occupational diseases), as a result of a recommendation made by Professor Löfstedt in his report “Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety (legislation,” published in 2011.

Under the regulations, HSE is required to review RIDDOR every five years. A review has recently been completed and its recommendations published. One of these recommendations was to review the list of reportable occupational diseases. HSE is currently considering how best to take this forward.


Written Question
Welding: Health Hazards
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) provide information to welders on and (b) help protect welders from the potential health risks associated with mild steel welding fume.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken the following steps to provide information to welders:

  • The specific HSE guidance to businesses on welding fume control was updated in the form of the COSHH Essentials Welding Sheet WL3 (Welding fume control (hse.gov.uk)).

  • HSE’s website has a wide range of guidance and resources on the safety and health hazards associated with welding (Welding - HSE). Access to HSE’s website and downloading the documents on the website is free.

  • HSE developed a multi-channel media campaign, including the Work Right Site (Campaigns Archive - Work Right to keep Britain safe), a top tips resource on preparing for inspections and regular e-bulletins and social media alerts covering welding fume control.

  • A series of presentations at stakeholder events and webinars, reaching thousands of people and hosted by multiple partners, informed duty holders about the required control measures for metal working fluids and welding.

  • The findings of the regular HSE inspection campaigns are shared and highlighted with the relevant industry stake holder groups.

HSE conducts regular inspection campaigns targeting the industries where welding is prevalent. Since 2013 there have been annual campaigns specifically focussing on metal fabrication businesses including assessment of their control of exposure to welding fume. Inspection activities in other industries, for example agriculture and construction, also address welding controls where appropriate.


Written Question
Welding: Health Hazards
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that businesses undertaking welding provide effective controls on the fumes arising from welding.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require that businesses ensure that exposure to substances hazardous to health, like welding fume, are either prevented or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

The hierarchy of control measures specified by COSHH requires systems of work and engineering controls to be implemented, where reasonably practicable, to provide adequate control of welding fume. A key engineering control is the provision of suitable Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) equipment to remove the fume at source.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducts regular inspection campaigns targeting the industries where welding is prevalent. A key part of the inspection is to check that the correct type of LEV is provided, that it is effective, that workers know how to set up and use the equipment correctly, welding is appropriately supervised, that the LEV is maintained and that the LEV is thoroughly examined and tested by competent examiners at the correct intervals.

HSE has worked with the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) to promote the BOHS Welding LEV On-line Selector Tool developed and published on their website that allows duty holders to specify their welding requirements and circumstances and the tool suggests the most appropriate control measures (Welding Fume Control Selector Tool).


Written Question
Department for Education: Health and Safety
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The department is an inclusive employer that is committed to ensuring that any employee requiring an adjustment is treated fairly and has equal opportunities.

The department’s provision of workplace adjustments includes assessing individual needs on a case-by-case basis. These assessments lead to the provision of physical adjustments, such as chairs or desks, to neurodiversity adjustments such as coaching, to the provision of transport and to varying assessments that recommend tools or adjustments that can support individuals in their roles. In addition, the department provides flexible working approaches and encourages employees to utilise the department’s occupational health provider where required.

Where recommendations are received as a result of occupational health or other medical providers, the department works with employees and line managers to put in place all reasonable adjustments. In addition, the department follows the Government Workplace Guide where possible.


Written Question
Ministry of Justice: Health and Safety
Monday 19th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether all (a) buildings and (b) workplaces staff from their Department occupy have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice has a Health and Safety policy and Occupational Health and Safety Management System in place, which requires suitable and sufficient risk assessments to ensure all occupational health and safety hazards and risks are adequately identified, assessed, controlled and monitored.


Written Question
Prisons: Epilepsy
Wednesday 31st January 2024

Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of epilepsy (a) awareness and (b) first aid training for prison staff.

Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The HMPPS National Health and Safety Arrangements for First and Emergency Aid (publishing.service.gov.uk) require each prison to complete a first aid needs assessment, taking account of local risk and demand. All sites must have in place suitable numbers of adequately trained staff, equipment, and facilities to meet the need for first aid provision. First Aid training provided to prison staff – such as the course provided by St Johns Ambulance, which includes a wide range of topics, including how to deal with epileptic seizures – meets the standard required to comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations.

Information for all HMPPS staff about epilepsy is provided on the Occupational Health employee information website https://hmpps.workplacewellbeing.com/guidance/epilepsy/. This explains how epilepsy affects safety at work, and how managers can ensure adequate first aid cover by reviewing risk assessments, implementing reasonable adjustments, and making referrals to Occupational Health.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Remote Working
Wednesday 31st January 2024

Asked by: Maria Eagle (Labour - Garston and Halewood)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 48 of the Defence Equipment & Support Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, what weakness he has identified in delivery management oversight from staff working remotely.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Equipment and Support identified the relatively sudden shift to 'large scale' Working From Home as a result of the C-19 pandemic may have resulted in some employees not receiving the appropriate levels of duty of care from their delivery managers which UK legislation describes and mandates. As a result, a Training Needs Analysis was carried out which established the need for additional training.

A series of measures to address this training need have been implemented, including new Health and Safety training for all employees and managers. All Occupational Health and Safety policy and guidance has been reviewed to ensure it covers both office and remote scenarios.


Written Question
Defence Equipment & Support: Training
Wednesday 31st January 2024

Asked by: Maria Eagle (Labour - Garston and Halewood)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 48 of the Defence Equipment & Support Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, what the conclusions of the Training Needs Analysis were.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Equipment and Support identified the relatively sudden shift to 'large scale' Working From Home as a result of the C-19 pandemic may have resulted in some employees not receiving the appropriate levels of duty of care from their delivery managers which UK legislation describes and mandates. As a result, a Training Needs Analysis was carried out which established the need for additional training.

A series of measures to address this training need have been implemented, including new Health and Safety training for all employees and managers. All Occupational Health and Safety policy and guidance has been reviewed to ensure it covers both office and remote scenarios.


Written Question
State Retirement Pensions: Women
Tuesday 30th January 2024

Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support women who are physically unable to work to state pension age.

Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We know that older people are more likely to develop a disability or health condition that impacts on their ability to work, and the Department has initiatives to support them as part of the core Jobcentre Plus offer, as well as through specialist provision.

This Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it, including when they near or reach retirement. Support is available through the welfare system to those who are unable to work, are on a low income or have additional costs as a consequence of a long-term health condition or disability but are not eligible to pensioner benefits because of their age. Good work is generally good for health. Therefore, where possible and appropriate, the Government supports disabled people and people with health conditions to start, stay and succeed in work through an ambitious programme of initiatives.

These include: the Work and Health Programme; Access to Work grants; Disability Confident; a digital information service for employers; Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres; Employment Advice in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care. Building on existing provision and the £2 billion investment announced at the Spring Budget, we announced a new package of support in Autumn Statement 2023 including to explore new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to support; and establish an expert group to advice on a voluntary national baseline for Occupational Health provision. Access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. This can support people to find work they can do, and the appropriate adjustments to allow them to work successfully with their disability or health condition.

The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody is fundamental in the UK. Unlike a personal or workplace pension, which can potentially be drawn earlier, it has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension early, before they reach their State Pension age. We have no current plans to change this principle.


Written Question
Health and Safety Executive
Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the Health and Safety Executive's annual budget is for accessing scientific papers and other academic journals; to which academic journals it subscribes; and whether there are any relevant academic journals to which it does not have access in the context of its work on UK REACH.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Annual Budget for accessing scientific papers and other academic journals was £52k in the 22/23 financial year. This value can vary year on year depending on requirements of HSE staff, changes to cost of access to journals etc

On subscriptions, HSE’s Divisions will organise access to specialist journals depending on need. Examples include:

a. British Medical Journal
b. Ergonomics in Design
c. Flight International
d. Human Factors
e. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
f. Journal of Pyrotechnics
g. New Scientist
h. Science in Parliament
i. Business Green
j. Future Farming
k. MIT Technology Review
l. The Economist

Additionally, HSE has access to Elsevier’s Government edition of ScienceDirect which provides users access to over 2,000 online journals and e-chapters.

HSE staff can also request articles and full journals from the British Library interlibrary loans service and utilise a commercial provider “Reprints Desk” for articles that are urgently required. When required HSE can also purchase articles directly from publishers.

As part of the above arrangements, HSE has been able to access all published material that it has needed to deliver the programme of work on UK REACH