Discussion on Papers 24 and 25

MR CALTHORPE, Paper 24

With regard to the 1974 Health and Safety Act, my personal views on the potential hazards to staff directly involved are based on experience gained as an official 'safety representative' and as chairman of a Divisional Joint Health and Safety Committee. This is composed of multi-union, manual, non-manual and management representatives, and as far as I know this is the only occasion on which such a wide range of employees within the water industry has consulted together on a matter of common concern. I hope that this level of consultation continues.

Nobody Will deny the need for close liaison with staff on subjects such as the rehabilitation of sewers, particularly the man-entry type. Furthermore, it is not just the humane aspect, but the time and cost factors which can be affected crucially by the indisposition and absence of key employees.