To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many gravestones were deemed dangerous by inspectors in 2006. (140522)

[holding answer 4 June 2007]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not consider the risk posed by toppling gravestones to be a priority as compared to other workplace risks. Therefore, HSE would only inspect a graveyard following a serious incident. There were no reported incidents that warranted an inspection by HSE in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many graveyards were inspected by the Health and Safety Executive in (a) 2006 and (b) 2007. (140507)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not consider the risk posed by toppling gravestones to be a priority as compared to other workplace risks. Therefore, HSE would only inspect a graveyard following a serious incident. There were no reported incidents that warranted an inspection by HSE in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the minimum height is of a gravestone or memorial requiring inspection under Health and Safety Executive guidelines. (140524)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not consider the risk posed by toppling gravestones to be a priority as compared to other workplace risks. Therefore, HSE has not produced any guidelines on this issue. Additionally, whether the gravestone is secure and the condition of the surrounding ground are the factors more likely to effect the stability of gravestones and memorials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incidents of falling gravestones and memorials were reported to the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last 20 years. (140535)

Reliable data for the period requested are not available. However, the available data show that 21 serious accidents, caused by falling gravestones and memorials, were reported to the Health and Safety Executive over the last seven years.