In reply to Mr Donohoe's question on the issuing of a "health and safety card" to Safety Representatives, and only accepting such a card as evidence of their training and credentials, I can confirm the following points.

  Where it has been agreed between National Power and the relevant recognised Trade Union that a member of the Trade Union is to be appointed as a Safety Representative, then the relevant Union may issue the Safety Representative with a "Safety Representatives Accreditation Card". The card states the name of the Safety Representative, the period of appointment, and is signed and dated by the Trade Union side Joint Secretary of the National Power Health and Safety Advisory Committee. Not all Safety Representatives in National Power are Trade Union appointed and hence not all Safety Representatives have an "accreditation card".

  Irrespective of whether a Safety Representative has an accreditation card, both National Power and the relevant recognised Trade Union work to ensure that anyone appointed as a Safety Representative is appropriately trained whether through a Union specific external course or a joint National Power/Union course.

  There are two main components for the training of National Power staff acting in the capacity of Safety Representative. The first is an open learning package developed jointly by representatives of the Electricity Companies and the recognised Trade Unions entitled "Working Safely".

  The material comprises a workbook and cassette tape and is intended to provide grounding for subsequent formal training. It comprises six units namely:

—  The Role and Functions of Safety Representatives

—  The principles of Good Health and Safety Management

—  Assessing Risks and Taking Appropriate Action

—  Finding a Standard and Sources of Help

—  Legislation In Practice

—  Health and Safety Committees.

  The pack also includes a copy of the TUC book entitled "Hazards at Work".

  The Safety Representatives also attend a joint Union/National Power training course entitled "Basic Skills for Safety Representatives". The course covers:

—  Functions of a Safety Representative

—  Identifying and Dealing with Common Hazards

—  Communications and Interviewing Skills

—  Accident Investigation

—  Risk Assessment

—  Workplace Inspection.

  In addition to the Basic Skills course there is also a refresher-training course. Both of the courses are demand led. In the last year there has been one Basic Skills Course and two refresher-training courses. Safety Representatives are also encouraged to take part in other relevant and location specific health and safety training.

  National Power recognises the contribution that Safety Representatives make to the provision of a safe and healthy working environment and through the training described above ensures that they have the knowledge and skills to enable them to make an effective contribution.

M. Davison

Head of Health and Safety National Power plc