Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is aware there are researchers who have defined the condition vibroacoustic disease and undertaken research on this issue. In line with our approach to other public health issues, we receive evidence-based advice from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. They provide the Scottish Government with expert assessment of the scientific literature available on this topic, and keep it under review.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29597 on 10 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29596 on 10 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 sets out the legislation that roads authorities use surrounding the design and conditions of use of traffic signs and road markings that can be lawfully placed on or near roads in Scotland.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads, including traffic signs, improvement, maintenance and repair with local roads authorities. It is for the local authority to ensure its road network satisfies the requirements of relevant legislation and neither the Scottish Ministers nor the Scottish Government would become directly involved.

There were 191 people killed on Scotland's roads in the 12 months prior to the reduction of the drink drive limit on 5 December 2014. However, figures for the 12 month period from 5 December 2014 to 4 December 2015 are still being collected and provisional figures will not be available until June 2016 following the publication of Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2015.

Yes, in general, provisions for the use of compulsory purchase powers in extant Acts of Parliament can still be exercised so long as the decision to exercise such powers is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Scottish Government is aware that a group of researchers with affiliations to the Occupational Medical Research Centre in Lisbon and the Centre for Human Performance in Alverca adopted the title of vibroacoustic disease to define a claimed whole-body, multi-system pathology which the researchers attributed to occupational or chronic exposure to the large pressure amplitude and low frequency noise.

The NHS has not issued guidance in relation to the diagnosis of vibroacoustic disease as it has not gained clinical recognition as detailed in the answer to S4W-28385 on 23 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government receives expert evidence-based advice on this issue from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. Both organisations also draw on the advice of expert subject-specific committees. There are currently no plans to review the literature on this.

The Scottish Government is aware of European Union Directive 2002/44/EC. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were introduced to clearly set out the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from vibration. They impose duties on employers to protect employees who may be exposed to risk from exposure to vibration at work, including health surveillance in certain circumstances where vibration at work may be a risk to health. These are in addition to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

In relation to maritime industries, the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 and the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 provide protection for seafarers on UK ships parallel to the Health and Safety Executive regulations for workers in the UK. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for enforcement of the merchant shipping regulations on ships.

There is no NHS monitoring of workforce exposure in the maritime industry.