Uncommon safety

摘要

When the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta 'Iolanthe' joked that MPs had to "leave their brain outside" before voting, health and safety was a long way down the agenda. These days, however, Parliament has its own health and safety team. The Palace of Westminster is an extraordinary place, redolent of much history, and filled with an eccentric assortment. However, as MPs and Lords are not employed by the House of Commons, Steve Wicks, the head of the occupational health, safety and welfare service and its safety advisor Elizabeth Cameron, have less immediate responsibility for them - though they are jointly funded by both Houses. There are around 15,000 people with passes admitting them to Parliament, but the team only has direct responsibility for those directly employed by both Houses (about 2100 employees). Other people in the buildings include contractors, peers and their staff.