Vol. 506 No. 5
58 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons injured in each of the past five years in accidents involving workers in the aviation industry; if she has satisfied herself with safety arrangements in the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15823/99]
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the primary duty for ensuring the health and safety of employees at work, including employees working in the aviation industry, rests with their employer. The Health and Safety Authority is the national body charged with overall responsibility under the 1989 Act for the promotion of occupational safety and health and for the administration and enforcement of relevant statutory provisions on safety and health. Compliance with occupational health and safety law is a day-to-day matter for the authority.
The role of the authority in relation to the aviation industry centres on all ground operations, with a more limited role when aircraft are under the control of air crew. In the latter circumstances the air accident investigation branch of the Department of Public Enterprise and the Irish Aviation Authority play key roles. The Health and Safety Authority, as part of its ongoing inspection programme, inspects workplaces in the aviation industry and takes enforcement action as appropriate.
I am informed by the Health and Safety Authority that the total number of personal injuries in the aviation sector reported to the authority over the past five years were 185 in 1994; 164 in 1995; 161 in 1996 – this included one fatal accident; 80 in 1997 and 120 in 1998.
