Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health, known as the Health and Safety Authority, is the State body charged with overall responsibility for the administration, enforcement and promotion of workplace safety and health. Matters arising from this responsibility are, therefore, a day-to-day function of the authority.
Statistical information concerning the number of fatalities and injuries in any work sector is collected by, and obtainable directly from, the authority. I have, however, been informed by the authority that there were 19 construction related fatalities in 2000 while 20 construction related fatal accidents have been reported to date in 2001. The number of accidents in the construction sector, resulting in more than three days absence from work, reported to date to the authority for 2000 is 734. The number of accidents in the construction sector, resulting in more than three days absence from work, reported to date to the Authority for 2001 is 805.
The management of health and safety standards in the construction sector, as in all sectors of employment, requires the fulfilment of their respective responsibilities and duties by all parties concerned. There is already in existence a strong occupational health and safety legislative code which is enforced in a proactive manner by the Health and Safety Authority. In this regard, the additional financial and staffing resources, which I have secured for the authority in recent years, are put to particular effect in the construction sector through targeted inspection, enforcement and awareness raising activities. However, both I and the authority are of the firm belief that for greater health and safety improvements to be brought about in that sector, a continuance of a partnership approach to safety, as embodied by the construction safety partnership, CSP, is crucial. The CSP is composed of representatives of the CIF, ICTU and SIPTU as well as the HSA and other relevant Departments-agencies.
In November 2000, the CSP produced a detailed three year plan to improve safety, health and welfare standards in the construction industry. The plan includes measures to improve safety consultation and safety representation, safety training and the introduction of safety management systems.