asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the extent to which the taking of safety precautions to prevent injuries to workers is being hampered by some managements which transfer or dismiss workers who complain about the insufficiency of safety precautions or unsafe systems of working; if he will take steps to stop such abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Safety Precautions for Workers.
44.
I am not aware that the taking of safety precautions is being hampered by some managements in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
Provision is made in the Factories Act, 1955 to enable workers in any factory to establish a safety committee and the factory occupier and my Department's factory inspectors are statutorily required to consider any representations made by such committees.
Is the Minister satisfied that this machinery is, in fact, being adequately used in view of the fact that some managements are clearly discouraging workers from taking steps to increase safety?
I have no evidence whatever that managements are so discouraging workers. The rights of workers to form such committees is not being availed of as much as it could be.
Would the Minister care to inquire why that is the case? My information from responsible men in the building trade is that men who complain or make suggestions find themselves transferred to alternative work.
There is no provision in the law for an individual to make complaints nor is there any provision for me to protect an individual from any consequences of making complaints but there is provision for the establishment of committees with statutory rights to approach either employers or managements and make complaints or suggestions and I think this provision could be availed of to a greater extent.
Would the Minister state the number of inspectors attached to his Department?
The number of inspectors does not influence the setting up of committees.
(Interruptions.)
Mr. O'Leary
It is not provable statistically that there is this problem in individual firms but we know it exists from many trade unionists who complain. I suggest the way out would be that the factory inspectorate on their annual visits should more or less question——
This is not a question, of course.
We could look at that idea and see if it can be done. I do not see why anybody is afraid to do anything except by way of the inspectors.
45.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how often building sites are visited by factory inspectors apart from inspections following reported accidents; why managements are given advance notice of intended inspections; if he is satisfied that adequate safety precautions are being maintained in the building trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will appreciate that building sites are not fixtures and, consequently, figures of the frequency of visits would not be altogether meaningful.
In the year ended 30th September, 1964 the factory inspectors of my Department inspected 1,339 building sites. In the 12 months ended September, 1965, the number had increased to 1,842.
Managements are not given advance notice of inspections carried out for the purpose of checking on compliance with the provisions of the Factories Act and the relevant Regulations.
I am not satisfied that compliance with the safety requirements of the Building Regulations of 1959 is yet fully satisfactory. In the year ended 30th September, 1964 prosecutions were taken on 108 counts. However, my inspectors report a continuing improvement in the standard of compliance.
Could the Minister say what percentage of the 1,339 sites inspected last year were routine inspections and what percentage were inspections carried out on receipt of reports of accidents which had already occurred?
That figure does not include inspections carried out as a result of accidents nor does it include revisits.
Will the Minister make inquiries from building workers in this city? If he does I suggest he will find that the information I have given is correct, that it is known for a week beforehand that there is to be an inspection. The notoriety of Gardaí tipping off publicans is nothing to the tipping off in this business.
That is an irresponsible statement.
It is a responsible statement but an irresponsible Minister has to contradict it. A responsible Minister would try to find out——
Does the Deputy know anything I could do to stop that?
He could dismiss a few people.