asked the Minister for Labour whether in an effort to reduce accidents he will now make regulations under sections 67 and 71 of the Factories Act, 1955, prescribing maximum weights which may be lifted, carried or moved manually; why such regulations have not already been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Factory Load-Lifting Regulations.
66.
The matter of the maximum permissible load to be carried by a worker has been under consideration for some time by the International Labour Organisation which last June adopted a Convention (No. 127) and a Recommendation (No. 128) in regard to it. These instruments are at present under consideration and the making of regulations in the matter under the Factories Act, 1955, will be examined when decisions are made as to the ILO instruments.
Is there any reason on earth why ad interim we should not proceed to do what I have been urging several Ministers to do for the past 20 years, that is, to limit the load carried by an individual to 112 lbs. In the old days we had 2½ cwt sacks and 2 cwt bags but they are all gone now. Why not make a general ruling requiring the maximum load to be 112 lbs? In practice, generally, that is the case. I know there are exceptions. I know there are certain manure manufacturers and certain old-fashioned millers who still require grain and fertilisers to be carried in bags. We could get rid of these anachronisms without waiting for an ILO decision.
There is not any great evidence to suggest that the carrying of excessive weight is causing any considerable number of accidents.
Does the Minister think a man ought to be asked as part of his ordinary work to carry more than 112 lbs?
The Deputy will appreciate the difficulty of enforcing the regulation made under the 1955 Act, particularly in the absence of any international standards.
It should be comparatively easy to make a regulation, saying: "You may not make a man carry more than 112 lbs."