asked the Minister for Labour why the number of industrial accidents due to stepping on or striking against objects more than trebled between 1968 and 1971; and what steps are being taken to reverse the trend.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Industrial Accidents.
50.
The number of industrial accidents due to "stepping on or striking against objects" shown in the report of the Industrial Inspectorate for 1971 has been based on a new classification code for industrial accidents which was adopted with a view to presenting in a more meaningful way the nature of industrial accidents reported by employers under the Factories Act, 1955. Before 1971 many of those accidents had been included in two other classifications, namely, "Handling goods" and "Other". If those three classifications are taken together, it will be noted that, despite the substantial increase in the numbers of factories which have been registered since 1968 and the more effective reporting of accidents by employers because of the intensification of visits by the expanded inspectorate, the overall total for 1971 exceeded the average total for the previous three years by only 134 or 13 per cent.
As I have stated on a number of occasions, the industrial inspectors and the National Industrial Safety Organisation are available and anxious at all times to advise and guide managements and workers on safety matters at places of work.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.