asked the Minister for Labour if any studies have been carried out by his Department in relation to the general health implications in the microchip industry and on the health and social impact of the types of work involved in some of the micro-technological companies setting up in this country; if he is aware of a high incidence of blindness in plants owned by some of these companies in areas such as Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electronic Industry Health Hazards.
5.
Information is available from studies conducted by the ILO and other agencies, on occupational health hazards in the electronics industry, including that sector of the industry concerned with micro-processors. Information is, likewise, available on the social implications of patterns of work associated with the industry. Industrial inspectors have been carrying out examinations in the industry in Ireland, particularly of firms of recent origin here, and reports submitted to date do not suggest grounds for particular anxiety as regards the health and conditions of workers.
I would invite the Deputy to let me have any information he has on conditions elsewhere, so that they can be referred to the inspectorate for study and report.
As regards the Minister's reference to research by the ILO and other organisations, would he clarify whether his own Department has carried out a background analysis of the record of the companies to which this question refers, in relation to their activities in other countries?
As I told the Deputy, the information available is from the ILO, EEC and similar bodies. Studies have been carried out in this country. As the Deputy is aware, there are many new industries here. As I said in my reply, there does not appear to be any particular anxiety as regards the health and conditions of the workers. Having said that, in the whole field of health welfare and, in particular, with the development of new technology such as this, I see the need for observation and continued investigation. To date, the inspectors have reported that the conditions in the factories are good and that any accidents which have occurred in those factories to date were of a minor nature. The monitoring of the air is very important. For that reason, the Department have arranged, in order to monitor the work-place environment, for their laboratory facilities and equipment to be extended and updated.
That is all to the good, but am I right in presuming that the research of the ILO would refer to the field of micro-processing? The question asked is whether or not the companies who are presently setting up here have had an examination, by your inspectors or someone responsible in your Department, of their track record in relation not just to industrial accidents, but to blindness brought about by some of the very close type of work such as the work involved in micro-processing, where there is clear evidence, in some cases, that a different approach may be necessary here as, for example, with young girls working for long hours at very fine work.
I take the Deputy's point. It is true to say that the inspectorate, being aware of some of the hazards to one of which the Deputy has referred in this type of work, have obviously laid down specific levels which have to be monitored. That is why the laboratory facilities and equipment are being augmented, to allow of more regular and more updated equipment to carry out the necessary monitoring. These regulations have been made applying to the levels to be followed.
Presumably they are based on research and findings of the companies in relation to their activities abroad? Am I correct in that?
How then are these regulations obtained?
They are based on research by the ILO, EEC and so on.
May I have a copy of those regulations?
Certainly.