Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 9

Written Answers. - Farm Accidents.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

45 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Labour whether any statistics are collected of those who suffer death or serious injury in farm accidents; and whether he will have discussions with the Minister for Agriculture and Food with a view to establishing an effective campaign to prevent such accidents.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, provided the legal basis for a new system of occupational safety and health and for the establishment of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health. The principal function of the authority is to ensure the safety and health of persons, whether employers, employees or self-employed, at a place of work as well as the safety and health of others who may be affected by the work activity. The basic approach is a preventive one, with identification of hazards and assessment of the risks arising being key elements.

Farming and related activities are among a significant number of new entrant sectors being brought within the scope of occupational safety and health law for the first time. In its Programme of Work, 1990-1992, which was formally launched on 24 January 1990, the Authority identified agriculture as a priority area for attention. The Authority intend to undertake a comprehensive review of occupational safety and health issues in the industry, including the feasibility and costs of collecting statistics. To assist it in its task, the Authority intend to set up an advisory committee under section 17 of the Act which will include representatives of various farming interests and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Through the committee, the farming interests can be involved and can make a valuable contribution to the decision-making process of safety and health issues in their industry.

Existing statistics available from the Central Statistics Office relate only to fatal farm accidents and are as follows: 1984, 32; 1985, 35; 1986, 23; 1987, 48; 1988, 21 (provisional).