Joe Sherlock
Question:26 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Labour the progress which has been made to date in implementing the terms of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, was formally enacted in April 1989. I made a commencement order bringing the Act into operation on 1 November 1989 and the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health were also established on the same date.
Provision for a separate grant for the Authority has been included in the Draft Estimate 1990 for my Department. In January the Authority submitted to me their programme of work for 1990-92. The programme sets out the proposed activities and priorities and emphasises the preventive philosophy included in the Act. The Authority will continue to monitor safety and health in the traditional sectors including manufacturing industry, construction and mines and quarries. In addition, the Authority will extend their operations to the new entrant sectors, giving special attention in 1990 to the health sector and to the complex problems of safety and health in the farming and forestry sectors. The Authority are using the powers in the 1989 Act to set up several advisory committees to undertake specific tasks. In this way the Authority are availing themselves, on a consultative basis, of a wider range of advice and expertise from various interest groups.
At the formal launch of the Authority's programme on 24 January 1990, I expressed my satisfaction at the prompt production of a wide ranging action plan. I would expect that the programme will make a progressive contribution towards the creation by employers, in co-operation with their workers, of a safe and healthy environment at all our workplaces.