Vol. 420 No. 7
9 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Labour if he intends to introduce legislation to improve and protect safety and hygiene at work, in view of the fact that 1992 is the European Year of Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is my intention to make statutory regulations to implement European Community directives in the area of occupational safety and health of workers during the remainder of this year. These directives are under three general headings, which are: (1) the Improvement of the Safety and Health of Workers at the Workplace, dealing with reporting of accidents, first aid, personal protective equipment etc.; (2) the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Preparations and Dangerous Substances; and (3) the Marketing and Use of Dangerous Substances, dealing with the protection of workers' health against the dangers of a range of substances.
As the Deputy will know, statutory responsibility for the review and submission of proposals in the important area of occupational safety and health of workers is the responsibility of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health, commonly known as the Health and Safety Authority. I expect that the Authority will be letting me have their proposals soon for the implementation of the full range of directives I have outlined above.
I welcome the Minister's commitment to introducing statutory regulations. However, do the Government intend to increase the funding to the Health and Safety Authority in order to promote, encourage and advise employers and employees about the necessity for health and safety at work? Second, will the Minister tell me what supports his Department provide to employers, because it is far more profitable for employers to take measures to ensure the safety of their workers rather than pay large insurance premiums to compensate for the accidents that may occur. What does the Minister intend to do in this regard?
I never knew a quango yet that did not look for more funding, but I am not aware that this is a particular problem for the Health and Safety Authority. I recently opened their very extensive and modern offices in Hogan Place, Mount Street, and I am satisfied they have a very adequate environment in which to carry out their very important work. I am not aware of any problems in that regard.
On the question of support for employers, I think employers realise that it is in their own interests to have the best possible health and safety standards at work. The estimated direct and indirect cost of occupational accidents to Irish industry last year, taking into account increases in insurance premiums, etc., was approximately £300 million. Therefore the preventive measure envisaged by the Health and Safety Authority will go a long way towards reducing what is a significant cost to Irish industry at present.
