Jimmy Deenihan
Question:449 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Labour if he has satisfied himself that the provisions in the Safety and Health at Work Act, 1990 are effective.
Written Answers. - Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.
Responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 rests with the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health which was established under that Act. Among the Authority's functions is that of keeping the relevant statutory provisions under review. I receive regular updates from the Authority on its programme of work and objectives.
Considerable progress has been made in the first three years of the Authority's existence in developing an awareness of the requirements of the 1989 Act both in areas traditionally covered by safety and health legislation and in those sectors which came within the statutory system for the first time under the 1989 Act.
The various general duties set down in the 1989 Act for employers, self-employed, employees and others will be supplemented or expanded by a series of EC Council Directives on occupational safety and health, many of which are due for implementation by the end of this year. I expect to receive proposals for Regulations to give effect to those Directives from the Authority in the coming months.
I am satisfied that the provisions in the 1989 Act are effective.