Vol. 504 No. 5
65 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons injured in each of the past five years in accidents involving workers in the aviation industry; if she has satisfied herself regarding safety arrangements in the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12213/99]
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, ensuring the health and safety of employees in Ireland, including employees work ing in the aviation industry, is primarily the responsibility of their employers.
The Health and Safety Authority inspects places of work to ensure that all relevant health and safety provisions are being complied with. Where contraventions of health and safety legislation come to the attention of the authority, its inspectors have the power to take enforcement action, including the issuing of enforcement notices and the bringing of prosecutions.
The Health and Safety Authority, as part of its ongoing inspection programme, inspects workplaces in the aviation industry and takes enforcement action as appropriate. The role of the authority in relation to the aviation industry centres on all ground operations, with a more limited role when aircraft are under the control of air crew. In the latter circumstances the air accident investigation branch of the Department of Public Enterprise and the Irish Aviation Authority play key roles.
The total number of personal injuries in the aviation sector reported to the Health and Safety Authority over the last five years was 185 in 1994; 164 in 1995; 161 in 1996 – this included one fatal accident; 80 in 1997 and 120 in 1998. There have been a number of serious accidents to workers at Dublin Airport this year which are currently the subject of ongoing investigations by the authority.
