Vol. 514 No. 1
105 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the call made by the coroner at a recent inquest that all building sites should be inspected at least once a year; the steps, if any, she will take to ensure that this happens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3507/00]
The administration, enforcement and promotion of occupational health and safety legislation is a day-to-day matter for the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health, known as the Health and Safety Authority.
I have been informed by the Health and Safety Authority that the construction sector continues to be treated as a priority high-risk sector. In 1999 over 40% of the inspections carried out by the authority's inspectors were on construction sites, although only 10% of the total labour force is employed in that sector. This involved over 4,000 inspections. A considerably increased level of inspection is planned for the current year and additional staff are being recruited for that purpose.
These inspections will concentrate on the main causes of fatal and serious injury such as; safety management systems; training of operatives; scaffolding; overhead power lines; working at a height; roof work; adequacy of welfare facilities.
The additional resources which I recently secured for the authority will enable it to increase its inspection activities in all sectors, but particularly in high-risk sectors such as construction. I would stress, however, that a reduction in accidents and fatalities in any sector will not be brought about simply by the provision of extra inspectors. Inspection is, but one element, in the drive to improve safety standards in all sectors of employment. While the primary statutory duty of care to ensure a safe place of work rests with the employer, joint responsibility, commitment and participation, from all sides, is necessary to foster safe work practices at ground level. Nowhere is this more vital than in the construction sector.
