Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health – known as the Health and Safety Authority – is the State body charged with overall responsibility for the administration, enforcement and promotion of workplace safety and health. Matters arising from this responsibility are, therefore, a day to day function of the authority.
The management of health and safety standards in the construction sector, as in all sectors of employment, requires the fulfilment of their respective responsibilities and duties by all parties concerned. There is already in existence a strong occupational health and safety legislative code which is enforced in a proactive manner by the Health and Safety Authority.
The Health and Safety Authority continues to regard the construction sector as a priority area of activity and, in this regard, the additional financial and staffing resources which I have secured for the authority, are being put to particular effect in the construction sector through targeted inspection, enforcement and awareness raising activities. However, both I and the authority are of the firm belief that for greater health and safety improvements to be brought about in that sector, a continuance of a partnership approach to health and safety, as embodied by the construction safety partnership, is crucial.
The CSP is composed of representatives of the CIF, ICTU and SIPTU as well as the HSA and other relevant Departments and agencies. In November 2000 it produced a detailed three year plan to improve safety, health and welfare standards in the construction industry. The plan includes measures to improve safety consultation and safety representation, safety training and the introduction of safety management systems.
Since its establishment the CSP has overseen significant progress in a number of areas including the initiation of a safety representatives pilot project. This project has resulted so far in the provision of training for 160 safety representatives and is a highly commendable joint ICTU/CIF project. Other areas of progress include the undertaking of a major training programme for safety officers and safety managers, increased inspection by the Health and Safety Authority and the establishment of a joint ICTU/CIF safety council to collaborate on information, promotion and research activities.