Billy Timmins
Question:115 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will introduce on-the-spot fines for breaches of health and safety legislation on building and construction sites. [23056/01]
Written Answers. - Health and Safety Regulations.
Seymour Crawford
Question:123 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the unacceptable level of deaths and serious injury arising from accidents at construction sites; and the regulations she proposes to introduce in this regard. [23230/01]
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:136 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the legislative plans she has to improve health and safety in the workplace and in particular on building sites. [23232/01]
Seymour Crawford
Question:137 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether on-the-spot fines should be introduced where health and safety regulations are being flouted by building contractors. [23231/01]
Michael Finucane
Question:143 Mr. Finucane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she will take to improve health and safety in the workplace in order to minimise death and injury, particularly on construction sites. [23061/01]
Derek McDowell
Question:155 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of deaths and injuries reported during 2000 as a result of accidents in the construction industry; the number of deaths and injuries reported to date in 2001; the progress made to date in ensuring improved safety standards in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23197/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 123, 136, 137, 143 and 155 together.
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.
Statistical information concerning the number of fatalities and injuries in any work sector is collected by, and obtainable directly from, the authority.
I have, however, been informed by the authority that there were 19 construction-related fatalities in 2000, while 15 construction related fatal accidents have been reported to date in 2001. The number of accidents in the construction sector, resulting in more than three days absence from work, reported to date to the authority, for 2000, is 734. Comparative data for 2001 is not yet available.
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 pro-active manner by the Health and Safety Authority. 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 safety, as embodied by the Construction Safety Partnership, CSP, is crucial. The CSP is composed of representatives of the CIF, ICTU and SIPTU as well as the HSA and other relevant Departments or agencies.
In November 2000, the CSP 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, the establishment of a Joint ICTU/CIF Safety Council to collaborate on information, promotion and research activities and, most recently, the development of amendments to the existing 1995 construction regulations.
These legislative amendments will take effect from 1 January next year and I hope to sign the amended regulations shortly. They are extremely significant in that they will introduce, for the first time, the concepts of mandatory safety training and mandatory safety representation, while also providing for better on-site welfare facilities. Further amendments to the 1995 construction regulations are also being explored under the auspices of the CSP.
In addition, in response to my request, the board of the Health and Safety Authority has completed the review of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 and legislative proposals to amend the Act are presently being developed at departmental level. It is my intention to address a number of pertinent issues in this context, such as the issues of offences and penalties, with a view to strengthening those provisions. A strengthened and updated Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, will of course be of benefit to all sectors of employment.
With the introduction of the revised construction regulations, the State continues to play its role in the effort to improve health and safety standards in the construction sector, through the provision of a strong legislative base and the provision of the associated training, advisory, inspection and enforcement services. I am confident that both sides of industry will also respond in a positive manner and take on board their particular responsibilities and duties.