Vol. 541 No. 5
173 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants which are available to companies in the meat processing sector to upgrade their factories to meet health and safety standards and comply with legislation. [23326/01]
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, is the principal legislation dealing with workplace health and safety. It sets out the duties of both employers and employees in relation to a provision and maintenance of a safe working environment. This Act applies to all places of work and to all employers, employees and the self-employed. Under sections 6 and 7 of the Act, it is the primary duty of every employer to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees, and that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not exposed to risks to their safety and health.
The duties imposed under the 1989 Act are statutory duties and there are no grants available to any sector of employment to enable relevant parties to fulfil these duties.
My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, is replying to an identical question as it relates to his area of responsibility.
