Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Health and Safety Regulations.

Liz McManus

Question:

55 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of deaths and injuries reported during 2001 as a result of accidents in the construction industry; the progress made to date in ensuring improved safety standards in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3340/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

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 22 construction related fatalities in 2001, of which 14 were workers in the construction sector, four were members of the public and four were others involved in construction activities. The number of accidents in the construction sector, resulting in more than three days absence from work reported to date to the authority, for 2001 is 1,115.

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, including detailed regulations dealing specifically with the construction sector, which is enforced in a pro-active manner by the Health and Safety Authority.

In 2002, the Health and Safety Authority intends to carry out 7,000 construction inspections with an emphasis on the management of safety, including safety representation, safe pass training implementation, welfare facilities, safe working at heights and site traffic management. In addition to inspections the authority intends to publish codes of practice on roof work, cranes and underground services. These codes will add to the existing construction sector specific codes of practice.

However, it is a continuance of the partnership approach to safety, as embodied by the construction safety partnership, CSP, which is crucial in underpinning ongoing improvements in safety standards in the construction sector.

The CSP, which is composed of representatives of the CIF, ICTU and SIPTU as well as the HSA and other relevant Departments/agencies, is working to a detailed three-year plan to improve safety, health and welfare standards in the construction industry. The plan contains a range of 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 the safety representatives pilot project which is a highly commendable joint ICTU/CIF project and which has resulted in the provision of training for over 200 safety representatives to date. Other areas of progress include the undertaking of a major training programme for safety officers and safety managers, 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 construction regulations.

These legislative amendments took effect on a phased basis from 1 January of this year. They are extremely significant in that they introduce, for the first time, the concepts of "mandatory safety training" and "mandatory safety representation" while also providing for better on-site welfare facilities. A further full review of the construction regulations is also under way under the auspices of the CSP.

In addition, legislative proposals to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, are currently being developed at departmental level. Pertinent issues of offences and penalties will be addressed in this context with a view to strengthening those provisions. A strengthened and updated Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, will be of benefit to all sectors of employment, including the construction sector.

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.