Written Answers. - Health and Safety Regulations.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:
31
Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin
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; when it is intended to introduce legislation to increase fines for employers who breach safety rules in the construction industry and elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9479/02]
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 workers in other sectors 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 1,200.
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. A partnership approach to safety, as embodied by the Construction Safety Partnership, 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 and 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, most recently, the development of amendments to the construction regulations. These legislative amendments took effect on a phased basis from the 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 presently being developed at departmental level. These legislative proposals focus, in particular, on the issues of offences, penalties, safety representation, safety training and safety management and the introduction of a range of penalties to a graduated range of offences, both for summary prosecutions and for prosecutions on indictment is being proposed.
The proposals will shortly be submitted to Government for approval and following legal drafting, it is expected that a Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill, 2002, will be published later this year. A strengthened and updated Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, will of course 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.
