Jack Wall
Question:63 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reasons leaflets regarding health and safety issues have a charge fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15113/04]
View answerThursday, 20 May 2004
Questions (63)
Written answers
One of the principal functions of the Health and Safety Authority as set out in its corporate plan for 2003 to 2007 is to provide information and expert advice to employers, employees and the self employed. To achieve this objective, the authority provides a number of information services as follows.
The authority operates "Infotel" a telephone information line where routine queries relating to workplace health and safety are dealt with. In 2003, 24,000 such queries were dealt with, a large increase in call volume over previous years. The authority's website www.hsa.ie contains a huge variety of information and expert advice on safety issues across a range of sectors. In 2003, the site had a high volume of users with 345,000 individual visits made to the site.
The authority produces a range of publications, many of which can be downloaded directly from the Internet. They include guidance material on various statutory instruments, codes of practice and informational booklets. In regard to publications produced by the authority, many are available free of charge as printed copy or as downloads from its website. The authority also produces a range of free promotional and informational materials such as bookmarks, posters and so forth, as well as a quarterly newsletter which is distributed free of charge to a large readership. In addition, the authority makes available a range of corporate publications such as its annual reports, programmes of work, corporate plan and so forth.
However, the exceptionally high demand for the information referred to places great demands on the authority's resources, which must be distributed across all its information services to satisfy the demands of its customers. Given this, there are limitations to the amount of publications which can be made available free of charge and a number of the authority's publications are priced so an efficient service can continue to be provided to its customers. Where publications produced by the authority are priced, the prices charged are set to ensure value for money for its customers and cover the costs of production, including research, copy editing, typesetting, design and printing. A discount of 20% is offered for all downloads from the website. A summary list of the authority's main free publications is included in Appendix 1.
Appendix 1 — Main Free Publications
Children and Safety on Farms — an introductory guide to managing child safety on the farm.
Farm Safety Plan 2003-2007 — This book lists the actions agreed between state agencies and farmers' representative organisations to reduce farm accidents.
Play Safe Stay Safe on The Farm — A short leaflet designed to raise a child's awareness about safety on the farm.
Farm Safety Self-Assessment Document — This practical document is designed to help the farmer manage health and safety on the farm.
Construction Safety Partnership Plan 2003-2005
This publication sets out the goals of the CSP for safety in the construction industry for the years 2003-2005.
Construction Safety Partnership Plan 2000-2002
This publication lists the actions agreed on construction safety between 2000-2002
Construction Safety Partnership Progress Report 2001
This publication covers the progress made on the CSP plan 2000-2002.
Fatal Accidents in The Irish Construction Industry 1991-2001: A Survey of Contributing Factors
A report prepared for the Health and Safety Authority which examines the factors contributing to fatalities in the Irish construction industry for the period 1991-2001.
Safety and Health on Construction Projects — The Role of Clients
This leaflet provides a summary of the client's role under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 481 of 2001).
Safety Behaviour in The Construction Industry
The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland combined with the Health and Safety Authority to fund the research for this project.
Safety With Asbestos.
This booklet gives an introduction to the issue of asbestos and the safety implications of working with asbestos.
All Clear — Best Practice in Surface Blasting Operations
Produced by Irish Industrial Explosives in association with the Health and Safety Authority, this is available to order in either VHS video or CD-Rom format.
Guidance For Carrying Out Risk Assessment at Surface Mining Operations — download only
This publication set out basic advice for carrying out a risk assessment at surface mining operations.
Guidance on the Safe use of Explosives in Quarries — Download only
This report provides guidance on the safe use of explosives in quarries.
Guidance to ensure Safe Use of Large Vehicles and Earth-moving Equipment in Quarries — Download only
This guide deals with the key elements in carrying out a risk assessment with regards to vehicle safety.
Chemwise — At Work At Home You Use Chemicals
This leaflet gives an introduction to the safe use of chemicals. It explains the labelling system on hazardous chemicals and outlines the meaning of each label so that health is not affected through incorrect use.
Use Chemicals Safely
This leaflet contains information on the "dos" and "don'ts" of using chemicals. It explains the meaning of chemical symbols and stresses the importance of reading the labels.
Wetstock Inventory Control for Petrol Stations — Download only.
This booklet gives guidance on how to detect a leaky tank by carrying out a wetstock inventory control.
Fishing Vessel Safety Statement
This leaflet provides a safety checklist identifying groups of frequently encountered hazards on fishing vessels.
Guidelines to First Aid at Places of Work — Download only.
This book covers all issues associated with the provision of first aid in the workplace.
Is Your Work Making You Deaf?
This leaflet contains basic information on the risks associated with noise in the workplace.
Occupational Asthma — An Employees Guide
This leaflet gives employees basic information on work related asthma.
Occupational Asthma — An Employers Guide
This leaflet explains employers' duties in relation to occupational asthma.
Report of the Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace — Download only.
This report goes through the findings of the expert group which assessed the impact of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.
Summary of the Report on the Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) In the Workplace.
This is a summary of the main report on ETS in the workplace.
Carbon Monoxide — The Silent Killer.
This is an illustrated leaflet aimed at highlighting the dangers of carbon monoxide in confined spaces.
Safety and Workplace Vehicles — Out of stock
This leaflet provides practical advice on the safety implications of using vehicles in the workplace.
Health and Safety at Work — Retail and Distribution Sectors
This is an information pack for the retail and distribution sectors, download only.
The HSA and You!
This leaflet provides an overview of the Health and Safety Authority and gives a brief outline employers' and employees' duties under the legislation.
Tú Féin agus an HSA!
As Gaeilge, as above.