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Radon Gas Levels.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2004

Thursday, 17 June 2004

Questions (16)

Jack Wall

Question:

15 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention was drawn to the potentially serious danger posed to workers from the presence of radon gas in the workplace; the action she intends to take to protect workers against its effects; if she is satisfied that the law is being imposed; and the number of prosecutions for the gas by the Health and Safety Authority. [18041/04]

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Written answers

The exposure of workers to radon gas in workplaces here is controlled by the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 125 of 2000) and is enforced by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. Therefore, enforcement is primarily a matter for the institute.

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, employers are required to identify hazards arising in the workplace, assess the risks arising from them and put in place measures to eliminate or control the risks. The authority use seminars to remind employers located in areas likely to exceed the threshold limit value set out in the statutory instrument on ionising radiation of their obligations under the 1989 Act if the limit value is exceeded.

To date the HSA has not prosecuted anyone for the presence of radon gas at workplaces.

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