Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
166. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Covid-19 complaints received by the HSA since June 2020 and January 2021, respectively; the percentage of these complaints that have been processed; the number of inspections and enforcement orders that were taken, respectively, as a result of these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14819/21]
View answerThe Workplace Contact Unit (WCU) is the Health and Safety Authority’s primary contact point for employers, employees, and members of the public to make complaints and seek information or guidance in relation to matters under its remit.
Between 1st June and 31st December 2020, the WCU received 2,078 COVID-19 related complaints;
- 2,049 or 98.5% have been brought a conclusion and have been closed off following direct intervention by either the WCU or the HSA’s inspectorate.
- 30 or 1.5% remain open,
- 11 are active within the WCU,
- 19 have been assigned to the HSA’s inspectorate for further intervention.
Between 1st January and 12th March 2021, the WCU received 802 COVOID-19 related complaints;
- 701 or 87.5% have been brought a conclusion and have been closed off following direct intervention by either the WCU or the HSA’s inspectorate.
- 101 or 12.5% remain open,
- 89 are open for a period greater than five days,
- 57 of which remain active with the WCU,
- 32 have been assigned to the HSA’s inspectorate for further intervention.
The HSA undertakes an annual programme of approximately 10,000 inspections/investigations. These inspections/investigations are selected on the basis of several factors including fatalities, serious incidents, reported injuries and complaints, or a blend of these factors. While inspections may be undertaken on a reactive basis, inspections are also carried out on a proactive basis. Investigations are a higher level of enforcement activity and are generally undertaken for more serious matters involving very serious injury or loss of life.
As many complaints received in relation to COVID-19 may have been multifaceted and overlapped with other workplace health and safety matters, it has not been possible for the HSA to provide aggregate data specifically as regards COVID-19 inspections arising from individual complaints received. However, the following summary data for the periods requested:
- From 1st June to 31st December 2020, 45% of inspections addressing the Work Safely Protocol resulted in a report of inspection on matters such as the need to formally document a COVID-19 response plan or improve physical distancing and hand hygiene practices.
- Between 1st January and 12th March 2021, 38% of inspections addressing the Work Safely Protocol resulted in a report of inspection.
The HSA has found that the level of adherence with the Work Safely Protocol across all sectors, been very high and considers this to be a positive indication that the vast majority of employers and employees nationwide and sector wide are taking a responsible and proactive approach to meeting the requirements of the Protocol.
