Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
68. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with retail and security workers regarding workplace safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44311/23]
View answerUnder the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 employers have an obligation to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, employee safety, health and welfare at work. Employers have a duty to undertake a risk assessment to identify the hazards in the workplace and to put in place appropriate controls to protect employees.
Hazards associated with violence and aggression in the course of work occur where employees are aggressively verbally abused, threatened or physically assaulted. The Health and Safety Authority is available to offer advice and guidance to employers in both the retail and security sectors and to assist them in identifying such hazards and to determine any controls to prevent or reduce the potential to experience violence or aggression in a workplace. Supports can also be found on the HSA website; www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/violence_at_work/.
Separately I chair the Retail Forum, which provides a platform for engagement with members of the retail sector to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the sector.
At a recent meeting of the Retail Forum, concerns around workplace safety and retail crime were discussed. I have since met with my colleague the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D., to share these concerns and to discuss available options.
I remain available to engage with both workers and business owners in the retail and security sectors regarding their workplace safety concerns. I would also urge workers who have specific concerns about their own workplace to bring those concerns directly to the Health and Safety Authority at contactus@hsa.ie or by LO-Call at 0818 289 389.
