Vol. 277 No. 9
asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that workers in the iron and steel industry are particularly exposed to the harmful effects of their environment, such as unbalanced or excessive muscular stress and adverse environmental influences which may be of a climatic origin, such as air temperature, air humidity, windspeed and heat but may also extend to lighting, noise, dust, smoke and gases.
73.
asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that various forms of irritant gases constitute a problem in the iron and steel industry, particularly during pickling and quenching and from smoke during rolling, flame scarfing, sintering and welding and during the spraying of emulsion, oils and paints.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
Certain, but not all of the occupational hazards mentioned in the Deputy's questions are present in the Irish iron and steel industry.
I had a special report prepared for me on the industry last year by the industrial inspectorate. Equipment at present being installed by Irish Steel Holdings Ltd. should eliminate hazards to the workers caused by dust and metal fumes. The company have at all times co-operated fully with the industrial inspectorate in all matters appertaining to the maintenance of optimum working conditions in the mills.
I had some difficulty in hearing the Minister's reply, but I would ask him if on the occasion of the recent North-East Cork by-election he visited the Irish Steel Mills and if he would agree with me that noise pollution is becoming the most serious pollution problem facing workers now, far more serious than it was 12 months ago?
I think that arises under the next question.
I am asking about the excessive heat. I understand that at one time the steel mills in Cobh provided beer for the workers, but that did not solve the problem. I understand there is an environmental problem in the steel mills and I am asking the Minister if he will take any effective action to solve the problem, if not eliminate it altogether?
As the Deputy is aware, compared with the major steel mills in other Community countries, the operations carried on in Haulbow-line are not on the same scale and many of the points raised by the Deputy do not, therefore, apply in that particular undertaking. As I said in my first reply, equipment is being installed which should eliminate hazards caused by dust and fumes.
Has the Minister visited the steel mills?
No, but the industrial inspectorate has.
Would the Minister consider visiting the mills and seeing the operations there and, perhaps, making a decision on the matter?
The inspectorate are aware of the problems and remedies are being provided. New equipment is being installed and the inspectorate are in touch with the situation.
Remedies are not being taken. That is the point of the question.
