asked the Minister for Labour if there are any regulations governing safety and health of workers (i) in factory canteens and kitchens (ii) in hotel and restaurant kitchens (iii) in garages (iv) in petrol filling stations (v) on board ships or boats (vi) on marine rigs and (vii) on trains; if so, if he will give details of these regulations and if accidents at any of these places are not reportable under the Factories Act, 1955, or under other legislation.
Written Answers. - Safety and Health Regulations.
389.
Of the categories of work places referred to by the Deputy the types which come directly within the application of safety and health legislation administered by my Department are:
(a) garages or filling stations at which types of work covered by the Factories Act are being carried on and
(b) docks and harbours at which ships or boats are being loaded or unloaded, repaired etc.
In certain factories where substances are used which may involve health hazards, separate accommodation for meals is required and such accommodation comes within the scope of the Factories Act.
The position regarding the reporting of accidents in such work places is determined by whether the premises concerned comes within the scope of the Factories Act. I hope to introduce legislation shortly dealing with safety, health and welfare of workers employed on offshore installations.
390.
asked the Minister for Labour the titles of all regulations made under the Factories Act, 1955, and other safety and health legislation, which are still current.
There are a very considerable number of regulations made under the Factories Act, 1955, and the Mines and Quarries Act, 1965. These are set out in the annual report of the industrial inspectorate, which is presented annually to both Houses of the Oireachtas. The report for 1977 will be presented shortly.
The only other regulations relevant to the Deputy's question for which my Department are responsible are those made under the Office Premises Act, 1958. These are as follows:
Office Premises (Overcrowding) Regulations 1959 (S.I. No. 30 of 1959);
Office Premises (Overcrowding) (Amendment) Regulations 1963 (S.I. No. 175 of 1963);
Office Premises (Minimum Temperature in Workrooms and Cloakrooms) Regulations 1959 (S.I. No. 31 of 1959);
Office Premises (Standards of Lighting) Regulations 1959 (S.I. No. 196 of 1959);
Office Premises (Sanitary Conveniences) Regulations 1959 (S.I. No. 32 of 1959);
Office Premises (Washing Facilities) Regulations 1959 (S.I. No. 33 of 1959);
Office Premises (Clothing Accommodation) Regulations 1959 (S.I. No. 34 of 1959).