Vol. 399 No. 1
32 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Labour if he will extend the requirements of the Office Premises Acts and the health and safety legislation to offices of Deputies, Senators and officials of both Houses of the Oireachtas; if he accepts that present standards of accommodation in the Oireachtas frequently fall short of the standards set for other workplaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, applies to all workers. In addition, the pre-existing statutory enactments, including the Office Premises Act, 1958, continue to apply as heretofore. The employer bears the primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of a workplace which is safe and without risk to health. It is a function of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health to enforce the relevant statutory provisions and to investigate complaints of non-compliance. In addition, the authority will provide information and advice to employers and other interested persons on the requirements for compliance with occupational safety and health law.
