Vol. 400 No. 6
6 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Labour the progress which has been made on drawing up and implementing the proposed EC Directive in relation to the safety of workers operating VDUs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The European Community Directive on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment was adopted at a Council meeting on 29 May 1990. The requirements of the directive, which is one of a series designed to promote the social dimension of completing the Single European Market, must be transposed into the national legislation of all member states by 31 December 1992.
Consideration is now being given to the new measures which will be required to implement the Directive and I expect that the preparation of our national regulations can be undertaken within the specified timescale.
Does the Minister intend to take any measures in advance of the implementation of the directive to inform workers of the essence of its contents? Does he consider it a missed opportunity during the Presidency that despite his stated intention of reaching finality on other directives in relation to VDUs, heavy loads, carcinogens and biological agents, no progress was made in these areas?
I will send the Deputy a copy of my press conference report. The only one we did not get through was carcinogens. We completed all the others mentioned by the Deputy. Because of difficulties with the Commission and one member state we did not reach a conclusion on carcinogens but it is to be discussed as an A item at the Marine Council today.
Regarding the Deputy's first question, the guidelines issued by the safety authority contain advice on what should happen and how this directive could be implemented in advance. It mainly deals with how new equipment should be dealt with, particularly lighting, the transfer of old equipment and the training and health inspection of staff in relation to VDUs.
Is the Minister satisfied that, for instance, pregnant women are apprised of the possible dangers and is full cognisance taken of this in all areas of work so they are not discriminated against?
This has to be dealt with under one of the items in the social action programme, so I am not saying I am satisfied. I am satisfied on some of the issues addressed but in other areas we will have to await a development under the action programme, probably sometime next year.
