Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 8

Written Answers. - Health and Safety Provisions.

Derek McDowell

Ceist:

21 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the level of health and safety provisions within the Defence Forces; the definite plans, if any, he has to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15142/97]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the surveys or research which have been carried out to evaluate Defence Force personnel duties' impact on their health or welfare; the issues that have been identified in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15246/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 79 together.

I am entirely satisfied with the level of attention paid to health and safety matters within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces have put a great deal of work into implementing the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 demonstrating a high degree of commitment to the safety of all of its members.

A Defence Forces Advisory Committee on Health and Safety, comprising both civilian and military personnel, has been engaged in directing and monitoring a comprehensive implementation of the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989. The 1994 report of the Defence Forces Advisory Committee to the Health and Safety Authority acknowledged the excellent work undertaken by the Defence Forces and made recommendations in the light of the work which had already been done in an area which the report acknowledged as being a constantly evolving process.

The report made recommendations in the following areas; management and promotion of occupational safety and health in the Defence Forces; reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences; consultation at barrack level; education and training.

The recommendations made in these areas are being addressed under the auspices of the Defence Forces Advisory Committee.

The report specifically acknowledged the excellent work done by the Defence Forces in the areas of education and training and suggested a policy of continued education and training throughout the Defence Forces. In this regard, the following measures are ongoing: each command is running courses for manual handling, fire and first aid in addition to safety officers and safety representative courses. All personal requiring manual handling training are fully trained; to date, over 33 personnel have attended the UCD diploma course in Safety; 29 NCOs have obtained certificates in safety through UCD; the Defence Forces safety officers course is now a recognised course by the National Irish Safety Organisation.