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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Other Questions. - Health and Safety Regulations.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

67 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of deaths and injuries reported during 2001 as a result of accidents in the construction industry; the numbers reported to date in 2002; the figures for the equivalent period in 2001; when the promised amendments to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20365/02]

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health – known as the health and safety authority – is the State body charged with overall responsibility for the administration, enforcement and promotion of workplace safety and health. Matters arising from this responsibility are, therefore, a day-to-day function of the authority.

I have, however, been informed by the authority that, as reported to 31 October 2002, there were 23 construction related fatalities in 2000 of which 15 were workers in the construction sector, four were workers in other sectors involved in construction activities and four were members of the public. The number of accidents in the construction sector, resulting in more than three days absence from work, reported to the authority for 2001 was 1,305.

The number of construction related fatalities reported to date for the period 1 January to 31 October 2002 is 15, of which 14 were workers in the construction sector and one was a worker in another sector involved in construction activities. The number of accidents, resulting in more than three days absence from work, reported to date for the period 1 January to 31 October 2002 is 852. In this context it should be noted that there is often a timelag in the reporting of such accidents.

Proposals to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 have been developed at departmental level and are the subject of legal drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The opportunity is being taken to carry out a detailed revision of the current legislative framework dealing with occupational health and safety and I expect to be in a position to introduce a safety, health and welfare at work Bill in early 2003.

Is it not extraordinary that the Department has been talking about a new health and safety Bill for the last five years? The Labour Party drafted such a Bill, which included a provision for mandatory safety representatives, three years ago. We are still waiting for the Bill. Is it not disappointing that there appears to have been more deaths in the construction industry this year than last year? Does this not show that the Government's policies are not working so far? Is it not essential, therefore, that the Government introduce legislation to make mandatory safety training and mandatory safety representatives on each building site a key feature of the construction industry?

What is the current position regarding the number of health and safety authority inspectors available to carry out inspections of sites, given the ongoing complaints Deputies hear from workers? Does the Minister of State agree that sometimes the most tragic cases happen on very small sites where the basic safety conditions are not adhered to? What can the Minister of State do about these smaller sites?

Any death is one too many. This is particularly so in the construction sector, in view of its bad record. I agree that there are far too many deaths in the construction sector. However, we must recognise that there have been considerable improvements and a number of initiatives, some of which the Deputy has mentioned. Some of these initiatives, including the construction safety partnership, are now up and running. Much preventative work and health and safety training is taking place.

The legislation is my priority and I hope to ensure it is completed by the end of the year.

What about penalties?

The legislation will introduce significant increases in penalties. No matter what legislation or regulation is employed, health and safety depends on people's own awareness. Unless and until we have a considerable improvement in preventative measures, awareness and training we will not see a reduction in the number of deaths.

My most devastating experience in politics is the weekly reading of the reports of workplace accidents. The circumstances surrounding each accident make very sad reading. Almost all of those accidents and most of those deaths could have been avoided had there been an awareness of safety.

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