Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
419. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a Covid-19 risk assessment has been carried out for wastewater treatment plants and for outdoor workers who clean blocked sewers. [15581/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if PPE has been deemed necessary for and provided to workers who clean blocked sewers. [15582/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra421. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if special training has been afforded to workers who clean blocked sewers in order to minimise their exposure to Covid-19. [15583/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra422. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if Irish Water and the local authorities have carried out temperature testing for those who work at wastewater treatment plants. [15584/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra423. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the different stages of wastewater treatment have been assessed for risk. [15585/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra424. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is an airborne risk to staff in wastewater treatment plants. [15586/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 to 424, inclusive, together.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
The Return to Work Safely Protocol sets out in very clear terms, the steps that must be taken for the protection of employees while any workplace is in operation. This protocol is the result of a collaborative effort by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and is designed to support employers and workers when putting measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, for which my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is responsible, it is the legal duty of employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all of his or her employees.
The safety of Irish Water’s customers and employees is of utmost importance and my Department has been in constant contact with officials in Irish Water throughout this emergency and are assured that all safety protocols are being adhered to. In addition, Irish Water is in contact with water and waste water utility companies across Europe to exchange international experience and information on responding to the operational and other risks associated with COVID-19.
The role of the Health and Safety Authority is to ensure compliance with the Return to Work Safely Protocol. If an employee feels the workplace is not in compliance with this protocol which includes social distancing guidelines, they can raise their concerns with the HSA and they will address the concerns with their employer.
