Minister Kitt puts the record straight on construction safety

Mr. Tom Kitt, Minister for Labour Affairs today (Friday 17th September, 1999) outlined an agenda that he intends to aggressively pursue with all concerned to ensure that safety on construction sites will be treated as a priority.

The Minister was speaking following a regular meeting with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) during which he endorsed the Authority’s move to adapt its tactics by undertake a series of intensive enforcement campaigns in the construction sector following a recent piloting in Galway. At the meeting Minister Kitt also instructed the HSA to discuss the current problems with both employers and workers representatives in the construction sector and to give him a full assessment of the situation. As soon as these immediate actions have been undertaken the Minister intends to meet with all sides jointly with a view to reaching an agreed and practical strategy for saving lives and protecting the safety of everyone in the sector.

The Minister said “all have been making an increased effort to improve the situation but much more needs to be done. While the Government and I are dealing with the key issues of resources and legislative change, all the other players must also make greater efforts to bring about improvements.”

The Minister underlined that employers, on whom the primary legal duty to protect their employees rests, must diligently fulfil that duty without cutting corners."Employers must, in full partnership and co-operation with their employees, accept that they have important responsibilities and obligations when it comes to devising and adhering to safety measures in the workplace. This includes the use of necessary protective equipment and in this regard individuals must take responsibility for their own safety”, said the Minister.

On the question of the resources available to the HSA, Minister Kitt has asked the Authority to provide him with comprehensive details on their priorities, including for the construction sector, so that he can seek the urgent approval of his Government colleagues for the allocation of additional resources to the Authority.

The Minister said that a full review of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, has been launched to examine any legislative changes which would make the protection of the safety, health and welfare of all workers more effective. The HSA has already invited submissions from interested parties and the public. Both employers and workers will have a full input into the review process as both have equal representation on the Board of the HSA.

.“I have specifically asked the Authority to come up with proposals in two key areas, namely, Safety Representatives and Penalties”, said the Minister.

Minister Kitt said that he strongly rejects recent suggestions from SIPTU which implied that he or the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) operate on the basis that there is an acceptable level of deaths in the construction sector. The Minister described such comments as untrue, unhelpful and misleading. “I want a calm, focused and balanced debate on the issues surrounding health and safety in the sector” Minister Kitt said.

Minister Kitt continued that “while undoubtedly there are features particular to the construction sector, which have been exacerbated by the huge increase in activity in that sector, they are not insurmountable if a realistic, genuine and honest effort from all sides is forthcoming. Nobody must be allowed to shirk their responsibilities in this regard”, said the Minister.

“Genuine efforts have been made, particularly over the last eighteen months, to create an embedded safety culture throughout the construction sector. It is disingenuous of SIPTU to suggest otherwise particularly as they have been involved through their representation on the Board and other committees of the HSA”, said the Minister.

Minister Kitt concluded that he fully appreciated the concerns of workers in the construction sector and emphasised that he wanted a similar message to go out to all other sectors.

“The bottom line is that all accidents are preventable and it is up to all concerned to ensure that this becomes a reality and not just an aspiration,” the Tánaiste said.