Minister Killeen launches H.S.A 2005 Programme of Work

“We cannot take our foot off the pedal in terms of enforcement, inspection of workplaces and making awareness a top priority” - Killeen

The Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Tony Killeen, TD, today (Wednesday 2^nd February 2005) officially launched the Health and Safety Authority’s 2005 Programme of Work. This Programme sets out the annual work plan for the Authority and highlights its goals for the 2005.

Among the key aims of the HSA for 2005 are:

• Continuing to put prevention at the top of the agenda through new initiatives, alliances and targeted programmes
• Increase the number of workplace inspections and the establishment of the Special Investigations Unit
• Assisting workplaces with the implementation of the new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act when enacted later this year
• Develop a national strategy for occupational health
• Continue with the restructuring of the Authority to facilitate more contact with workplaces both directly and indirectly
• Launch a Health Audit Tool pilot project which will result in a comprehensive and more effective integrated health, safety and clinic system within the Health Service

Launching the 2005 Programme of Work, Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen T.D. said: “I wish to commend the HSA for its initiative in putting forward this ambitious programme of work for 2005. The key emphasis is on the prevention of workplace accidents. We cannot take our foot off the pedal in terms of enforcement, inspection of workplaces and making awareness a top priority.”

Minister Killeen added: “while the statistics for workplace fatalities showed a decline last year at 50 overall, the trend so far this year is alarming. I am appealing to everyone in the workplace, whether as an employee or employer, to take care, be aware and prevent accidents”.

Commenting on the 2005 workplan, the Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, Tom Beegan, expressed his hope that this two pronged preventative and enforcement strategy would help reduce deaths and injuries in the workplace. “However, I am deeply concerned that 2005 has started out with 8 fatalities so far making it the worst January in a decade. We need employers and workers to see health and safety as a vital part of their working requirements and not some optional extra. The costs of failure both in human and commercial terms are immense. It saves money in the long run to put health and safety at the core of companies activities and we know it will save lives.”

ENDS/LA101

For more information contact: Tony Sutton, HSA Press Officer: (01) 6147068, 086 8036141