Minister Killeen expresses concern at high numbers of fatalities among non-national workers

Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen today (Thursday 20^th October 2005) said he was very concerned and disappointed at rising fatalities in the workplace.

Speaking at the Institute of Occupational, Health and Safety Conference in Limerick, Minister Killeen said “It is a matter of grave concern to me that this year has seen 57 people die already from accidents at work compared to 45 for the same period last year.”

“Another often-overlooked statistic but one, which carries profound implications for our changing workforce is the high number of workplace fatalities among non-nationals. This year eight non-nationals have died in work-related accidents in this country. What is clear is that the number of non-national fatalities is totally out of proportion to their involvement in the workforce” he added.

Continuing Minister Killeen said: “We cannot accept this situation. Employers now have a legal duty as prescribed in the new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, to provide training in a manner, form and language that is understood by workers. What is more, employers must satisfy themselves that their employees understand the safety instructions given.

“The Health and Safety Authority has been proactive in addressing this serious issue and I support their efforts. The Authority’s Safe System of Work Plan (SSWP) for Construction has been already translated into Turkish and Polish. The Authority will also be shortly launching a training DVD in ten languages. The Authority has also published safety booklets in a number of languages for foreign workers in horticulture.

“The new Safe System of Work Plan, which I recently launched, uses pictograms to convey hazards and outlines the appropriate controls that need to be put in place. I am proud to say that the system was recently awarded the innovation prize for good prevention practice in the in the Construction Industry at the recent world safety congress.

“While this new initiative has been aimed at the Construction sector initially it is fair to say that the increasing number of non-nationals working at all levels in the Irish workforce will mean a replication of such initiatives across various sectors of commercial activity.”

Referring to the new 2005 Act Minister Killeen said it’s primary focus is one of prevention. “Most accidents are preventable, most involve simple incidents which could be avoided. Yet the human and economic costs are high. It should be common sense to have a prevention culture,” he said.

“Our success will be marked by the way in which both employers and employees take the act to the heart of the workplace. This Act is a living thing, is must be sold, and enforced and implemented in the workplace on a daily basis.

“I appeal to all do more work to promote awareness of the need for a safe work environment which has benefits for workers, employers and for society generally”, the Minister concluded.

ENDS/LA 143