Health and Safety Authority reports record number of inspections and lowest fatality numbers in 20 years

22 June 2010

The Minister for Labour Affairs and Public Service Transformation, Dara Calleary TD, today launched the Health and Safety Authority Annual Report for 2009.

Last year there were 43 reported fatal accidents, the lowest number reported since the establishment of the Authority in 1989. There was also a decrease in the number of non-fatal accidents reported (6,707 compared to 8,390 in 2008).

Minister Calleary cautiously welcomed the overall reductions but said work must continue to further reduce accidents. “The reduction in workplace deaths during 2009 is welcome but there were still 43 people who lost their lives as a result of work activity. I believe that further reductions can be achieved by continuing to increase awareness and simplifying compliance.”

Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said that there was a specific emphasis on support in the inspection programme for 2009. “The main focus of our inspections is to help workplaces improve health and safety standards with the overall goal of reducing accidents. The vast majority of employers and employees want this.”

He continued, “Our inspectors provided written advice and guidance to thousands of organisations during the year. Where we found employers willing to improve we provided assistance. However, enforcement action was taken as appropriate against those showing disregard for worker safety, health and welfare.”

The report showed that during 2009 the Authority conducted 18,451 workplace inspections, an increase of 15% on the numbers carried out in 2008.

Jim Lyons, Chairman of the Health and Safety Authority, said that the Authority is aware of the difficulties facing business, “These are undoubtedly challenging times for employers and employees and we have all had to find new ways to make efficient use of our resources. We cannot compromise on the health safety and welfare of workers regardless of the economic situation.”

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For additional information contact Mark Ryan, HSA Press Officer, (086) 8036141 or (01) 6147068.

2009 Annual report – Key points

In 2009 the Authority carried out 18,451 inspections (16,009 inspections in 2008, representing 15% increase).

6,874 written advices during inspection, 1,140 responses to requests for information and 302 responses to Land Use Planning queries.

Enforcement powers were applied in 11% of inspections.

6 Codes of practice were developed and 13 guidance documents were prepared across a range of sectors.

Increased focus on REACH enforcement activity in 2009.

Authority carried out lead role as National Competent Authority under the Chemicals Act 2008.

Workplace Contact Unit handled over 22,000 calls.

44 files were sent to the DPP and 38 prosecutions were completed in 2009 with fines totalling €708,850 imposed.

The first prosecution on indictment under Section 80 of the 2005 Act (relating to the liability of directors and officers of an undertaking) was successfully concluded.

Our Transition Year Unit was accepted by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) for inclusion in the curriculum.

The development of Work Positive initiatives to manage workplace stress with participating companies from five sectors.

The Chemical Policy & Services Division carried out the lead role as the national Competent Authority under the Chemicals Act 2008 for a range of chemical legislation including REACH, Detergents and Export-Import Regulations.

A total of 472 inspections were conducted, covering all major accident hazards sites covered by the COMAH Regulations and other high-risk workplaces storing and using large quantities of dangerous chemicals.

Our draft Statement of Strategy 2010 to 2012 was produced after full consultation across the Authority and with external parties.

We participated in the European Working Group with responsibility for developing the European Scoreboard Report 2009 to assess progress against the European Health and Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012.

The Authority operated within its agreed budgets.

All legislative proposals were assessed in terms of their impact on health and safety and a range of other impacts, and the costs and benefits associated with compliance and enforcement.

Fatal Injury statistics

43 fatalities reported compared to 57 in 2008 (down 25%) The worker fatality rate mirrored this downward trend at 2 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Both the number of fatalities and the worker fatality rate are the lowest recorded since the Authority began its work in 1989.

The Construction and Agriculture sectors continue to have the highest number and rates of fatalities. However, both the rate and the number of fatalities in the Agriculture sector have declined, the latter by almost 50% (11) since 2008. Construction fatalities fell by a third from 15 in 2008 to 10 in 2009, although an increase in the fatality rate is evident.

One of the biggest shifts in trends in 2009 saw the percentage of fatalities involving the self-employed fall from 39% (22) in 2008 to 16% (7) of all fatalities in 2009.

Loss of control of means of transport or handling equipment emerged as the most common trigger of fatal accidents in 2009. Analysis of the accident circumstances suggests that 18 of the 2009 fatalities involved vehicle activity of some sort (42%). Fourteen of these deaths occurred in the workplace. Four were work related road incidents, 3 of these involved driving for work and 1 was classified as working on or near a road. All 18 incidents involved males.