HSA publishes work programme and inspection targets for 2017

2nd February 2017

Minister Breen welcomes focus on workers most at risk

The Health and Safety Authority has today published its ‘Programme of Work for 2017’ providing details of planned actions, priorities and inspection targets for the year.

The reduction of workplace fatalities in all sectors remains a priority and the Authority will carry out a wide range of enforcement, prevention and support activity during 2017.

This year there are a total of 11,220 workplace inspections and investigations planned. There will be 4,000 construction site inspections with a focus on preventing accidents involving self-employed workers and small sized contractors.

The agriculture sector will also receive significant attention with 2,000 farm inspections planned. There will be a continued emphasis on promoting safety on farms through participation in knowledge-sharing and discussion groups. An updated Farm Safety Code of Practice will also be published.

A key theme of the Authority’s safety and health programme will be new and returning workers. This group has been identified by an ESRI study as being four times more likely to experience a workplace injury than those with a tenure of over five years. During the course of inspections issues such as training, induction and supervision will be addressed.

Statistics from the CSO show that work-related illness now represents more days lost across the whole economy than work-related injury. There will be an emphasis on work-related health activities including the promotion of positive mental health and reduction of work-related stress. The Authority will also continue to contribute to the Government’s ‘Healthy Ireland’ initiative.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) Regulation and the European Commission will finalise its review. The Authority plans to hold a joint conference with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to recognise this milestone.

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD, whose brief includes workplace safety and health welcomed the Authority’s approach:

“All workers have the right to have their safety, health and welfare protected while carrying out their duties. Thankfully we saw a reduction in fatal accidents last year, with 44 reported the second lowest number on record. Now it is important to build on any success achieved and focus on areas of concern, such as the continued high rate of injury on farms. I also find it alarming that so many serious and fatal injuries, regardless of sector, involve the self-employed. They along with new and returning workers are what I would call ‘vulnerable groups’ and there is a strong focus in the Authority’s work programme on those that are most at risk.”

Speaking about the challenges and opportunities associated with Brexit, Martin O’Halloran Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority said:

“As a result of the decision of the United Kingdom to end its membership of the European Union we anticipate significant work will have to be done in two areas where we have responsibilities. There will be changes to the legislation covering the placement and movement of chemicals on the EU market and an increased demand for accreditation of laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies. We will be using our position on various EU committees and working groups to ensure that Ireland maximises its influence.”

Copies of the ‘HSA Programme of Work for 2017’ are available to download from www.hsa.ie.

Ends

For further information contact Mark Ryan, HSA Press Officer: 01 6147068 / 086 8036141

Photo Editors

Photographs available from Jason Clarke Photography

Editors Notes

About the HSA

The Authority was established in 1989 under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 and reports to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The Authority has a number of major roles:

• The national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that all workers (employed and self-employed) and those affected by work activity are protected from work related injury and ill-health.
• The lead National Competent Authority for a number of chemicals regulations including REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation and Seveso II Directive.
• A key agency involved in market surveillance and ensuring the safety of products used in workplaces and consumer applications.
• The national body with responsibility for the accreditation of laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies. It provides accreditation in accordance with the relevant International Organisation for Standardisation ISO 17000 series of standards and guides.

New and returning workers

‘Trends and Patterns in Occupational Health and Safety in Ireland’ (pg. 47-48) research carried out by the ESRI on behalf of the HSA and published in May 2015. The research indicated that risk factors increase for those in their job less than a year. In fact they were four times more likely to have an accident than more experienced workers.

Work-related illness accounts for more days lost than injury

‘Summary of Workplace injury, illness and Fatality Statistics 2014 – 2015’ (pg. 6-7)

Inspection and Investigation Programme 2017

Investigations

It is estimated that the Authority will initiate approximately 700 investigations in 2017.

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