Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Role and Operation of the Health and Safety Authority: Discussion

Mr. Mark Cullen:

That is a growing area and there is a major scheme for schools to have solar panels fitted. Working at height is the number one cause of fatalities. We have engaged with different stakeholders to try to raise awareness of that. That would come in primarily under the construction sector where they are making alterations to structure. The construction team within the authority, led by the senior inspector there, is engaged with key stakeholders to get ahead of the curve and get information out there. Working at height has been an issue since I joined the authority 24 years ago. There is a lot of information, support and advice in that respect. We will have an inspection programme looking at solar panel installation.