Dr. Sharon McGuinness:

I will try to take the Deputy's questions in the order she asked them. There is already a requirement on employers in all workplaces to provide PPE if it is required. It is provided in accordance with the hazard facing the worker and the worker must be trained in how to use it properly and how to remove it. That is a general health and safety requirement. It is up to the employer in each workplace to ensure adequate supplies of PPE are available, as required.

The language issue has been raised in certain areas. It is something we have addressed in the past and it is something that could be considered. That is something we could bring back to the consultative forum, which will meet later this week. The forum's resources and its cross-body nature are fundamental, as we need such a cross-body effort. We will bring all of the findings together. The consultative forum will not only take account of any changing health measures but also anything we find on the ground, including if particular sectors are at issue or we feel some of the advice needs to be modified. All those issues will be raised and taken into account at the consultative forum. We get an input from the various bodies that are involved in inspections.

In terms of a breach of safety, as I stated, we have improvement notices and prohibition notices. The latter, in particular, stops work activity, which is a deterrent. It can also stop part of a work activity so it may not close down an entire site. There are different steps involved. In general, the steps in any inspection very much involve advice and support and ensuring people can comply and know how to bring about compliance. We can give advice in written form following an inspection and give general guidance on when issues need to be addressed.

That needs to be done. Improvement and prohibition notices have more legal basis and can be followed up appropriately within a legal context. As I have said, these should allow employers to put measures in place to rectify matters as quickly as possible.