Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Health and Safety Authority that some small enterprises were developing a culture of risk taking, leading to industrial accidents and deaths; the steps he intends to take to combat this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18032/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Based on information obtained by the Health and Safety Authority from the Revenue Commissioners, there are about 113,000 registered businesses in Ireland with fewer than ten employees and a further 18,000 businesses with between ten and 49 employees. In addition, there are 114,000 people working in agriculture and forestry, many being self-employed. Given their size and the fact that many are family-run, these workplaces are least likely to have formal management processes, including basic safety management practices, in place, yet such workplaces may be exposed to potentially greater risk than larger more formal enterprises where compliance with occupational safety and health provisions is better managed.

During 2004, the Health and Safety Authority carried out 6,342 inspections in workplaces having 15 employees or fewer, representing 71% of total inspections for the year. It is disturbing to learn that 37% of the companies inspected had not complied fully with the safety statements requirements.

The safety statement is a key provision of both existing legislation and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004 which is before Seanad Éireann where Committee Stage recently concluded. It involves the essence of safety management in that in the preparatory work employers must identify hazards and assess the risks presented by any hazards in the place of work. Having done so, every employer must prepare a safety statement which also sets out the protective and preventive measures necessary. The bulk of safety management revolves around this process and it is therefore of vital importance that there is 100% compliance with the safety statement requirement.

Taking account of the practical difficulties faced by many small employers in meeting the safety statement requirements, the Bill provides a basis whereby employers employing three persons or fewer can, in future, comply with the safety statement obligations if they meet the requirements of such relevant sectoral or other code or codes of practice as may be published by the Health and Safety Authority.