Written answers
Thursday, 23 March 2006
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Accidents in the Workplace
5:00 pm
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Question 55: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of deaths and injuries arising from workplace accidents generally and specifically in regard to the construction industry for 2005; the way in which these figures compare with 2004 and 2003; the figures to date in 2006; the additional steps he intends to take to reduce such accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11279/06]
Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Figures published by the Health and Safety Authority show that 72 work related deaths were reported to it in 2005 compared to 50 in 2004 and 65 in 2003. There were 23 construction related fatalities in 2005 compared to 16 in 2004 and 17 in 2003. Of the 23 fatalities in 2005, 21 were employees, one was a member of the public and another was a non-construction worker.
In the period 1 January to 22 March 2006, eight workplace fatalities were reported to the Health and Safety Authority. These comprised four in agriculture, two in manufacturing industry and one each in construction and transport.
On injuries arising from workplace accidents generally, to date, a total of 8,095 non-fatal accidents, resulting in absence of more than three days from normal work, was reported to the authority across all sectors for 2005. Of these, 1,627 related to the construction sector. In the period 1 January to 22 March 2006, 1,320 non-fatal accidents were reported to the Health and Safety Authority, including 320 in construction and 309 in manufacturing.
I include a tabular statement on workplace fatal and non-fatal reported accidents and rates and comparisons. There are over 200,000 workplaces in Ireland and, to make best use of its resources, the authority is once again prioritising a number of sectors for attention. These include the high risk sectors of agriculture, construction, mines and quarries. Key actions in these sectors will include a major national road-show which will visit a minimum of 5,000 construction workers; the development of a farm "safety village" at the World Ploughing Championships; the publication of codes of practice tailored to those employing three or less in the agriculture, quarrying and construction sectors; an effective inspection programme targeting key risks; a series of construction briefings targeting managers and designers on the new construction regulations, including information on vibration, noise, work at height, underground services, roof work and cranes; research into the issues involved in the employment of non-English-speaking workers.
The rate of deaths and injuries in Irish workplaces is unacceptable and a range of approaches is necessary to secure and maintain a significant improvement. There are considerable responsibilities on all parties in the workplace and the issue of safety can only be corrected by dedicated efforts by all those involved in day to day operations.
I repeat my appeal to all parties to do more work to promote awareness of the need for a safe work environment which has benefits for workers, employers and for society generally and which will engender a safety culture.
Comparison 2003-2005: Number of Fatalities | ||||
Economic Sector | Number of fatalities | Total in sector | ||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | ||
A — Agriculture, hunting and forestry | 19 | 13 | 18 | 50 |
B — Fishing | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
C — Mining and quarrying | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7 |
D — Manufacturing | 6 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
E — Electricity / gas / water | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
F — Construction | 17 | 16 | 23 | 55 |
G — Wholesale/retail trade; repair of goods | 5 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
H — Hotels and restaurants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
I — Transport, storage and communication | 7 | 6 | 4 | 17 |
J — Financial intermediation | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
K — Real estate, renting, business | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
L — Public Admin / Defence | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
M — Education | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
N — Health / social work | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
O — Other community, social and personal services | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Total | 65 | 50 | 72 | 187 |
Number of Reported Fatalities 1 January to 22 March 2006 | |
Economic Sector | 2006 (1/1 to 22/3) |
A — Agriculture, hunting and forestry | 4 |
B — Fishing | |
C — Mining and quarrying | |
D — Manufacturing | 2 |
E — Electricity / gas / water | |
F — Construction | 1 |
G — Wholesale/retail trade; repair of goods | |
H — Hotels and restaurants | |
I — Transport, storage and communication | 1 |
J — Financial intermediation | |
K — Real estate, renting, business | |
L — Public Admin / Defence | |
M — Education | |
N — Health / social work | |
O — Other community, social and personal services | |
Total | 8 |
Comparison 2003-2005: Rate of Fatalities | |||
Economic Sector | Rate of fatalities | ||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | |
A-B | 12.3 | 12.6 | 14.1 |
C-E | 3.0 | 1.0 | 4.1 |
F | 6.4 | 7.9 | 8.7 |
G | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
H | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
I | 5.4 | 5.3 | 3.4 |
J-K | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
L | 4.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
M | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
N | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
O | 4.2 | 1.9 | 1.7 |
Total | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.3 |
Comparison 2003-2005: Number of Reported Injuries | |||
Economic Sector | Number of reported injuries | ||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | |
A — Agriculture, hunting and forestry | 60 | 103 | 107 |
B — Fishing | 3 | 5 | 14 |
C — Mining and quarrying | 67 | 50 | 99 |
D — Manufacturing | 1,932 | 2009 | 1,852 |
E — Electricity / gas / water | 61 | 62 | 37 |
F — Construction | 1,117 | 1,514 | 1,627 |
G — Wholesale/retail trade; repair of goods | 727 | 937 | 745 |
H — Hotels and restaurants | 58 | 112 | 159 |
I — Transport, storage and communication | 911 | 1066 | 1,042 |
J — Financial intermediation | 152 | 217 | 142 |
K — Real estate, renting, business | 145 | 194 | 208 |
L — Public Admin / Defence | 984 | 944 | 852 |
M — Education | 80 | 94 | 90 |
N — Health / social work | 679 | 940 | 966 |
O — Other community, social and personal services | 191 | 195 | 155 |
Total | 7,167 | 8,442 | 8,095 |
Number of Reported Injuries 1 January to 22 March 2006 | |
Economic Sector | 2006 (1/1 to 22/3) |
A — Agriculture, hunting and forestry | 13 |
B — Fishing | 1 |
C — Mining and quarrying | 16 |
D — Manufacturing | 309 |
E — Electricity / gas / water | 5 |
F — Construction | 320 |
G — Wholesale/retail trade; repair of goods | 113 |
H — Hotels and restaurants | 23 |
I — Transport, storage and communication | 195 |
J — Financial intermediation | 22 |
K — Real estate, renting, business | 26 |
L — Public Admin / Defence | 87 |
M — Education | 14 |
N — Health / social work | 137 |
O — Other community, social and personal services | 39 |
Total | 1,320 |
No comments