Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the increase in the number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents in the construction sector during 2007; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of construction accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23958/08]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the 34% increase in the number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents during 2007; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of workplace accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23957/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace accidents and the number of workplace fatalities recorded to date in 2008; the way this compares with the same period in each year from 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23959/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 44 and 48 together.

The number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents during 2007 was 67 compared to 51 in 2006. Of these, 18 occurred in the construction sector in 2007, an increase of 5 on the 2006 figures.

In terms of injuries, there were over 7,000 non-fatal work injuries overall reported to the Health and Safety Authority (Authority) which has operational responsibility for promoting health and safety in the workplace, in 2007. The most common non-fatal accident triggers for all sectors were handling, lifting and carrying (34%), and slips, trips and falls (18%). These have repeatedly been the two most common categories every year since 2000. However, there has been a steady decrease in the number of injuries reported to the Authority each year since 2004.

There have been 30 workplace deaths reported to the Authority so far in 2008. For the first six months in each of the following years the figures are 36 in 2007, 24 in 2006, 32 in 2005, 24 in 2004, 38 in 2003 and 25 in 2002. 2008 showed signs of improvement but April was a particularly bad month with 10 workplace deaths, 4 of which were in construction and 3 in agriculture. The last time such a high figure was recorded in a single month was January 2007. Construction and agriculture are consistently the most dangerous areas in which to work with 19 of the 30 deaths so far this year attributed to these sectors.

To date in 2008, a total of 2,894 non-fatal accidents, resulting in absence of more than three days from normal work, were reported to the Authority across all sectors. This compares to 3,865 non-fatal accidents reported in the first six months of 2007, 4,001 for the same period in 2006, 3,841 for the same period in 2005, 3,419 for the same period in 2004, 2,096 for the same period in 2003 and 1,823 for the same period in 2002.

It is important to remember that it is not the State which delivers safety at work. Safe Workplaces can only be delivered by those who work in them. Responsibility for Safety at Work rests ultimately on the shoulders of employers and employees. That said, I am on record as having voiced the Government's concerns at the increase in fatalities both generally and in the construction sector. The Health and Safety Authority shares those concerns and continues to focus its inspection and awareness campaigns on construction and other high-risk sectors. Also, the Authority continues to work with employer and employee organisations to make workplace safety, health and welfare an integral part of doing business in every workplace.

Based on its own risk assessment, it is prioritising the high-risk sectors of agriculture, construction, transportation and storage, mines and quarries. In relation to the construction sector, the Authority has plans to carry out 7,000 construction site inspections in 2008. Also, it will continue to implement the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 and the Safe System of Work Plan (SSWP).

The Authority, following consultation with its stakeholders, has launched a comprehensive Construction Safety Code of Practice for Contractors with Three or Less Employees, which is a further tool in advocating safe practice in the workplace. I also understand that a Code of Practice on scaffolding safety is due for publication shortly and the Authority also has plans to develop, consult on and publish codes of practice on construction anchors, pre-cast concrete and roof work in 2008.

In addition to this, I formally launched the Construction Safety Partnership Plan 2008-2010 on Tuesday, 17th June 2008. The Construction Safety Partnership (CSP) includes representatives of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and other relevant agencies and Government Departments and its overall aim is to achieve the highest possible standard of safety health and welfare in Irish construction.