Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 62: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the high worker fatality rates in the transport sector; the number of workers who have died in the transport sector in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; if her Department will undertake an urgent review of the incidence of work fatalities in the transport sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17344/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am concerned at the level of fatalities in the transport and storage sector. The Health and Safety Authority, which shares my concerns, continues to work with this sector to reduce accident rates and improve the health and safety of all those involved.

The number of workers who have died in the transport and storage sector in accidents involving vehicles in and around workplaces was — 2005 — 5; 2006 — 4; 2007 — 8; 2008 to date — 3. In addition, approximately 1,000 work-related non-fatal injuries are reported to the Authority each year from the transport and storage sector.

The most common workplace transport accidents involve people being hit by vehicles, people falling from vehicles, objects falling from vehicles and vehicles toppling over.

The Health and Safety Authority works closely with other bodies which have responsibilities in relation to transport safety. These include the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.

As part of its high priority work programme activities for 2008, the Health and Safety Authority aims to influence a sustained reduction in fatal and major accidents related to workplace transport safety through a programme of information provision, awareness raising and targeted enforcement.

As part of the focus on workplace transport safety, the Health and Safety Authority has commissioned research to establish a baseline for compliance with safety provisions in Ireland and to examine the practices and attitudes of employers and employees relating to workplace transport safety. Results of the research will be used to shape the Authority's approach for the coming years.

This Autumn, the Health and Safety Authority will be launching a Workplace Transport Safety Campaign, to raise awareness of the importance of managing the risk in this high risk area. The high priority programme will see the Health and Safety Authority's inspectors carrying out 500 targeted inspections, which will focus on workplace transport safety management practices.