Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the significant 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. [44909/08]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace accidents and workplace fatalities recorded to date in 2008; the way this compares with the same period in each year from 2002; if she is satisfied that all accidents are reported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44910/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 117: 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. [44908/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 98 and 117 together.

I refer the Deputies to my answer on Thursday, 20th November 2008 to Questions Nos. 43, 51 & 52 that relate to the same matters.

The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated statutory provisions. There have been 54 workplace deaths reported to the Authority so far in 2008 (as at 04.12.08). For the first 11 months of this year, there were 54 workplace deaths.

For the first 11 months of previous years, the figures are: 63 in 2007, 44 in 2006, 70 in 2005, 49 in 2004, 65 in 2003, and 51 in 2002.

The number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents during 2007 was 67 compared to 51 in 2006 with a considerable amount of this increase being accounted for by a number of fishing accidents.

Construction and agriculture are consistently the highest risk sectors in which to work, based on the number of fatalities. Of the 67 fatalities in the year 2007, 18 occurred in the construction sector. This was an increase of 5 fatal accidents on the 2006 figure. The construction sector ranked third in relation to fatality rates, at 5 per 100,000 workers, in 2007. This figure is higher than the rate of 4.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2006 (the lowest recorded rate for the sector) but maintains the general downward trend in the fatality rate seen since 2002.

Non-fatal accidents, resulting in absence of more than three days from normal work following the accident, are required to be reported to the Authority. There have been 6,804 non-fatal accidents reported to the Authority so far in 2008 (as at 04.12.08).

There were 7,757 non-fatal work related accidents reported to the Health and Safety Authority in 2007. This compares with nearly 8,000 for 2006, 8,104 for 2005, 8,453 for 2004, 6,622 for 2003, and 7,746 for 2002.

It is not possible to be satisfied that all accidents at workplaces are reported but I am not aware that the Authority has come across evidence that suggests under reporting of workplace accidents resulting in fatalities.

The Health and Safety Authority is carrying out a programme of 17,500 targeted and random workplace inspections in 2008. The inspection programme is targeted on the basis of risk, relevant accident triggers, levels of compliance and specific identified workplace trends. In relation to the construction sector, I am informed that the Authority has carried out over 6,700 construction inspections to date in 2008. Also, it continues to implement the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 and the Safe System of Work Plan (SSWP).

Recognising the two highest risk areas, the Health and Safety Authority has a particular focus on the agricultural and construction sectors. Earlier this year, I formally launched the Construction Safety Partnership Plan. On the agriculture side, I attended and addressed the first All Island Farm Safety Conference in Monaghan in June of this year. This conference was co-hosted by the Health and Safety Authority along with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).

I have encouraged the Authority to continue and develop its partnership with Teagasc and to follow through on the development and distribution of the Farm Safety Code of Practice which was distributed to 160,000 farm households in December 2006.

Safe workplaces can ultimately only be delivered by those who work in them. Day to day responsibility for safety at work rests on the shoulders of employers and employees. The Health and Safety Authority in carrying out its inspection function spends a lot of its time advising as to safety at work and safe systems of work. In general, this advice is well received and only where there is a failure to comply with the Authority's advice or a real and immediate threat to health and safety does the Authority commence enforcement procedures.

The Authority, also in its advocacy role, publishes guidelines, codes of practice and other advice on safety on a regular basis as well as organising sectoral seminars or conferences to promote the occupational safety and health message. These activities, as well as the information on the Authority's website, should be heeded by all those in the workplace in order to improve our safety record.