Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace accidents and workplace deaths recorded in each year from 2002 to 2008 and to date in 2009; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of such accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44616/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As at 30.11.09, there have been 37 workplace deaths reported to the Health and Safety Authority. In the years 2002-2008, the numbers were as follows - 57 in 2008; 67 in 2007; 51 in 2006; 74 in 2005; 50 in 2004; 68 in 2003, and 61 in 2002.

Non-fatal accidents, resulting in an absence of more than three days from normal work following the accident, are required to be reported to the Authority. There have been 5,850 non-fatal work related accidents reported to the Authority to date in 2009 (as at 30.11.09). There were 6,998 in 2008, 7,816 in 2007, 7,844 in 2006, 8,104 in 2005, 8,453 in 2004, 6,622 in 2003, and 7,746 in 2002. These figures add up to a lot of pain and loss for those involved and their immediate families and dependants and also to significant lost productivity.

Many accidents are preventable. Many occur because of lack of thought as to safety of oneself or others. The basic procedures as regards workplace safety are often ignored. These relate to the identifying and assessment of risk followed by the putting in place of a system to minimise that risk.

In 2008, 75% of employers inspected had a safety statement prepared and 53% of the assessed safety statements were in full or broad compliance.

Workplaces can ultimately only be made safe by those who control and work in them. The State's involvement is via the Health and Safety Authority which is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the occupational health and safety code.

Its current Programme of Work, which lists a comprehensive range of activities to help make workplaces safer, contains a good balance between prevention, advice and enforcement and, to date this year, the programme is being implemented on schedule.

It is planned to continue in this vein in 2010 with a focus on the high-risk sectors of agriculture and construction.