Written answers
Wednesday, 27 January 2021
Department of An Taoiseach
Health and Safety Inspections
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority inspections carried out in 2020 by NACE sector; and the number that were announced and unannounced, respectively by sector. [4395/21]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Between the 1 January 2020 and the 31December 2020, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) carried out 9,135 inspections across a wide range of NACE sectors. The number of inspections carried out in each sector is shown in the table attached.
2020 Sector breakdown of Inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Authority (Provisional)
| - | NACE SECTORS | INSPECTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| A | AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING | 836 |
| B | MINING AND QUARRYING | 92 |
| C | MANUFACTURING | 1075 |
| D | ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLY | 20 |
| E | WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE, WASTE MANAGMENT AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES | 117 |
| F | CONSTRUCTION | 3641 |
| G | WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES | 1981 |
| H | TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE | 565 |
| I | ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES | 186 |
| J | INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION | 14 |
| K | FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES | 4 |
| L | REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES | 14 |
| M | PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES | 134 |
| N | ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES | 66 |
| O | PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEFENCE; COMPULSORY SOCIAL SECURITY | 55 |
| P | EDUCATION | 4 |
| Q | HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES | 152 |
| R | ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION | 69 |
| S | OTHER SERVICE ACTIVITIES | 109 |
| T | ACTIVITIES OF HOUSEHOLDS AS EMPLOYERS; UNDIFFERENTIATED GOODS- AND SERVICES-PRODUCING ACTIVITIES OF HOUSEHOLDS FOR OWN USE | 0 |
| U | ACTIVITIES OF EXTRATERRITORIAL ORGANISATIONS AND BODIES | 1 |
HSA inspections are predominantly made without prior notification, however in some exceptional circumstances prior notification may be appropriate, for example:
- Where it would be necessary for security reasons, e.g. prisons and banks;
- Where persons required would be unlikely to be available, e.g., a visit to a hospital, a pre-arranged inspection may be more productive as it is more likely that essential people will be available;
- Where the duty holder must be contacted immediately following the receipt of a complaint.
- In relation to COVID-19, in support of Public Health management of an outbreak, advanced notification may be required for operational reasons.
The number of inspections that are announced by the HSA would be less than 5% of the overall number of inspections during 2020. Since announced inspections take place for the reasons above, the breakdown by individual sectors is not fully recorded and available on a sectoral basis.
Inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Authority at meat processing plants involves engagement with on-site personnel including management, health and safety advisors, COVID-19 Lead Worker Representatives, safety representatives and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Inspectors also liaise, pre and post-inspection, with the Chair of the relevant local Outbreak Control Team to ensure effective planning and feedback.
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