Health and Safety Authority sets out Programme of Work for 2008 
Friday 18th January 2008

The Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Billy Kelleher T.D., was at the headquarters of the Health and Safety Authority today (18th January) to launch the programme of work for 2008. The programme sets out the key priorities and activities of the Authority and targets a 10% increase in the number of workplace inspections this year to 17,500.

Speaking at the launch Minster Kelleher said, "I welcome this multi-faceted approach taken by the Authority. It is not just about inspections and enforcement, it is also about advocacy and preventative methods. The programme of work for this year is a substantial one but I believe the Authority can achieve its ultimate goal of safer workplaces for all and a national culture of excellence in workplace safety, health and welfare for Ireland."
The Authority is planning an inspection programme that includes sectors that might not have been the focus of inspection activity in the past. Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority said, "We will carry out more inspections in sectors this year that were not targeted as much in previous years, including hotels, restaurants and financial services institutions."

The Health and Safety Authority will continue its campaign to raise awareness amongst directors and senior managers of their legal responsibilities. New codes of practice and up-to-date guidance will be published providing advice to employers and employees particularly in the high risk sectors the Authority intends to focus on. With the intended increase in inspections the amount of enforcement action taken by the Authority is also expected to rise.

Mr. O’Halloran stated, "Of the thousands of inspections carried out last year, we gave written or verbal advice approximately 75% of the time and this policy will continue. However, where we find serious and consistent breaches of legislation we will take the appropriate action."

Amongst the priorities for 2008 is a research programme investigating the reasons for higher rates of injury amongst non-Irish national workers who consistently display higher rates of injury than Irish workers.  Following on from this the Authority will target sectors employing large numbers of non-Irish national workers for intervention.