Attention at the Forum for the Construction Industry should be focused on safety in the workplace, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, said yesterday. Speaking at a conference on health and safety organised by the Navan Chamber of Commerce, the Minister referred to mounting fatalities on building sites this year. He said the forum had established sub-committees and task forces to act on recommendations.
It would also compile an annual report on the implementation of the recommendations.
"However, because I'm so concerned at the mounting level of fatalities on building sites this year, I've written to the chairman of the forum asking that priority attention be given to the safety aspect and that a progress report be submitted to me well in advance of the main end-year report," the Minister said.
The key to improving safety was not only intensifying Health and Safety Authority inspections, but ensuring that all involved in construction took responsibility for health and safety, he said.
The Minister said there had been 16 fatal accidents this year, while more than 300 non-fatal accidents had been reported to the HSA to the end of August.
"It is also unacceptable that a large proportion of building-site accidents are not reported to the HSA, as required by law," he said.
He added that the annual cost of workplace accidents was up to £2.6 billion. The sad thing was that all the trouble and expense associated with workplace accidents could largely be avoided with a little thought and care.