Minister Bruton launches HSA Annual Report and Statistics Summary
Tuesday 26th June
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, has today (Tuesday 26th) launched the 2011 Annual Report and Statistics Summary of the Health and Safety Authority.
During 2011 there were 32 prosecutions for health and safety breaches with penalties including five suspended sentences and €819,700 in fines imposed.
The Authority carried out 15,340 inspections and investigations with 7% of them resulting in formal enforcement action.
Loss of control of vehicles and/or machinery was the most common cause of workplace deaths (15 in 2011).
Manual handling related injuries continue to account for approximately one third of the 6,956 non-fatal injuries reported with slips, trips and falls (17%) being the next most common.
Launching the reports, Minister Bruton said:
“The Authority has used its constrained resources in areas that need them the most and during 2011 continued to target sectors with high injury rates; however I am very concerned about the continued rise in workplace fatalities. Every workplace fatality is avoidable and represents a terrible tragedy for a family and a community. Combating workplace fatalities represents a huge challenge for both the HSA and employers and I will continue to assist them in any way I can".
Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the Authority, said that, “Our essential belief is that nobody’s health and safety should be harmed by work activity. We know, from our accident investigations that many of the 54 fatal accidents reported last year were preventable. While some work can be hazardous, good health and safety practice does save lives. Those companies which are successful in protecting the safety, health and welfare of their staff are also successful in business.”
The Chairman of the Health and Safety Authority, Michael Horgan, said that 2011 was a year of significant achievements, “Last year we have engaged a number of programmes designed to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses and lessen the administrative burden. We are sure that these initiatives will make a real difference by helping employers and employees to better manage and understand workplace health and safety.”
