IOSH Welcomes Ireland’s New Health And Safety Authority Strategy
The Republic of Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) has just released (Friday 25 January) its Strategy Statement 2013-2015, which outlines a work programme to reduce occupational injury, illness and fatalities in Ireland.
It also carries vital backing from Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton on the economic importance of health and safety, suggesting that it, “...makes good business sense, aids competitiveness, improves relations with workers and is, in fact, central to successful enterprise”.
IOSH fully supports the document, saying that the strategy can also help cut the number of deaths in Ireland’s workplaces, particularly the high levels suffered in agriculture and fishing.
IOSH Ireland Branch chair Michelle Peate-Morgan said:
“We welcome the Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) new three-year strategy and Minister Richard Bruton’s comment that health and safety is central to successful enterprise. The strategy can help to reduce the number of fatalities in our workplaces, particularly in the wake of worrying agriculture and fishing deaths in Ireland in recent years.”
The Institution also supports the HSA’s aim to promote real, sensible health and safety, and its bid to combat inaccurate accounts and media myths that undermine it.
Ms Peate-Morgan added:
“At IOSH, like the HSA, we are concerned by the constant trivialisation and negative portrayal of health and safety, as it undermines the real and very serious aim of saving lives. The report mentions that in 2010, failures in this area cost the Irish economy €3.2 billion and led to more than a million lost work days. This highlights the sound business case for good health and safety, complementing the compelling legal and moral argument.”
In the strategy, the HSA also emphasises the link between good health and safety and sustainable business, outlining a commitment to helping small businesses.
Commenting further, Ms Peate-Morgan said,
“We’re pleased to see the support promised to SMEs, as often these companies are hard to reach, especially family-run agriculture and fishing businesses. At IOSH, we’re also seeking to raise awareness and improve education, promoting the message that health and safety improves efficiency and productivity. On the other hand, as well as the terrible human toll of injury, ill-health and death, workplace accidents can also be the difference between business survival and failure.”
In his foreword to the document, Minister Bruton highlights the key role the HSA plays in ensuring workers’ safe return home to their families after the working day. And within the strategy statement, the Authority emphasises its need for the necessary allocation of resources to perform its essential role.
Ms Peate-Morgan echoed that call saying:
“The HSA performs a vital social and economic role for Ireland, delivering health and safety regulation, protection, improvement and education. And with around 1,800 members working across all sectors in Ireland, IOSH is pleased to contribute to the achievement of the strategy vision.”
To help with that aim, the Institution is calling for representation from professional bodies, such as IOSH, on the HSA Board.
IOSH also applauded the HSA’s promise to maintain construction inspection levels to prevent any loss of improved standards and also its focus on promoting risk management education for students.
You can go to the website of the Health And Safety Authority of Ireland by clicking the logo above.
Download the strategy document from the E-Library database using the key word 'Eire' here
Source: IOSH
