Accidents and illness costing business €300m
The chief executive of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland today said accidents and work-related illnesses through poor implementation of health and safety practices are costing Irish businesses at least €300m per annum.
John Dunne made the statement at a press conference in Dublin to launch a health and safety training initiative that seeks to tackle bad work practices and reduce costs for Irish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
The new programme, which is funded by the European Social Fund, is currently being piloted in 34 SMEs across the country and will be rolled-out amongst a further 300 early in 2005 through local chambers of commerce in Cork, Limerick, Dundalk, Monaghan, Galway, Athlone, Sligo, Dublin, Ennis and Shannon.
Mr Dunne said: “Over 117,800 persons suffered injury at work or occupational illness arising from work activities leading to cost of up to €316m for business in terms of absenteeism and increased insurance premiums."
