New rules bid to cut building site accidents

The Government today outlined strict new rules designed to cut the number of deaths and injuries on building sites.

According to the Health and Safety Authority, 23 people died in accidents in the construction sector last year and so far this year nine workers have been killed.

Foreign workers are the most at risk, three times more likely to be killed.

Launching the new code, Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen said the Government had to take responsibility for protecting vulnerable employees.

“We have a duty of care to over 240,000 workers who are supporting one of our most important and vibrant sectors of our economy,” he said.

And he urged employers: “Think about the safety of workers at all stages of projects and allow enough time and make sure adequate resources are in place.

“Above all, be sure that lives are not jeopardised by over-zealous commercial interests.”

Figures from the Central Statistics Office showed output in the construction sector has risen 80% since 2000 to a value of almost €32bn last year. Construction workers, of which there are 240,000, now make up 12% of the country’s workforce.

Alarmingly 23 people were killed in accidents on construction sites in 2005 making it second only to the farming sector as the most dangerous place to work. Injury rates are also well above average.

Under the new code, Safety, Health and Welfare (Construction) Regulations 2006 supervisors will have to be in place at various stages of work, safety advisers must be in place at sites were more than 100 people are employed, visibility aids must be used by vehicles and contractors will have to meet new guidelines for use of explosives and road works.

Mr Killeen added: “I want to see all levels of the industry work together to make one of our most important sectors one of the safest in which to work. Let’s keep our industry healthy in all aspects.”

Research estimates the cost of work-related accidents and ill-health could be as much as €3.6bn a year. Lost output is prudently estimated to be €1.8bn, whilst insurance costs are approximately €1.2bn.

But experts warn under-reporting of minor accidents and the availability of relevant and reliable data in Ireland mean these figures are rather conservative and under-estimate the true costs of accidents and ill-health.