Workplace safety breaches 'could see bosses jailed'

Company directors and bosses were today warned they face imprisonment over poor health and safety standards for workers.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) issued the stark caution as it emerged 59 people have died in workplace accidents already this year.

Another 6,000 non-fatal incidents have been reported to the authorities since January.

Martin O’Halloran, HSA chief executive officer, said directors and senior management needed to be aware that they can now be convicted over health and safety offences.

“Anyone convicted of a serious breach of the legislation could face a fine of up to €3m or two years imprisonment,” he said.

Mr O’Halloran was launching a new booklet – Guidance for Directors and Senior Managers on their Responsibilities for Workplace Safety and Health – to drive home the message.

“The 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act marked a new departure for health and safety in the workplace,” he said.

“An important element of that legislation is the new responsibilities it imposes on company directors and senior managers, who can now be held personally responsible for organisational breaches of health and safety law.

“Improving health and safety practices needs the input of senior management. Health and safety policy has to be embedded at the most senior levels of an organisation,” he added.

The new guide will be accompanied by a nationwide advertising campaign in the press, radio and internet.

Dr Peter Claffey, HSA programme manager, added that the regulations apply to directors and bosses of all organisations regardless of type or size.

“The Authority strives to work in partnership with business to improve workplace health and safety. However, where we find serious breaches of the law we will have no hesitation in taking the appropriate action,” he warned.

“Senior managers and directors have clear legal responsibilities and the consequences of ignoring these are significant.”