Calls to teach health and safety at school

INTRODUCING safety and health education into schools could make the single biggest difference to keeping the next generation safe at work, according to Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen, who addressed the awards ceremony of a pilot safety programme in schools run by the Health and Safety Authority.

Mr Killeen presented certificates to post-Junior Cert students and teachers in 15 post-primary schools which participated in the training and roll-out of a safety and health module.

There are more than 300,000 workers aged between 15 and 24 in the Irish workforce, according to the CSO. European research shows that young workers are 50% more likely to have an accident at work than their older counterparts.

Speaking at the presentation in Ennis, Mr Killeen said: “We need to bring the safety message into every level of education so that it’s the first thing we think of no matter what activity we’re about to undertake. If we have the skills to identify hazards, assess the risk and do something about it, then we’re significantly reducing our chances of having an accident.”

Mr Killeen paid tribute to the students who took part in the pilot project, saying: “It’s your participation, enthusiasm and feedback that will make a huge difference to the project’s future direction.”

HSA chairman Jim Lyons said: “This initiative is about taking the workplace safety message to the younger generation so we can begin to foster that all-important safety first-mindset. With up to 70% of post-primary students in part-time jobs, the need to equip young people with the right skills to keep themselves and their co-workers safe is more important than ever.”

HSA chief executive Tom Beegan added that the group has commissioned the National Council for Curriculum Assessment to identify opportunities for introducing risk education into mainstream curriculum areas from early-learning right through post-primary level.