Work-related death rate ‘shocking’

THE number of people killed in work-related accidents in Cork last month was the worst in over a decade.

Four fatalities, more than the total recorded in similar accidents in the county during the whole of last year, prompted an urgent visit to Cork yesterday by Health and Safety Authority chief executive Tom Beegan.

Pleading with employers and workers to redouble their efforts to prioritise safety in the workplace, he said the statistics are shocking and totally unacceptable.

"We express our deepest sympathy to the families involved," he said, before announcing a package of urgent measures including a targeted and intense period of additional workplace inspections in Cork in the month ahead.

Over 350 inspections will focus on key sectors including construction, agriculture, transport, manufacturing and quarrying.

These additional enforcement-led inspections aim to ensure that proper health and safety procedures are in place.

Sylvester Cronin, the chairman of the committee and SIPTU's head of safety, said it was essential that employers follow their statutory duty to provide a safe workplace.

"Workers should make themselves aware of their company's safety statement and risk assessments and ensure that they don't do anything that will endanger their health or safety at work," Mr Cronin said.

"They should work on the rule of thumb if it's not safe, don't do it."

The HSA estimated the number of days lost to injury and illness from work cost the economy over €1.6 billion each year.

"A safe organisation is well run and profitable. The cost in human, economic, reputation and morale terms of accidents in the workplace is huge," Mr Beegan said.

Mr Beegan said the enforcement inspections were put in place to ensure that best practices were being followed.

Safety promotion events will include a SIPTU information meeting for all safety representatives in the area, local radio commercials and facilities for construction contractors to view well-run sites.

The Irish Farmers Association and other organisations will hold a number of awareness events in livestock marts.

The Institute of Occupational, Safety and Health will also host a seminar on the safe use of vehicles in the workplace.