Union fears accident rise with fewer H&S inspectors

Concerns have been raised at the fall in the number of health and safety inspectors tasked with inspecting workplaces at a time when the number of people in work is rapidly increasing.

Impact trade union, which represents inspectors at the Health and Safety Authority, said the number of inspections had dropped from 16,000 five years ago to 13,000 in 2012 and 12,244 last year.

Union official Geraldine O’Brien said three front-line inspectors had been redeployed from the HSA over the last 12 months. She said that could result in more than 900 fewer inspections. “What’s more, a further five front-line inspection posts have been earmarked for future redeployment to meet official staffing reduction targets,” said Ms O’Brien. “Meanwhile, the number of people working in often hazardous workplaces continues to grow.”