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.”

Impact said that, in introducing its annual report, HSA chairman Michael Horgan and chief executive Martin O’Halloran echoed those concerns, saying employment growth “may be accompanied by an unwelcome rise in the rate of people being killed and injured in workplace accidents”.

Impact pointed out that the HSA’s budget fell 27% between 2009 and 2014.

“Last year saw both the president of the National Irish Safety Organisation Pauric Corrigan and HSA chairman Michael Horgan warning that continuing staff losses could lead to a reduction in standards and an increase in workplace injuries and costs,” it said.

During 2013, 47 people died and 6,598 were seriously injured in the workplace — in line with the 48 deaths and 6,804 injuries reported in 2012. In terms of non-fatal serious workplace injuries, construction (16.7 per 1,000 workers) continues to pose the most danger; followed by health and social work (15.9); and agriculture (14.2).

The HSA penalised 28 companies €2.1m for serious breaches last year, one of the biggest penalties since it was set up in 1989. That total exceeded the €425,000 and €819,700 worth of penalties in 2012 and 2011, and is the highest in a decade.

A HSA spokesman said it had no comment.