"Under the current EU Health and Safety Strategy, the EU has set a target of reducing workplace accidents by 25% on 2007 levels by the end of 2012.
"These latest HSA figures indicate however that Ireland is moving in the wrong direction, with 55 workplace deaths last year compared to 48 in 2010 and 43 in 2009.
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"As the Authority's chief executive Barry O'Halloran has said, behind each of these statistics lies human tragedies, lost lives, and families ruined. In addition, it is estimated that the economic costs of these accidents represent a huge cost to our societies, of between 2% and 6% of GDP according to EU and national studies.
"The economic crisis cannot be used to undermine health and safety, particularly among SMEs - which the European Commission estimates account for over 80% of all workplace accidents and 90% of all fatal accidents across Europe - or the self-employed; all workers are entitled to the protection of their health and safety in their workplace.
"We need to develop a better culture of prevention, especially among the categories of workers and sectors with high rates of workplace deaths and accidents, i.e. young workers, migrant workers, workers with insecure jobs, farming and construction etc."
"Minister Bruton should redouble his efforts to reduce workplace deaths and accidents and ensure that the Health and Safety Authority has the resources needed to carry out its mission. The Minister should also support an ambitious new EU health and safety strategy for the 2013-20 period, due to be tabled by the European Commission at the end of 2012, especially in the areas of work-related stress, the protection of whistleblowers who report breaches of health and safety standards and new risks."
(CD/GK)
