Deaths through workplace accidents remembered

The Government, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Congress), the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Ibec and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) today collectively marked the second Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland – the national and annual commemorative event to remember people killed, injured and bereaved through workplace accidents.

This year’s ceremony was held at the Royal Hibernian Academy with Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash representing the Government. Congress was represented by General Secretary Patricia King, the Construction Industry Federation by Director General Tom Parlon, Ibec by its Director of Employer Relations Maeve McElwee and the HSA by its Assistant Chief Executive Brian Higgisson. The four organisations have also jointly signed a letter promoting the commemorative day along with key safety, health and accident prevention messages among their membership.

A Colour Party of the Defence Forces presented the Tricolour into the ceremony, on behalf of the State.

Together with the representatives from Congress, the CIF, Ibec and the HSA, Minister Nash formally placed a wreath with the Workers’ Memorial Day emblem onto a ceremonial stand backed by the Tricolour and the European flag. Speeches took place and a solemn silence was then observed.

In the 10 year period between 2006 and 2015, 526 people were killed in work related accidents in Ireland and many thousands more badly injured. On average, more than one person a week died in work related accidents in Ireland in 2015, 56 deaths in total, with many more injured. Six people died in workplace accidents in Meath since 2010.

Minister Nash said: “As we mark the second Workers’ Memorial Day it’s worth noting that while annual fatality rates have more than halved from 4.9 / 100,000 in 1989 to over two fatalities per 100,000 workers today, many challenges remain. As economic activity continues to increase we need to re-double our efforts to promote awareness of health and safety in all places of work. Any one death or one injury is one too many. I very much welcome the widening of the partnership to mark the annual Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland. It now includes Congress, the Construction Industry Federation, Ibec and the HSA. Working together to raise awareness of the importance of health and safety at work is the best way to build upon the success we’ve enjoyed in recent years.”

Patricia King, Secretary General of Congress said: “Coming together today we are remembering all dead and injured workers and their bereaved families whose lives have been destroyed by workplace accidents. We received very positive feedback from our membership since the first Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland. We are also encouraged that the Construction Industry Federation is marking this important day with us this year. Clearly the collective will is there to reduce accidents and fatalities in Irish places of work though awareness raising and enforcement.”

Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation said: “Everyone is entitled to a safe working environment and to return home unharmed each day. The Construction Industry Federation is delivering on its commitment to workplace health and safety through programmes like Safe Pass. Our members are committed to safe working environments and strongly support the currently regulatory regime.”

Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations of Ibec said: “Employers are aware of their obligations and duty to promote safety and health awareness and best practice in workplaces. Nobody wants to see fatalities or accidents at work where the human impact of such incidents is deeply harrowing for everyone concerned. Accidents diminish the quality of working life and also have a severe economic impact on the people and companies affected. Safe workplaces provide a positive and productive working environment for all.”

Brian Higgisson, Assistant CEO of the Health & Safety Authority said: “We’re very pleased to be part of this joint initiative to mark Workers’ Memorial. The HSA as the statutory body for enforcing safety and health legislation, but only through collaboration and close cooperation can we hope to achieve safe and healthy workplaces for all employees. While the overall rate of work-related deaths has more than halved in the last 25 years, as long as there are any deaths as a result of work-related activity, education and enforcement will be required. We look forward to a continued close working relationship with all key stakeholders to make Ireland a leader for safe and healthy workplaces.”