HSA will lead on safety protocols
by Niall Shanahan
 
"We believe the HSA should be proactively planning for additional demands and developing a comprehensive business case and strategic plan in order to ensure that the appropriate resources are put in place" - Fórsa official Ashley Connolly
"We believe the HSA should be proactively planning for additional demands and developing a comprehensive business case and strategic plan in order to ensure that the appropriate resources are put in place" - Fórsa official Ashley Connolly

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphries TD, has said the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will need additional resources to oversee compliance with the COVID-19 Return to Work Safely Protocol, which was published last Friday (8th May).

 

Minister Humphries said the HSA will be the lead State body in oversight and enforcement of the new protocol. She said that while Covid-19 is not identified as an occupational illness (and therefore not reportable under occupational safety and health legislation) the HSA has legal powers to advise, offer guidance, monitor, inspect and enforce adherence to Covid-19 measures in the workplace under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

 

In a letter to the general secretary of Congress, Patricia King, the minister said the Government has agreed that relevant officers of other government departments and agencies will work with the HSA to oversee compliance with the protocol. She said this would include personnel from across Government with health and safety, environmental health or other workplace/business inspection responsibilities, and confirmed that appropriate training and protocols are being developed and agreed between relevant departments.

 

Fórsa members at the HSA have welcomed the lead role of the agency. However, the union has raised concerns with HSA management because they are not developing a business case for additional inspectors.

 

Fórsa official Ashley Connolly said the HSA is planning to recommence the agency’s usual program of work and review how Covid-19 can be incorporated into this: “We believe the HSA should be proactively planning for additional demands and developing a comprehensive business case and strategic plan in order to ensure that the appropriate resources are put in place.

 

“The new protocol is designed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, when the economy begins to slowly open up, following the temporary closure of most businesses during the worst phase of the current pandemic. We can’t afford not to ensure a rigorous and proactive inspection regime is in place during this crucial phase. The union will continue to push for the promise of additional resources in the form of the direct employment of more workplace inspectors at the HSA,” she said.

 

Read Minister Humphries letter HERE.

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