Brid Smith TD calls on Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to take active role in current crisis
HSA must ensure that workers health and lives are protected
Government must confirm that all non-essential workplaces are now closed
In a statement today Bríd Smith TD, of People Before Profit, said the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) must play an active role in the current crisis.
She said:
“Many workers have been in touch with me regarding their health and safety while at work. They have real concerns that appropriate measures are not being taken to protect from getting the Covid 19 virus.
“I have been in contact with the HSA in light of information I received which shows that the HSA was claiming that it does not have legal powers to compel employers to change work practices in accordance with the HSE Guidelines on Covid 19.
“This has now been confirmed to me by email from the HSA which states that ‘the Health and Safety Authority’s role addresses occupational health and safety in the workplace, and not public health’.”
“Further, the Authority says it is happy to provide advice but makes no mention of its preparedness to inspect workplaces where workers report that HSE Guidelines are not being followed.
“The HSA is the primary agency charged with protecting the health and safety of worker while at work. It is not acceptable that it is not playing a more active role in the current crisis. Public health is endangered if workers get the virus at work and then go home and interact with family members.”
“The HSA must now commit to inspecting all workplaces where breaches of Guidelines are reported and using its powers to stop work where workers lives are being put at risk.
“There is also an onus on the government, the HSA and other relevant authorities to ensure that ensure all non-essential work has ceased.”
She reminded workers that they under the Health safety and Welfare at Work (Act) 2005 they are entitled to remove themselves from any premises that represents a hazard or danger to their health and welfare and they cannot suffer any detriment as a result. She said workers who decide to walk off the job to protect their health, and lives, should get full backing from the trade union movement.
