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 theHealth 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.