HSA must confirm that workplaces are safe
Government has been negligent in relation to workers health and safety
In a statement today People Before Profit called for the closure of meat plants where clusters of Covid-19 have been identified.
Bríd Smith TD said:
“In the Dáil yesterday the Minister for Agriculture said he was aware of six clusters of Covid-19 in meat plants. This a shocking revelation which must be acted on now. These plants must be closed until the Health and Safety Authority is satisfied that the workers health and safely is being protected and that work can be carried out safely.
“It is not surprising that these clusters have emerged given the failure of the state to protect the safety of those who are still working.
“For weeks I have been calling for the Health and Safety Authority to take a more active and aggressive role in relation to enforcing protocols in relation to Covid-19. I have been told again and again that it does not have the powers to enforce public health guidelines. It is seven weeks into this crisis and no statutory body has the power to enforce Covid-19 guidelines to protect workers.
“I note that it is being reported today that Minister Humphreys is to tell the HSA that recently enacted emergency legislation can be used to close down businesses on public health grounds. She now needs to instruct the HSA to close these plants and ensure work does not resume until workers health and safety can be guaranteed.”
Ms Smith said that the approach to health and safety through this crisis has been “lax and the government has been negligent in not ensuring that those who have been working can work safely.”
