The Health & Safety Authority (HSA) has recently launched a new strategic
campaign aimed at reducing workplace accidents involving new and
inexperienced workers.

In Ireland, the figures for workplace accidents and health and safety incidents
make for sadly sobering reading. Over a ten year period from 2006 to 2015, 520
people were tragically killed in work-related accidents and many thousands badly
injured. A recent study of workplace accidents revealed that workers are four
times more likely to suffer a workplace accident in the first 6 months of a new
job. The research was based on workplace injury and illness statistics taken from
the CSO over a 12 year period which found that new workers were at a much
higher risk due to several factors including a lack of training and supervision. The
awareness campaign is primarily aimed at reminding employers of their duties in
relation to new workers.

Ronan Hynes, Health & Safety Expert, commented that “Proper training and
supervision are vital for new workers particularly in high risk sectors such as
construction and agriculture. Employers who are strong on health and safety in
the workplace are fully aware of their statutory obligations but also have a strong
focus on induction training and supervision at the outset”.

If you have a query regarding health and safety or have been involved in a
workplace accident, please contact Ronan Hynes, Partner for expert legal advice
on 061-414355 or [email protected].