Many lives saved in 25 years of HSA

The Authority was set up under the 1989 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, which is widely seen as the beginning of a modern systematic approach to managing workplace safety and health. Jointly hosted with the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO), the theme of the conference was 'Safety is a Mindset'.

Speaking at the event, Gerald Nash TD, Minister for Business and Employment said: "The focus of the Health and Safety Authority has been on reducing human suffering from work-related activities but their role is also crucial in terms of industry competitiveness, particularly in relation to the pharma-chem sector. Not only does a proactive approach save lives and reduce injury, it also leads to substantial financial savings, both for individual enterprises and the exchequer, and increases industry competitiveness."

Martin O'Halloran, CE of the Health and Safety Authority, said, "The term 'health and safety' is the butt of many jokes but the simple reality is that perhaps as many as a thousand lives have been saved since 1989 through the proactive management of the safety, health and welfare in Irish workplaces."

"We've seen huge improvements in standards since 1989. Together with industry stakeholders, employers and workers themselves, many industry sectors have been transformed so that worker safety and health is valued and prioritised. Standards and practices that were previously considered acceptable would, rightly, not be tolerated today."

"Our remit has been greatly broadened in recent years. We now have a pivotal role to play in the safe manufacturing, use and transportation of chemicals as well as general market and product surveillance. Much of what we do benefits industry competitiveness and innovation. I, along with my colleagues, look forward to the next 25 years and the contribution of the Health and Safety Authority to a safe, healthy, productive and competitive Irish economy."