Last year 69 people were killed at work and a further 15,000 people suffered serious injuries, according to figures released this afternoon by the Health and Safety Authority. The Authority, which published its annual report this afternoon, has criticised the amount of research being carried out here into health and safety issues. It says it is not enough for an economy the size of Ireland's. The Authority also says too few industry and trade bodies are addressing health and safety issues proactively.
Last week a confidential report into the semi-state authority, which was seen by RTÉ, called for a radical and immediate overhaul of the organisation. The draft report was highly critical of the authority. The Health and Safety Authority has said it is beginning a fundamental review of its operations and structures.
Last year 69 people were killed at work, just one less than the year before. Just under 15,000 people suffered injuries at work - injuries serious enough to mean they were three or more days recovering. The authority initiated 84 prosecutions against employers in 1999, up 27 per cent on figures for 1998.
