Safety Provisions (Building) Convention, 1937 (No. 62) - Ireland (Ratification: 1972)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Article 6 of the Convention. Statistics and application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous request regarding the targeted inspection activities and other measures taken to address the main causes of fatal and non-fatal accidents in the construction industry. In this regard, the Committee refers to its comments under the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81).

Article 13(1). Crane driver or hoisting appliance operator shall be properly qualified. With reference to its previous request concerning the information on the effect given to this provision of the Convention, the Government states that the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 provides for an obligation of all employers to ensure that their employees receive adequate training and instruction on occupational safety and health. The Government indicates that in the construction sector, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 require operators of different types of cranes to be in possession of a valid Construction Skills Certification Scheme card for the tasks involved and to complete training specific to their operation. The same requirement is imposed upon anyone who operates such machinery, which is to be ensured by all project supervisors for the construction stage and contractors involved in construction work. Moreover, the annual Programme of Work 2016 of the Safety and Health Authority highlights its commitment to support in the maintenance and development of the national qualifications and training structures for the construction sector. The Committee takes note of this information.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Legislation. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005; the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 504 of 2006), and its amendments (S.I. No. 130 of 2008), (S.I. No. 423 of 2008) and (S.I. No. 523 of 2010); and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007), which appear to give effect to the majority of the Articles of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any relevant legislative measures adopted in application of the Convention.

Article 13(1) of the Convention. Crane driver or hoisting appliance operator shall be properly qualified. The Committee asks the Government to indicate how effect is given to this provision of the Convention.

Article 6. Statistics. Application in practice. The Committee welcomes the detailed statistical information provided by the Government in relation to the construction industry and, in particular, notes that the main types of fatal accidents are falls from a height, site vehicles, falling or collapsing material and contact with overhead electricity lines. The Government also indicates that workers in the construction sector suffer from one of the highest non-fatal injury rates of any sector, with the most common causes being manual handling, slips, trips and falls on the level, falling or collapsing material and falls from a height. The Committee notes that the total number of fatalities recorded in the construction sector during 2006–10 was 61, and that the number of non-fatal accidents has significantly reduced since 2006, although this has in part been influenced by a drop in the last three years in the number employed in the sector. The Government further indicates that poor management of the design or construction process is a prime cause of most of the deaths, injuries and illnesses in the construction industry. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to target the main causes of fatal and non-fatal accidents in the construction industry, and to continue to provide statistical information on the practical application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Legislation. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005; the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 504 of 2006), and its amendments (S.I. No. 130 of 2008), (S.I. No. 423 of 2008) and (S.I. No. 523 of 2010); and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007), which appear to give effect to the majority of the Articles of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any relevant legislative measures adopted in application of the Convention.

Article 13(1) of the Convention. Crane driver or hoisting appliance operator shall be properly qualified. The Committee notes that the Government’s report is silent on this matter. The Committee asks the Government to indicate how effect is given to this provision of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Article 6. Statistics. Application in practice. The Committee welcomes the detailed statistical information provided by the Government in relation to the construction industry and, in particular, notes that the main types of fatal accidents are falls from a height, site vehicles, falling or collapsing material and contact with overhead electricity lines. The Government also indicates that workers in the construction sector suffer from one of the highest non-fatal injury rates of any sector, with the most common causes being manual handling, slips, trips and falls on the level, falling or collapsing material and falls from a height. The Committee notes that the total number of fatalities recorded in the construction sector during 2006–10 was 61, and that the number of non-fatal accidents has significantly reduced since 2006, although this has in part been influenced by a drop in the last three years in the number employed in the sector. The Government further indicates that poor management of the design or construction process is a prime cause of most of the deaths, injuries and illnesses in the construction industry. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to target the main causes of fatal and non-fatal accidents in the construction industry, and to continue to provide statistical information on the practical application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and the adoption of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 481 of 2001), as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 277 of 2003), that these regulations are currently under review and that it is anticipated that they will be replaced in 2005 or early 2006 by new safety, health and welfare at work (construction) regulations. The Committee also notes that the Government intends in the near future to replace existing regulations dealing with working at height (including scaffolding, ladders, platforms and openings) and lifting equipment applicable in the area of construction with new working at height and lifting regulations, which will apply to all workplaces. The Government is requested to submit copies of all relevant new pieces of legislation as soon as they have been adopted.

Article 6 of the Convention. Statistics. The Committee notes that, according to statistics provided by the Government, the rate of fatal and non-fatal injuries in construction has declined over the last four years but that the fatality rate is still high and that, during 2003, 21 people had died in construction-related accidents. The Committee also notes that the Government intends to address this problem, inter alia, through targeted inspection programmes and promotional campaigns with the active participation of the Construction Safety Partnership and Construction Advisory Committee. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information and statistics on the practical application of the Convention.

Finally, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), which revises Convention No. 62 of 1937, and which might be more adapted to the current situation of the building industry. The Committee recalls that the Governing Body of the ILO had invited member States parties to Convention No. 62 to contemplate ratifying Convention No. 167, the ratification of which will, ipso jure, imply the immediate denunciation of Convention No. 62 (document GB.268/8/2). The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed on any developments in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and the adoption of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 481 of 2001), as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 277 of 2003), that these regulations are currently under review and that it is anticipated that they will be replaced in 2005 or early 2006 by new safety, health and welfare at work (construction) regulations. The Committee also notes that the Government intends in the near future to replace existing regulations dealing with working at height (including scaffolding, ladders, platforms and openings) and lifting equipment applicable in the area of construction with new working at height and lifting regulations, which will apply to all workplaces. The Government is requested to submit copies of all relevant new pieces of legislation as soon as they have been adopted.

Article 6 of the Convention. Statistics. The Committee notes that, according to statistics provided by the Government, the rate of fatal and non-fatal injuries in construction has declined over the last four years but that the fatality rate is still high and that, during 2003, 21 people had died in construction-related accidents. The Committee also notes that the Government intends to address this problem, inter alia, through targeted inspection programmes and promotional campaigns with the active participation of the Construction Safety Partnership and Construction Advisory Committee. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information and statistics on the practical application of the Convention.

Finally, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), which revises Convention No. 62 of 1937, and which might be more adapted to the current situation of the building industry. The Committee recalls that the Governing Body of the ILO had invited member States parties to Convention No. 62 to contemplate ratifying Convention No. 167, the ratification of which will, ipso jure, imply the immediate denunciation of Convention No. 62 (document GB.268/8/2). The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed on any developments in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and the adoption of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 481 of 2001), as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 277 of 2003), that these regulations are currently under review and that it is anticipated that they will be replaced in 2005 or early 2006 by new safety, health and welfare at work (construction) regulations. The Committee also notes that the Government intends in the near future to replace existing regulations dealing with working at height (including scaffolding, ladders, platforms and openings) and lifting equipment applicable in the area of construction with new working at height and lifting regulations, which will apply to all workplaces. The Government is requested to submit copies of all relevant new pieces of legislation as soon as they have been adopted. 

2. Article 6. Statistics. The Committee notes that, according to statistics provided by the Government, the rate of fatal and non-fatal injuries in construction has declined over the last four years but that the fatality rate is still high and that, during 2003, 21 people had died in construction-related accidents. The Committee also notes that the Government intends to address this problem, inter alia, through targeted inspection programmes and promotional campaigns with the active participation of the Construction Safety Partnership and Construction Advisory Committee. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information and statistics on the practical application of the Convention.

3. Finally, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), which revises Convention No. 62 of 1937, and which might be more adapted to the current situation of the building industry. The Committee recalls that the Governing Body of the ILO had invited member States parties to Convention No. 62 to contemplate ratifying Convention No. 167, the ratification of which will, ipso jure, imply the immediate denunciation of Convention No. 62 (document GB.268/8/2). The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed on any developments in this regard.