Concern at workplace safety record in Donegal

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has expressed concern at the safety record in workplaces in Co Donegal.

So far this year five people have died in workplace accidents in various industries in the county.

This is the second-highest figure in the State in actual terms - there have been eight deaths in Co Cork.

However, a HSA spokesman said last night there were disproportionately more deaths in Co Donegal given the size of its workforce.

The number of workplace deaths recorded in Co Donegal so far this year is two higher than that reported for the whole of last year.

Three of this year's five deaths occurred in quarries.

Earlier this week a nine-year-old boy died at a quarry in Annagry.

The High Court heard yesterday that another quarry at Termon has had to be closed because of safety concerns.

The closure puts 23 jobs at risk.

Barrister James O'Donnell, for Patrick Bonar of Barnes Limestone Quarries, told the court that many quarry owners in the county were unaware of safety legislation.

However, a spokesman for the HSA said the authority was concerned that the message on safety at work was "not getting through" in Donegal.

The HSA pointed to a poor response from employers in the county to a forthcoming seminar on workplace safety, which it has organised for Letterkenny next week.

It is understood that organisers were expecting to cater for about 1,600 people.

However, only 20 employers from the county have agreed to attend.

The Donegal event is the first of 28 seminars to be held around the State in advance of new legislation to come into force next week.

It is understood that similar events in most other counties have sold out.

A HSA spokesman said it was concerned that the poor attendance expected in Letterkenny indicated that issues on safety in the workplace were not being given the priority they deserved by employers in the county.

The new Safety, Health and Welfare in the Workplace legislation will give health and safety authorities greater powers in tackling employers over dangers in the workplace.

Employers may face fines of up to €3 million or two years in prison for failing to provide safe workplaces.