Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen has urged construction firms and workers to "take responsibility" and play their part in ending death and injury in the workplace.
Speaking at an international conference on workplace health and safety in Dublin yesterday, Mr Killeen said legislation in the area aimed to foster a culture of health and safety among employers and workers, and provide stern penalties for those who breached regulations.
However, he said "the time has arrived for all those engaged in the construction sector to take responsibility and play their part in ending death and injury in their workplaces".
Some 23 people lost their lives on Irish construction sites last year, and 10 have died so far this year.
A recent report published by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) showed that the State's construction sector had an injury rate of 54 per 1,000 in 2004, compared to an average across industry of 30.1 per 1,000.
"It is not a record we are proud of, and the HSA is committed to rigorous enforcement to bring about change," Mr Killeen said.
"The authority's statistics also revealed an over-representation of foreign nationals in workplace accidents. Non-Irish workers in the construction industry are three times more likely to be killed at work than Irish workers. This issue highlights the need for effective communication in training and working practices."
Mr Killeen was addressing a two-day international conference organised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, which opened yesterday at a Dublin hotel.
HSA chief executive Tom Beegan told the conference that all sectors of the economy must support "a culture of workplace safety".
"The occurrence of any injury or accident at work, which could otherwise have been avoided, must become as socially unacceptable as smoking in the workplace, dangerous driving or, worse still, drink driving."
Among the HSA's greatest challenges was communicating its message to small businesses and non-Irish nationals, particularly those working on construction sites.
He said a national information campaign would be launched shortly to coincide with the introduction of new regulations specifically for the construction industry.