Sir, - Under European law, all employers have a duty of care for the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Today's working environment is full of health hazards such as electromagnetic radiation and poor quality lighting, to name but two. Both these sources of environmental pollution have an adverse effect on the health of employees in a variety of work situations.
I recently had some experience of poor health when I attended a computer training course at the local college. Over a period of a few weeks, my eyesight deteriorated and I had frequent headaches. Fortunately a colleague recommended some eye exercises, which helped to ease the strain. After finishing the course my eyesight soon returned to normal.
If employers fail to protect the health and safety of their workers, they could face the prospect not only of prosecution and adverse publicity, but also the risk of substantial compensation claims.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, gives workers the right to blow the whistle on employers without fear of victimisation, if they fail to comply with any part of the act. - Yours, etc.,
Vincent Gill, Athlone, Co Westmeath.