WHAT TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR…
9 People Died in Workplace Incidents Last Year
A total of 39 people died from workplace accidents last year, with 17 of those as a result of vehicles.
Last year saw a drop of almost 20% in terms of workplace deaths when compared to 2017, when 48 people died, according to the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The farming sector had the biggest share of deaths, with 15 people dying in work-related incidents last year. Five people died while working in construction.
Tractors were involved in the deaths of six people, while cars, refuse trucks and forklifts were also involved in fatalities.
The HSA also finished 15 prosecutions last year, resulting in total fines of €705,972.
Junior Minister for Trade Pat Breen welcomed the reduction in deaths, but said that each life lost caused great trauma and personal suffering for families every year.
“We should remember that any improvement in numbers provides little comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the dozens of Irish people whose lives were cut short this year while doing their job,” he said.
HSA CEO Dr Sharon McGuinness warned that vehicles were the greatest threat to people in the Irish workplace.
“Whether it’s a farmer driving a tractor in a yard, or a truck driver delivering a load, across all sectors, incidents involving vehicles accounted for almost half – or 44% – of all deaths last year,” she said.
Last year saw a drop of almost 20% in terms of workplace deaths when compared to 2017, when 48 people died, according to the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The farming sector had the biggest share of deaths, with 15 people dying in work-related incidents last year. Five people died while working in construction.
Tractors were involved in the deaths of six people, while cars, refuse trucks and forklifts were also involved in fatalities.
The HSA also finished 15 prosecutions last year, resulting in total fines of €705,972.
Junior Minister for Trade Pat Breen welcomed the reduction in deaths, but said that each life lost caused great trauma and personal suffering for families every year.
“We should remember that any improvement in numbers provides little comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the dozens of Irish people whose lives were cut short this year while doing their job,” he said.
HSA CEO Dr Sharon McGuinness warned that vehicles were the greatest threat to people in the Irish workplace.
“Whether it’s a farmer driving a tractor in a yard, or a truck driver delivering a load, across all sectors, incidents involving vehicles accounted for almost half – or 44% – of all deaths last year,” she said.
Deliveroo calls for changes to employment law
Deliveroo has called on the Government to "modernise" Irish employment legislation, to allow on-demand companies to offer self-contractors additional benefits without risking their self-employed status.
In a submission made to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the company has proposed that Government develops a "Charter for Secure and Flexible Work" for self-employed contractors working in the on-demand economy.
As the gig economy in Ireland grows, it continues to raise questions about the employment status of workers.
Deliveroo and other gig economy groups have lost cases in other countries over whether workers should be classified as employees.
In June, a Spanish court ruled that the online food delivery company wrongly hired 100 riders as self-employed contractors instead of regular workers, which costs the firm less.
In Holland, judges ruled that cyclists working for Deliveroo are not self-employed and should be paid according to the pay and conditions deal which covers the sector.
In Ireland, Deliveroo riders are self-employed and the company said riders "repeatedly tell Deliveroo they value flexibility above all else", while unions argue that workers rights need to be protected in the gig economy.
The company contends that if it offered riders benefits, under the current law there would be a risk that riders would be reclassified as employees "and would lose the very flexibility they value".
The company said its proposed Charter could allow for companies in the gig economy to offer self-employed contractors additional benefits, such as insurance or sick pay, without this being a factor in determining their employment status.
Michael Healy, General Manager of Deliveroo Ireland said that the company already offers all riders insurance to protect them if something goes wrong on the road.
"The Charter model, which is being pursued by the French Government, would be an innovative and bold way of enabling companies offer self-employed contractors more security, as well as giving greater certainty to those who work in the on-demand economy," he said.
"We hope the Irish Government will work with companies such as Deliveroo to ensure that employment law keeps pace with new ways of working which are bringing new opportunities for so many."
In a submission made to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the company has proposed that Government develops a "Charter for Secure and Flexible Work" for self-employed contractors working in the on-demand economy.
As the gig economy in Ireland grows, it continues to raise questions about the employment status of workers.
Deliveroo and other gig economy groups have lost cases in other countries over whether workers should be classified as employees.
In June, a Spanish court ruled that the online food delivery company wrongly hired 100 riders as self-employed contractors instead of regular workers, which costs the firm less.
In Holland, judges ruled that cyclists working for Deliveroo are not self-employed and should be paid according to the pay and conditions deal which covers the sector.
In Ireland, Deliveroo riders are self-employed and the company said riders "repeatedly tell Deliveroo they value flexibility above all else", while unions argue that workers rights need to be protected in the gig economy.
The company contends that if it offered riders benefits, under the current law there would be a risk that riders would be reclassified as employees "and would lose the very flexibility they value".
The company said its proposed Charter could allow for companies in the gig economy to offer self-employed contractors additional benefits, such as insurance or sick pay, without this being a factor in determining their employment status.
Michael Healy, General Manager of Deliveroo Ireland said that the company already offers all riders insurance to protect them if something goes wrong on the road.
"The Charter model, which is being pursued by the French Government, would be an innovative and bold way of enabling companies offer self-employed contractors more security, as well as giving greater certainty to those who work in the on-demand economy," he said.
"We hope the Irish Government will work with companies such as Deliveroo to ensure that employment law keeps pace with new ways of working which are bringing new opportunities for so many."
