A safe and healthy workplace makes economic sense

In 2006 -2007, 19 people died and 3,500 were injured at work in Northern Ireland.

Today is International Workers Memorial Day and the Minister for Health and Safety, Nigel Dodds, joined the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NICICTU) at a ceremony to remember those killed at or by work. The Minister also paid tribute to the valuable contribution made by trade unions in working to reduce risks and protect people from injury in the workplace.

Minister Dodds said: “Setting aside time once a year to remember individual tragedies is important and necessary. Workers should be guaranteed the right to a safe workplace and employers must be accountable for workers’ health and safety.

“All accidents are preventable - that message must be conveyed and understood by employers. I would like to acknowledge the vital work Trade Union and Workplace Safety Representatives undertake in the workplace and how important that is to the economy.”

The Minister continued “Workers' Memorial Day is an opportunity to act locally to encourage employers to take on board the important message of effective health and safety management, the need to work with their employees to provide a safe, healthy work environment and to dedicate themselves to preventing workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries.

“The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is working to achieve the highest standards of best practice for health and safety at work. Continuing co-operation between enforcing bodies, Trade Unions and employers will ensure a healthier, safer workplace and make workplace death and injuries a thing of the past.”

Notes to Editors:

1. International Workers’ Memorial Day originated in Canada, and 28 April was chosen because it is the anniversary of the introduction of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the United States.
2. Since 1989, trade unions in the US, UK, Asia, Europe and Africa have organised events intended to remember all those killed at or by work, and to strengthen the resolve to reduce risks and protect people from injury at work.
3. The ceremony, which took place at the UNITE Offices, Antrim Road, Belfast, was part of a seminar organised by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
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