FAS Safe Pass Training improves Safety Performance in Ireland according to the Health and Safety Authority

In 2001, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) introduced compulsory Safe Pass Training for all construction related workers in Ireland. The rate of construction fatalities and injury rates have both improved greatly in the intervening period. These figures are based on figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) annual reports.

  • 2012 Injury Rate

     

    3.23%
  • 2003 Injury Rate

     

    3.98%

With reference to construction industry injuries. In 2012 the injury rate was 32.3 per 1,000 workers in Construction. This compared to a rate of 39.8 per 1,000 construction workers in 2003. An improvement of almost 20%

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With respect to fatalities. In 2012 there were 8 fatalities among the 103,000 workers in Construction. While in 2003 there were 17 fatalities for 188,500 workers in Construction in that year. This equates to approximately 9.1 per 100,000 construction workers for 2003 and 7.7 per 100,000 construction workers in 2012. This equates to an improvement of approximately 15%.

The saving in life and in serious life impacting injuries has been really enormous in the intervening 9 year period. Many families have been saved the loss of a loved one or the debilitating injuries and mental impact to the family breadwinner.

The question as to why this improvement has occurred has probably several answers:

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  • Firstly a heightened level of safety awareness due to the FÁS Safe Pass Training Courses.
  • Secondly an increase in knowledge and functional ability due to the content of the Safe Pass Training
  • Finally through an increased level of enforcement by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA).

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The Chris Mee Group trained over 13,000 people last year including a large proportion of construction workers in FÁS Approved Safe Pass Training Courses. These courses took place in Dublin, Cork and numerous other centres nationwide. Courses are available at convenient locations and are vetted and approved by FÁS Dublin and FÁS Cork offices.
For more information contact the Chris Mee Group at www.cmse.ie or Tel: 1850 315 415.