OHSA issued €60,000 worth of fines for workplace safety infringements this year

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority has published a report on its activities during the first half of this year.

Between January and June 2015, OHSA carried out approximately 1,000 inspections in various workplaces, the majority of which resulted in orders for remedial action. Following various contraventions, the OHSA also issued 91 letters regarding administrative fines and appointed 103 court cases.

During the first six months of this year, the fines imposed ranged between €250 and €1,456, and totalled in all €60,000. During the same period of time, the OHSA also processed 2211 lift certificates and delivered 74 hours of awareness-raising training.

NSO statistics show that there was a 6.2% decrease in the number of persons making a claim in terms of the Social Security Act for an injury at work during the first three months of 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014.

Between January and June 2015, the vast majority of infringements (in the case of administrative fines, court cases and orders given by OHS officers) were in the construction sector. The most common infringement noted in this sector regarding administrative fines was the lack of appointment of a project supervisor.

Certain shortcomings noted during inspections and on which legal action was taken related to basic occupational health and safety requirements. These include not conducting a risk assessment of all the hazards at work or keeping a copy of same, and not safeguarding the health and safety of workers and those persons who might be affected by the work being carried out.

Other problems relate to lack of information to workers, lack of health and safety signs and measures to prevent fires. Some employers failed to provide adequate personal protective equipment when necessary and to obey orders given by OHS officers, amongst others.

OHSA’s daily operations are not exclusive to inspections but also include various training sessions, organisation of seminars and conferences as well as setting up exhibitions and providing information to companies, the media and various workplaces.