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Each employer has “an absolute duty” to adhere to new government-announced workplace safety protocols that are not “discretionary,” said the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
The Government’s Return to Work Safety Protocol was launched on Saturday, establishing a series of measures that employers and their employees must follow to reopen in the coming weeks.
Patricia King, Secretary General of the ICTU, said that it is “vital” that the protocol is compatible and that “each employer and worker plays their role in making our workplaces safe for everyone.”
“The price of negligence is too high,” said King. “There can be no shortcuts or no options for exclusion when it comes to life and death issues, Covid-19 does not discriminate and all workers in all sectors are entitled to the protection of this protocol.
“Important milestone”
“This pandemic has severely impacted every part of our society and economy, and this document represents an important milestone.”
Tom Parlon, director general of the Federation of the Construction Industry (CIF), said he appreciated the participation of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and “the powers they have.”
The HSA will monitor compliance with the protocol and may close workplaces that do not comply with the new measures.
Mr. Parlon said that some construction sites will need “substantial construction” to complete and that workers have been taking induction courses “to become familiar with what is actually a fairly new workplace and a new culture.”
“I know that some of my members who were doing essential jobs found it difficult in the early days to get everyone to buy the culture and regularly took what they called ‘toolbox talks’ to say,’ Look, this is how it has to be done, if we cannot change it will not happen and we will close the site, “he said.
“More financial support, along with expanding grants, will be essential for employers to successfully restore jobs and reopen within established parameters due to the virus,” said Ian Talbot, CEO of Chambers Ireland.
Danny McCoy, executive director of the Ibec business lobby, said he welcomed the protocol as “a general document that can be applied in all sectors of the industry.”
Safety and well-being
“Its design allows for the introduction of other sector or industry specific measures, as long as the measures set out in the protocol improve … It will provide employers and employees with confidence that the safety and well-being of people at work can be safely managed as we begin to reopen our economy, “he said.
The Irish Hotel Federation said it is working closely with Fáilte Ireland to develop operational standards in line with HSE requirements and international best practices.
The Dublin Chamber said the protocol provides “very welcome practical advice” but warned of the “complexities and costs” that companies will face in reopening.
“Implementing these changes and complying with the new labor standards will be extremely difficult for many companies, and it will also be costly,” said Mary Rose Burke, executive director of the Dublin Chamber.
“In many cases, compliance for many companies will mean having to hire additional staff or redeployment of existing workers. Businesses will need support to adapt to new ways of working and the Dublin Chamber will be there to help them get the assistance they need. “
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