Gardaí fear their lives are at risk from lone patrols, inadequate radio communication and poorly designed patrol cars, a new study revealed today.
A health and safety audit of the force carried out on behalf of the Garda Representative Association revealed widespread concerns among rank and file gardai.
Around 83% of gardaí questioned say they were exposed to situations where physical assault was likely, while 66 per cent said they were frequently exposed to people who had hepatitis and other contagious conditions.
There were also widespread complaints about inadequate station facilities, including the lack of toilets for female gardaí and mice in canteen kitchens.
Health and safety consultant Dr Thomas Garavan, who surveyed 800 gardaí and carried out safety audits on nine stations said there was an urgent need for more resources in the area.
"We encountered major deficiencies in respect of best practice safety, health and welfare in Garda stations and in the wider workplace," he said.
He added that gardaí, who were expected to face dangerous situations, were still entitled to the same high standards of health and safety as any other group. Around 78 per cent of the gardaí surveyed believed that station management were not fully committed to effective health and safety practices.
PA