Some Garda stations are so unfit as workplaces that if the Health and Safety Authority carried out regular inspections, it would order their closure, the author of a new report on health and safety within the force has said. Conor Lally reports.
Dr Thomas Garavan, of the Department of Personnel and Employment at the University of Limerick, said many gardaí were being forced to work alone in "difficult areas" after dark. He said the practice was putting the lives of members at risk.
Dr Garavan was speaking at the launch of the report, "Work Safety, Health and Welfare in the Garda Síochána", which was commissioned by the Garda Representative Association. The report's findings were based on questionnaires sent to 800 gardaí, of which just over 300 replied. Findings were also based on interviews with gardaí conducted by researchers during visits to nine Garda stations.
Researchers found 84 per cent of rank-and-file gardaí believed their safety was compromised because of resourcing shortages.
Respondents said that on average, stations had 40 per cent fewer Garda members than was necessary to meet work demands. Ninety-two per cent said insufficient resources were provided by station management to rectify safety, health and welfare deficiencies.
More than eight in 10, 84 per cent, of gardaí said inappropriately designed patrol cars were a risk they encountered daily, while 83 per cent said they were exposed to situations where physical assault was likely.
The force's radio communications system was also heavily criticised with 67 per cent of gardaí saying the inadequate radio system was a risk at their work.
Seventy-nine per cent said they were frequently exposed to risk situations due to insufficient staffing levels, 60 per cent were exposed daily to individuals who may be carriers of AIDS, 57 per cent were exposed to situations "where needle-stick injuries were likely" and 62 per cent of gardaí were exposed every day to blood and bodily fluids.