Sir, - Several recent newspaper reports have commented on the likelihood of demographic and other factors resulting in too many jobs and too few workers. While this may eventually influence employment market policies, an additional way of achieving national social objectives is to nurture and protect those who are at, or will be entering, work.
This ought to sharpen the focus on reducing workplace-related accidents, ill health and death to ensure the continued employability of those at work. The economy loses almost one million days each year through workplace accidents and ill health. In addition to the personal suffering involved, this constrains production and damages competitiveness and GDP.
Most accidents are preventable - and at little cost. There is a very strong case, as we look towards the next decade, for employers, workers and State services working to bring about a considerable reduction in accident and ill-health levels across all Irish employments. - Yours, etc., Tom Walsh,
Director General, Health and Safety Authority, Hogan Place, Dublin 2.