Fatal Accident Highlights Safety Strategy

A man in the North has died after a slurry tank overturned on a road in Co Down. It happened yesterday and saw the 31-year-old killed when the tank fell on top of him after he stopped to change a wheel on the vehicle.

The accident happened on the Ardbrin Road in Banbridge at around 4pm with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) now investigating.

Meanwhile, the NI Health and Safety Minister Arlene Foster today launched a new strategy for the better regulation of health and safety at work in Northern Ireland.

She said that the primary aim of the strategy, entitled 'Health and safety at work: protecting lives not stopping them' is to reduce the number of workplace injuries and reduce work related ill health.

Coming too late for the victim of yesterday's tragic accident, the strategy has nevertheless been developed by the HSENI, in conjunction with the 26 district councils who share responsibility for regulating workplace health and safety.

Arlene Foster said: "This strategy represents a highly significant development in the partnership between the HSENI and the district councils as regulators.

"I welcome their commitment to work together, to ensure a fully coordinated approach to the regulation of health and safety at work.

"It will enable HSENI and the district councils to be more proactive and innovative in sharing resources and expertise, to address the needs of both employers and employees.

"It will also enable HSENI and the councils to regulate workplace health and safety more effectively by improved joint planning and by sharing of appropriate resources such as training and information," she said.

The Minister concluded: "I have no doubt that this approach will reduce unnecessary burdens on business in Northern Ireland, which is particularly relevant in the current economic and social climate.

"It will also achieve value for money, create positive outcomes and most importantly, save lives and reduce work-related injuries and ill-health."

Danny McSorley, Chief Executive of Omagh District Council and Deputy Chair of SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives), said: "This new strategy is about better regulation and will assist us as regulators in demonstrating to employers the value of implementing a common sense and practical health and safety system in terms of increased productivity, increased workforce commitment and enhanced reputation.

"Our goal in all of this is to achieve a safer and healthier working environment for all in a cost effective, customer focused and holistic way.

"And I along with the other chief executives am confident that the direction provided by this new strategy will enable us to achieve that goal," he concluded.

(BMcC/GK)