Workplace injury costs Irish economy up to €3.6bn a year
Work-related injury and illness is costing the Irish economy up to €3.6bn a year, according to a report published by the Government today.
The figure includes costs like lost output, insurance and health charges and represents 2.5% of Ireland's national income.
The Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen says the finding highlights the importance of improved health and safety in the workplace.
He also says employers are coming around to the perception that health and safety measures are not an extra burden, but a means of reducing costs in other areas.
"The huge majority of employers believe that when they do comply with health and safety legislation, that their insurance costs go down considerably and there are also additional benefits in terms of productivity and in terms of a very sharp reduction in the number of days lost arising from injury or death in the workplace," he said.
