heal th pr omotion · bor d snip nuaÕ r epor t sug gested mer ging the hsa with the national ......

SUMMER 2011

NISO is a not-for-profit voluntary body,dedicated to the promotion of health

and safety in Irish workplaces

HEALTH PROMOTION

INSIDE

INTERNATIONALWORKERS’MEMORIAL DAY

EVENTS DIARY

QUIZ 2011 FINALS ANDREGIONALRESULTS

NISO President Reports

AGMOur annual general meeting(AGM), followed by the All-Ireland Safety Quiz final,took place on the 16th ofApril last in the ClaytonHotel, Galway. Both eventswere well attended.

Long serving honorarytreasurer of the NationalIrish Safety Organisation(NISO) and chairman of themidland region, Jim Shaw,retired after thirty yearsinvolvement with NISO,both at regional andnational levels. Jim Shawhad also served a term as thehonorary secretary. Onbehalf of everyone in NISO,we wish Jim a long andhappy retirement. DesBrandon from the easternregion committee and amembers nominee to theexecutive committee formany years, is the newhonorary treasurer of NISO.

HSAThe debate on the future ofthe Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) is still inthe arena with many groupsand individuals within thesafety community acceptingchange has to be made inthese turbulent times. Theproposed amalgamation ofthe HSA into the newBusiness Inspection andLicensing Authority (BILA)is voiced as not being thecorrect way forward. Thereare many other statutorybodies that represent safetyin the broad context of theword, to name but a few: the

Road Safety Authority,Maritime Safety Directorateand the Irish AviationAuthority.

What is being proposedpresently goes against thesentiments of the BarringtonCommission report, whichstates that health and safetyshould be kept separatefrom industrial relations.The Government’s ownIndecon report states quiteclearly that poor health andsafety was costing the Irisheconomy 3.6 billion euro perannum. The McCarthy ‘AnBord Snip Nua’ reportsuggested merging the HSAwith the NationalEmployment RightsAuthority (NERA) at anannual saving of 5 millioneuro. The safety communityneeds to be clearly consultedon the future ofoccupational health, safetyand welfare so that thecorrect status is maintainedthrough the excellent workof the HSA, thus beingallowed to continue andmaintain a presence in theIrish workplace.

ConferenceThe NISO annualconference this year willtake place on the 7th ofOctober in the MaltonHotel, Killarney. This willbe hosted by the southernregion committee. Theconference, entitled ‘Healthand Safety in ChallengingTimes’, will include a panelof speakers both nationaland international.

The closing date has nowpassed for submissions tothe NISO/Northern IrelandSafety Group (NISG)Annual Safety Awards,which will be presented atthe gala dinner following theannual conference. NISOheld a number of workshopsin relation to the safetyawards earlier this year.These workshops were wellattended and it is my beliefthat they contributed to theincreased number ofsubmissions received.

At this year’s safety awards,in conjunction with theConstruction SafetyPartnership (CSP), a newcategory of award has beenintroduced for innovation inconstruction. This award isaimed at small contractorsand sub contractors. Toenter the award, a simpleapplication form can bedownloaded from the NISOwebsite: www.niso.ie.

The closing date forcompleted application formsto be returned to NISO isFriday, 29th of July.Therefore, if there are anysmall contractor or subcontractor who has excelledin their approach to healthand safety whilst carryingout work on your behalf,then why not take the timeto nominate them andcomplete the application.

IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial/President’s Message.................2NISO/National News ..............3

FEATURESWorkplace Health Promotion in Ireland................5Quiz 2011 Finals and Regional Results.........................6Benefits of the NISOCertificate in OccupationalSafety and Health.....................7

FORUM HSA: Taking Care ofBusiness…....................................8IOSH: International Workers’ Memorial Day..........9IBEC: Planning for SensibleRisk Management...................10

NISO Annual Conference.....12

Helpline .....................................13

Legislation Update ..................15

Upcoming Events ..................16

Visit www.niso.ie todownload previouscopies of the NISOUpdate!

EDITORIAL

2 NISO UPDATE! SUMMER 2011

NISO Update! is issuedby the National IrishSafety Organisation(NISO).

Material printed in NISO Update!is not necessarily endorsed by theNational Irish SafetyOrganisation.

Editorial enquiries to: The Editor,NISO, A11 Calmount Park,Calmount Avenue, Ballymount,Dublin 12. Tel: 01 465 9760 Fax: 01 465 9765 Email: [email protected]

Design & Print: Print Bureau Tel: 01 4733 567www.printbureau.ie

Pauric Corrigan, president,

National Irish Safety Organisation

NISO Update celebrates it’s secondanniversary in electronic format.Distribution of NISO Update electronicallyhas proved a success with circulationincreasing within the memberorganisations by way of internal networks.

NEWS

NISO UPDATE! SUMMER 2011 3

The executive director of the Helsinkibased European Chemicals Agency(ECHA), Mr Geert Dancet,congratulated Ireland for the efficiencyand speed that it has introduced theEuropean Union wide REACHRegulation.

Speaking at a meeting of regulators andindustry stakeholders hosted by theHealth and Safety Authority (HSA), MrDancet said, “I would like to thank theIrish authorities for implementingREACH and for their valuablecontributions so far. The expertise oftheir scientific staff has ensured thatIreland has high awareness levels of theaims, obligations and benefits of theREACH Regulation”.

Martin O’Halloran, chief executive ofthe HSA, said that Ireland’s approachto introducing REACH involvedconsultation and collaboration withindustry and co-regulators alike. “Priorto the introduction of REACH webegan a targeted awareness campaignand we continue to liaise with industrythrough our helpdesk and inspectorate.By making sure that everyone is awareof their responsibilities we ensure thatthose who use chemicals are betterinformed to address the risks tothemselves, others and theenvironment”.

The REACH regulation applies to anybusiness manufacturing, importing,selling, buying or using chemical

substances. Everyone from printers tometal fabricators to large chemicalmanufacturers have obligations.Products as diverse as pharmaceuticalcomponents, bleach, textiles and PCscould also be covered depending on thesubstances involved.

For further information, please viewthe HSA website: www.hsa.ie.

EU Chemicals Chief praises Ireland’s approachto Chemical Safety

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise andInnovation, Richard Bruton, T.D., hascalled on farmers to make safety apriority during what is a period ofheightened activity on farms. He urgedall farmers to keep their safety and thatof their families in mind at all times.

Mr Bruton, T.D., speaking after fourpeople were killed on Irish farms insidean eight-week period, said if theaccident rate continues at this pace, 2011will be yet another year with a tragicallyhigh accident rate on farms. Mr Bruton,T.D., said he intends to call farming

interests together in the near future todiscuss farm safety and to encouragethem to continue to spread the farmsafety message.

According to Martin O’Halloran, chiefexecutive of the Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA), “roughly 50% of allfarm deaths involve farm vehicles ormachinery and unguarded PTO shaftsare still the cause of many deaths onfarms. The next most dangerous area islivestock-handling (HSA has recentlypublished Safe Handling of Cattle onFarms), with livestock attacks

accounting for 15% of farm deaths overthe last 10 years and the third mostcommon cause of death on a farm isdrowning (14%), with open slurry pitsparticularly dangerous where childrenare present. These are the areas that ourinspectors will be looking at first whenthey visit a farm”.

For further information and todownload documents on safety inagriculture, please visit the HSA website:www.hsa.ie.

Minister calls for improved safety on farms

Guidance on theSafe Handling ofCattle on Farms

A new report from the Health andSafety Authority (HSA), the AnnualOutput Statement 2010, gives detailsof the Authority’s income andexpenditure for 2009 and 2010. Thereport also shows how the Authoritydeployed its staff. The figures for2009 are confirmed, while the 2010figures are described as estimates.

The Authority’s income for 2009 was€22,888,000. In 2010 it was€22,209,000. The bulk of theincome came from the Governmentgrant: €21,959,000, with just€250,000 coming from otheractivities. Other activities includepublications, seminars and fees.

The Authority’s budget is dividedacross four programme areas. Thefour areas are compliance,prevention, chemicals and corporate.In 2010, the Authority employed 193people (listed as 192.9) and therewere 25 persons in receipt ofpensions, up from 23 in 2009.

In 2010, the Authority spent half of itsgrant - €11,055,000 - on the compliance

(enforcement) division: €6,722,000 onpay and €4,208,000 on non-pay items.The report estimates that the Authoritycarried out 15,000 inspections in 2010.100 staff (100.3) were employed in thisdivision. The prevention servicesdivision, with 41 staff (40.8), cost anestimated €4,993,000 to run in 2010.Pay accounted for €3,037,000 of thissum, with non-pay items accounting for€1,900,000.

The chemicals policy division whichemployed 22 people (21.8), cost€3,644,000 to run. Of this€2,216,000 went on pay and€1,387,000 on non-pay items. Thereport estimates that 465 inspectionswere carried out in this division.

The corporate services divisionaccounted for 30 staff (30.4) andcost €2,514,000 to run. €1,529,000was spent on pay and €929,000 onnon-pay items.

The Annual Output Statement 2010is available from the HSA website:www.hsa.ie.

HSA Annual Output Statement

Delivering the presidential address atthe National Irish Safety Organisation(NISO) annual general meeting(AGM), NISO president PauricCorrigan said that while thecontinuing downturn is affecting theIrish economy, NISO is continuing torecruit new members. Last year 86new members joined the organisationand the total number of members wasjust 11 down on the previous year.

Mr Corrigan said the financialposition continued to improve. NISOrecorded a surplus of €99,380 in2010, compared to €92,724 in 2009.The organisation is also reducing themortgage on its headquarterspremises at the rate of €15,000 perquarter.

Mr Corrigan expressed special thanks

to the former Minister for LabourAffairs, Dara Calleary, T.D., for a€15,000 grant to support thedevelopment of a FETAC Level 4health and safety course. The newcourse is aimed at newly recruitedpersons and those seekingemployment. The course is intendedto reduce the burden on employers totrain staff on health and safety whentaking up employment.

Mr Corrigan paid a special tribute toJim Shaw, who, after over 30 yearsinvolvement with NISO, many ofthem on the national executive,announced his retirement. Jim Shawhad been both honorary secretary andhonorary treasurer of NISO and hadgiven years of dedicated service to theorganisation.

NISO AGM

NEWS


The Health and Safety Authority (HSA)has introduced an information sheethighlighting control measures requiredin the healthcare setting to preventsharps injuries occurring.

Prevention of Sharps Injuries inHealthcare advises that sharps injuriesmay result in the transmission of bloodviruses such as human immunedeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B orC. The main legislation covering therisk of exposure to sharps at work is theSHWW Act 2005 and Biological AgentsRegulations 1994 and 1998. Theinformation sheet also outlines theimportance of carrying out a riskassessment in the workplace and listssome basic preventative measures suchas ‘hand washing after each patientcontact’.

Prevention of Sharps Injuries inHealthcare can be downloaded from theHSA website: www.hsa.ie.

HSAPrevention ofSharpsInjuries inHealthcare

The risk of occupational acquisition of a BBV froma patient to a healthcare worker is related to:! The prevalence of the virus in the patientpopulation

! The efficiency of the virus transmission after asingle contact with blood

! The nature and frequency of occupationalblood contact

! The susceptibility of the healthcare workerThe risk of infection following a percutaneous injury,especially a deep penetrating injury involving ahollow bore needle or a device visibly contaminatedwith infected blood has been estimated at 1 in 3for HBV, 1 in 30 for HCV and 1 in 300 for HIV!.

HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWThe main legislation covering the risk of exposureto injury and infection from sharps at work is theSafety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 andthe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (BiologicalAgents) Regulations, 1994 and amendmentRegulations, 1998.

Prevention of Sharps Injuries in HealthcareInformation Sheet

Framework AgreementCouncil Directive 2010/32/EU of the 10th May2010 implements the ‘Framework Agreement onprevention of sharp injuries in the hospital andhealthcare sector’.

The Agreement aims to protect workers in thehealthcare sector at risk of injury from all medicalsharps and the risk of infections caused by medicalsharps. In the Directive sharps are defined as‘objects or instruments necessary for the exerciseof specific healthcare activities, which are able tocut, prick, cause injury and/or infection’.The Directive provides for an integrated approachto risk assessment, risk prevention, training,information, awareness raising and monitoringand for response and follow up procedures. TheCouncil Directive can be viewed in the OfficialJournal of the European Union available at theEUR-lex website and the HSA website atwww.hsa.ie. Each

member state includingIreland has 3 years totranspose the Directiveinto national legislation(by May 2013).

March 2011

!"#$%&

The purpose of this information sheet is to highlight controlmeasures required in the healthcare setting to prevent sharpsinjuries occurring.

Sharps injuries in the healthcare setting may result in thetransmission of blood borne viruses (BBVs) such as hepatitis B(HBV) hepatitis C (HCV) or Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV).Healthcare workers may acquire a BBV if exposed to infectedblood or body fluids. This could be via the mucous membranes(eyes, mouth and nose), through broken skin or through aninoculation injury where the skin is punctured or scratched bya needle or sharp device that has been used in a medicalprocedure, this final route is known as a needle stick orsharps injury.

! Eye of the Needle, Health Protection Agency, UK, 2008


FEATURE

What is workplace healthpromotion (WHP)?Health promotion is anapproach to dealing withhealth issues whichoriginated in Canada andthe US in the late 1970s. Itemerged as a response tothe rising costs of healthcare and the then focus ontreatment and care ratherthan prevention andpromotion, and was part ofthe new public healthapproach. Healthpromotion quickly movedinto the workplace in theUS, where it was taken upby larger companies as ameans of helping to controlhealth care insurance costsas well as promoting thehealth of workers. Inessence, it sought to bringpublic health concernsabout lifestyle and diseaseinto the workplace setting.WHP programmes of thistype focused on individualrisk factors such as diet,smoking and obesity relatedto the major killer diseasessuch as heart disease andcancer.

WHP was slower to takehold in Europe, in partbecause it was not usual foremployers to carry the costsof health care insurance for

employees. In addition, astronger tradition ofoccupational health andsafety in Europe implied amore structural andcollectivist approach toworkplace health issues.Accordingly, WHP inEurope is more concernedwith the environment inwhich health is promotedand not solely with whatthe individual may do.

The European approach toWHPIn 1996, the EuropeanNetwork for WorkplaceHealth Promotion(ENWHP) was formed withmembers from each of thethen EU Member States.ENWHP initially developedthe LuxembourgDeclaration, which set outthe philosophy andapproach to be taken toWHP in Europe. It states:‘Workplace healthpromotion is the combinedefforts of employers,employees and society toimprove the health andwellbeing of people atwork. This can be achievedthrough a combination of: • Improving work

organisation and thework environment.

• Promoting activeparticipation.

• Encouraging personaldevelopment’.

Since providing thisdefinition (and aspiration),the ENWHP has gone on toundertake a series ofprojects that are designed todemonstrate how WHPworks in a variety ofsettings, e.g. largeworkplaces, SMEs andpublic administrations. It

has also showed projectsthat address a range ofcommon health issuesincluding cardiovascularhealth and most recentlymental health. The currentinitiative of the ENWHP isconcerned with retainingand reintegrating ill orinjured workers to theworkplace.

The benefits of WHPThere has been muchresearch into the benefits ofWHP. It has consistentlybeen found that return oninvestment is of the order of3-5:1. Moreover, there arehealth benefits; dependingon the nature of the healthintervention, improvementshave been demonstrated interms of cardiovascularhealth, fitness, weightreduction and mentalhealth and wellbeing. Thereare also improvements inworkplace health indicatorssuch as reduced accidentrates and lower workplacestress.

WHP in IrelandThe practice of WHP inIreland has been influencedby developments in both theUS and Europe. It ispossible to see the USlifestyle risk factor basedapproaches in many of theUS multinationals andelsewhere. The Irish HeartFoundation and the IrishCancer Society also provideWHP interventions that fallwithin this approach.

The European approach isalso taken in Ireland,though it is somewhat lesscommon. Nonetheless,there have been initiatives inthe health services and local

government sectors whichillustrate the benefits ofcomprehensive approachesto WHP.

However, the level ofsupport for organisationswishing to undertake WHPhas been dwindling inrecent times. This may betraced back to the earlypart of this century, whenthe Department of Healthwas unable to develop apolicy in the area and toprovide the dedicated WHPstaff within the healthboards with a clearmandate to act. Inaddition, attempts todevelop a coherentcollaboration betweenpublic health authoritiesand health and safetyagencies have proveddifficult.

In order for WHP to furtherdevelop, there is a need toaddress this low level ofofficial support for theapproach. At this time ofeconomic uncertaintywhich is leading toincreased health risks forboth employees andunemployed people, there isa greater need than ever topromote the health of theworkforce of Ireland.

Useful references for WHPinclude:• The European Network

for Workplace HealthPromotion:www.enwhp.org.

• The European MentalHealth PromotionNetwork:www.mentalheathpromotion.net.

Workplace Health Promotion in Ireland

Dr Richard Wynne, director, WorkResearch Centre

FEATURE


Quiz 2011 Finals and Regional ResultsAll Ireland Results

Previous Entrants Category Winners

1st Place: Covidien (Midland region winner)Gary Casey, Michael Lohan, Deirdre Mullins, James O’Grady

2nd Place: Nacco Materials Handling Group (NorthernIreland winner)James Hughes, Darren Johnston, Rafitz Khamish, MichaelaMcCall

3rd Place: Abbott Ireland Diagnostics Division (North Westregion winner)Alan Gallagher, Jude Mapp, Ronan McKiernan, CarolMcMahon

Novice Category Winners

1st Place: Abbott Ireland Diagnostics Division (North Westregion winner)Mark Carry, Orla Moore, Ciaran O’Donnell, Conor Sheridan

2nd Place: Thermo King (Western region winner)Martin Casserly, Barry Cullen, Dessie Pratt, Gerry Quinn

3rd Place: TLI (Mid Western region winner)Mary Barrett, Mairead Fitzmaurice, Ian Hasell, BrendanO’Driscoll

Other participating teams were:

PREVIOUS ENTRANTS CATEGORY TEAMS

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division (North Eastern regionwinner)Benny Igoe, Noel Quinn, Rose Rogers

Brothers of Charity Services Four Seasons (Western regionwinner)Enda Collins, Noel Connolly, Liz Joyce, Paula Mullery

Endesa Ireland (South Eastern region winner)J.J Murphy, Tony Murphy, Siobhan Redmond, Larry Shannon

Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals (Eastern region winner)Elizabeth Brett, Colm De Burca, Ian Leonard, Niall Ryan

NOVICE CATEGORY TEAMS

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division (North Eastern regionwinner)Tony Brady, Mary O’Shea, Claire Rooney

Elan Drug Technologies (Midland region winner)Denis Carroll, Kathryn Downey, Lorraine Rafferty, Aoife Taaffe

Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals (Eastern region winner)Robert Cuthbert, Jennifer Egan, Stephen Fennel, SandieFitzgibbon

McCue Interior Fitout Solutions (Northern Ireland winner)Christine Adlington, Paul Goodwin, Nadine McNabb, RichardWilk

Covidien, All Ireland Previous Entrants Category Winner

Abbott Ireland Diagnostics Division, All Ireland Novice Category Winner

Liam O’Carroll, pro, NISO western region; Pauric Corrigan, president, NISO; CiaranCannon, T.D


FEATURE

Every year up and down thecountry, professionals fromall backgrounds get involvedin the NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety andHealth course. Professionalsprovide and receive thecourse giving it a uniqueflavour; this melting pot ofacumen is enriching for boththe student and the lecturer.Lecturers come from all areasof industry and some teachwithin the third level system,this standard is guaranteedas all those involved arevetted by the National IrishSafety Organisation (NISO).

Experience tells us that thecourse attracts hardworkingtypes who are vocationallyaligned to the objectives ofthe course. They arrive toregister with a certainamount of trepidation – theyquestion their suitability asthe course has a reputationof being a challengingcourse. Those of us involvedknow the bigger picture; thecourse is tedious, it requiresdedication for the 15 weeksduration. We adviseparticipants to be savvy fromday one, that it is a greatinvestment and will paygenerous dividends.Participants are briefed onthe first day in studytechniques; for many it istheir first contact with

education in many years andthis can be a difficult stepback onto the learning curve.

IntroductionsThe first evening is importantas introductions take placeand the class get theirbearings. The tone is informaland comfortable, as class sizesare generally quitemanageable. Participantsrange from the self-employedsole trader to civil servants,the unemployed (who pay aconcessionary rate), partakersin continuous professionaldevelopment (CPD) and evensome retired persons involvedin voluntary work. There isno recipe, but invariably themix is an interesting one.These candidates all have onething in common; a deeprespect for work and for theimprovement of workingconditions, and this respectbrings out the most noble ofhuman qualities.

As a course co-ordinator andlecturer, the only thing

guaranteed on a first night ofthe course is this calibre ofhuman excellence. Classesare so uplifting as theparticipants always pull theirweight, they are inquisitiveand lively and they give backtheir life experience to thelecturer, which is enriching,indeed a treat.

CertificatesThe exertion required by thecourse is duly rewarded; eachparticipant gets back theeffort they put in. About amonth after the exam, thepresentation of certificatestakes place around thecountry. Our president willnormally be there and ifpossible a decision-maker oflocal relevance will presentthe awards. The participantsare invited to bring theirpartners, parents andchildren – and they turn upin their finest to celebratetheir success. Regional NISOcommittees prepare ‘a supand a nibble’ and answergraduate queries about the

next step of theirdevelopment. Somegraduates will continue intoa third level course, somewill join a regionalcommittee and some justneed to contemplate theirsuccess for a while beforemaking further moves.

We meet course participantsat later stages in their careersas the OSH profession comestogether for both NISO andnon-NISO calendar events.The consensus is always apositive one; the NISOIntroduction toOccupational Safety andHealth course is a valuableaddition to any CV andopens pathways into thisprofessional group atwhichever level the receiverwishes to enter.

For further information onthe NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety andHealth course, please visitthe NISO website:www.niso.ie.

Chris McCormack, lecturer, Athlone Institute of Technology(AIT), writes about the experience and benefits of the NISOIntroduction to Occupational Safety and Health course

Chris McCormack, lecturer, Dept. ofLife and Physical Sciences at AIT

Pauric Corrigan, president, NISO, pictured with graduates and lecturers at AIT

FORUM – HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY


‘Taking Care of Business’is a new focus by the HSAon the health and safetyneeds of small businesses.Health and safetylegislation applies to allbusinesses regardless ofsize but the HSA recognisesthat small businessowners/managers facequite a different set ofissues compared to theirlarger counterparts. In atypical small business, theowner/manager often hasresponsibility for a wholerange of functions –finance, HR, sales andmarketing, etc. – healthand safety may or may notfeature on the list. The keyobjective of the HSA is tomake sure it does feature!

Nationwide consultationMany small businessowners and managerswonder about theirobligations under health

and safety legislation.There can be confusion asto what they need to doand concern at the thoughtof a health and safetyinspector visiting theirworkplace.

Throughout the latter halfof last year, the HSAundertook a nationwideconsultation process withsmall businesses and thefeedback from that processwas used to inform thisnew initiative. One of thecommon issues we heardwas that small businessowners and managers donot know where to startwhen it comes to assessingthe level of risk in theirbusiness. Many do noteven realise that workplacehealth and safetylegislation applies to them.A common view was thathealth and safety was for‘big factories orconstruction sites’, i.e. itwas not relevant toordinary small businesses.

This was obviously veryconcerning as allworkplaces, regardless ofsize or whether or not theyoperate in what aretraditionally seen as highrisk sectors, are obliged toensure their workers andanyone else who could be

affected by workplaceactivity are protected.

Workplace accidentIt is important to stressthat the ‘Taking Care ofBusiness’ initiative is notabout meeting legalobligations or ensuringthat paperwork is in order.There is a solid businesscase supporting theeffective management ofworkplace health andsafety in small businesses.A workplace accident canhave a disproportionateimpact on small businessescompared to largerorganisations.

Small businesses often relyon one or two keyemployees and the impactfollowing the loss of a keyemployee due to prolongedabsence after a workplaceaccident can bedevastating. This is on topof potential additionalcosts in the form of higherinsurance premiums orcompensation paymentsfor example. To put itfrankly, a serious accidentcould be the straw thatbreaks the camel’s back fora small business strugglingto survive in the currenteconomic climate.

The HSA has a number of

important objectives forthe ‘Taking Care ofBusiness’ initiativeincluding:• To increase awareness

amongst small businessesof the importance ofeffective workplacehealth and safetymanagement. If smallbusinesses do not realisehow important themanagement ofworkplace health andsafety is, they will neverdevote any effort to it.

• To simplify the processof making workplacessafer and healthier andconsequently to reducethe time taken and thecosts involved in thisprocess. Small businessesdo not need complicatedsolutions and they cancertainly do without anyadditional costs.

• To support the needs ofsmall businesses in a verypractical manner. Smallbusiness owners tend tobe very practical andpragmatic, anything theHSA develops needs totick that box.

Time to BeSMARTOne of the key elements ofthe ‘Taking Care ofBusiness’ initiative isBeSMART, the new onlinerisk assessment tool

‘Taking Care of Business’, a major newinitiative for the Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA)Mary Dorgan of the HSA writes about BeSMART and the HSA’s new ‘Taking Care ofBusiness’ initiative to help small business owners/managers meet their workplacehealth and safety obligations and save money.

Mary Dorgan, assistant chiefexecutive, HSA

FORUM – INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH


developed by the HSA for about 70different small business types,including small shops and

convenience stores. Risk assessmentis the foundation of any effective

health and safety managementsystem. Without carrying out thisfirst step of identifying where therisk of workplace accidents lie, itis impossible to manage that riskin any sort of effective way.BeSMART is free, easy to useand available 24/7. It will helpsmall businesses identify therisk in the workplace and,most importantly, help the

small business owner/managerput in place precautions to make surethe level of risk is minimised.

Uptake of the new BeSMART toolhas been very strong to date andfeedback from business andstakeholders very positive. But this is

only the beginning of a long-termdrive by the HSA to make sure thatas many small businesses as possibleare aware of BeSMART and using itto assist them in making sure theirworkplaces are as safe as possible.With reduced potential for accidentsand lower costs for the business,BeSMART is a win win initiative foreveryone.

Queries on the ‘Taking Care ofBusiness’ initiative, BeSMART toolor any workplace health and safetyrelated matter should be directed tothe HSA’s contact centre at 1890 289389 or visit www.hsa.ie. BeSMARTcan be accessed free of charge athttp://besmart.hsa.ie.

IOSH Ireland branch markedWorkers’ Memorial Day on the 28thof April by planting a tree in SaintAnne’s Park, Dublin, out ofsymbolic respect for those who havelost their lives in the workplace. Theliquidambar styraciflua – adeciduous tree with five-pointed,star-shaped leaves and spiked fruit –was planted at midday.

International Workers’ MemorialDay remembers those who are killedat, or by work. It is also designed tostrengthen people’s resolve to reducerisks and protect people from injuryin the workplace.

Declan Gibney, IOSH Ireland branchchair, said, “Last year, 48 people inIreland lost their lives while at workand 17,900 people had an injury that

meant they had to have three ormore days off. Some people say thesethings will always happen and it’sjust part and parcel of life. Webelieve the vast majority can beavoided.

We are urging people to spend a fewmoments today thinking about theirworkplace, and whether they ortheir colleagues are takingunnecessary risks with their safetyor health. It is also a good time toget across to bosses and staff theimportance of health and safety,especially in these financiallyconstrained times”.

According to Gibney, “Businessesneed to take their responsibilitiesseriously in order to keep their staffsafe. That means holding proper

health and safety training andmanaging the risks they create”.

“From an IOSH point of view, overthe next 12 months we’ll be pushingharder than ever to reach thesmallest businesses with a messagethat proportionate, pragmatic healthand safety saves lives”, he added.

The Institution of Occupational Safety andHealth (IOSH) mark International Workers’Memorial Day


FORUM – IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION

It is an old cliché of fail toplan, plan to fail, but in thecontext of health andsafety and in particularyour arrangements formanaging health andsafety, there is no truerstatement.

Naturally, the resultingfailure could becatastrophic and involveinjury or harm toemployees or others, butmore common is a failurein administrativearrangements. So whywould these be of aconcern, after all, it is justwords and documentation.The biggest issue withsmall administrativefailures is that they canlead to an overlycomplicated and evenoverly bureaucratic,burdensome system whichultimately causes bothmanagement andemployees to lose faith andtrust in health and safetyprinciples.

Legislative perspectiveThe shift from the oldSafety, Health and Welfareat Work Act of 1989 to thecurrent 2005 version wasmuch more significant thanpeople imagine. Not just interms of personal liabilityfor managers, but thestrong focus on managinghealth and safety and thesubtle changes in thelegislation that occurred inorder to facilitate thischange in focus.

The biggest change was inthe nature and extent of asafety statement. Under the1989 provision, while mostemployers had moved to amore management baseddocument, generally, thedocument was just as itstitle suggests: a statementof what you are doing onhealth and safety.

With the addition of a dutyto ‘manage and conduct’work to safeguard healthand safety, immediatelythis document moved froma simple descriptivedocument to somethingreflecting theorganisation’s systems formanagement. In effect, itbecame an operationalmanual for health andsafety.

The immediate opinion onthis may be that the safetystatement has shifted froma simple document tosomething much more

detailed and complicated.This simply is not the case.The legislative movetowards a system thatreflects your risks and youroperations is a verysensible one for allemployers. Sensible as longas employers put the initialplanning in to adapting thedocument to their needs.

There are numerousoperational incentives tohaving a system thatreflects your specificbusiness needs, resourcesand undertaking, but thereare also very significant(and subtle) legislativeprovisions that really makethe initial planning ofmanaging health and safetyabsolutely critical.

In effect, once a safetystatement (and thereforethe risk assessments) isapproved by seniormanagement, the companymust operate to thestandards it has detailed inthis document. Onceapproved, the employer isstating that this system, thearrangements that aredescribed and theadditional controlmeasures are all reasonablypracticable. You thereforehave no reasonableargument to not followyour own standards.

Adapt safety managementsystemsOne major critical means

of ensuring a system isadequate is to resist thetemptation to mirrorabsolutely all informationand guidance. Remember,it is just that: guidance. Itoffers some clarity, it offersa sense of direction, but itis not there to provide allthe answers, it cannot suitall employers in all cases.

Your company will alreadyhave in place systems formanagement, allocatingresources, communication,consultation, supervision,monitoring, reviewing, etc.The key question is whycreate something entirelynew and separate just forhealth and safety? If allthese factors operate wellalready for all otherbusiness functions, whycreate a totallyindependent system?Adapt, as much as ispossible, the managementof health and safety to theexisting arrangements, donot try to create somethingnew or try and adapteverything else to healthand safety.

This will require a largeinitial review. You will haveto look at what the lawrequires, any interpretationof this and then whataspects of your currentoperations can absorb thatfunction and role. Allsafety managementsystems, whether devisedas standards or guidance,

Carl Anders, health and safety executive at IBEC,discusses the planning for sensible riskmanagement

Carl Anders, health and safetyexecutive, IBEC


FORUM – IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION

follow the principles ofgeneral good operationalmanagement, so there willbe many areas that willcross over and slot intoexisting functions. There isno need to duplicate theseroles and arrangements.

Following this review, notonly is it easier to puttogether a safetystatement, but it is a muchmore efficient andrepresentative document.

Consult with everyoneinvolvedIt is now well establishedthat the management ofhealth and safety is ledfrom the top down. Thismust be reflected in thesafety statement where weassign duties and roles tothe management function.However, it is important toalso remember that asemployees of anorganisation, they have theright to be consulted too.

Ensure that where dutiesand tasks are assigned to

different job functions atall levels, that there is aperiod of consultation.This isn’t just to satisfy thelegislative requirement toconsult, but to ensure thatthe details within thedocument are reasonablypracticable and can beachieved.

Whether it is employeesproviding feedback on apolicy and how they canintroduce the new workmethods into their existingoperations, or managerslooking at daily or weeklyinspections; if there arereasonable grounds tojustify adapting thearrangements to somethingmore reasonablypracticable, consultationwill identify this.

Focus on risk assessmentAs with ensuring youcomplete thorough reviewof current managementarrangements, riskassessment provides themost powerful tool to bothsecuring health and safety

and ensuring appropriatemanagement of health andsafety.

Putting the time and effortinto a detailed andconstructive riskassessment and into aprocess of involvement andconsultation across alllevels of the company willresult in more accurate andreflective assessments. Thiswill then provide moreaccurate and reflectivecontrol measures.

ConclusionThe term ‘reasonablypracticable’ is oftenmisunderstood, but it is acritical part of makinghealth and safetyregulation as reasonable aspossible. But in order toachieve that level of duecare and provide a systemthat is representative of thebusiness, the initialplanning phase isfundamental.

Ensure that as well aslooking at the detail in the

legislation, you also reviewthe current managementsystems within theorganisation and identifywhere there are commonareas that can absorbhealth and safetyarrangements.

Ensure that riskassessments are given thetime and attention theyneed, not just to identifyhazards and evaluate risk,but to truly reflect on whatcontrol measures attaingood risk management andmeans that employees andmanagers can still meetoperational requirements.

Consult with everyone whois involved. Listen to whatthey have to say. Discussany perceived clashes withhealth and safety andoperational needs sensibly.Be prepared to adapt orchange a system wherethere are reasonablegrounds to do so.

Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities are available

For further information, please contact Ted O’Keeffe. [email protected]

or phone 01 465 9760

HELPLINE


Help on work at height, working nearwater and display screen equipmentBrian O’Connor answers members’ queries.

Question 1I am employed to carry outinspections of various sites(non-construction). I am anon-employee of these sitesand working at height is acommon hazard in my work.The main form of access tosuch areas is via ladder. Is ita requirement that personsmust undergo training touse ladders? Also, many ofthe sites provide very littleor no edge protection.Should there be anyprovisions in place toprotect non-employees onthese sites?

Answer 1The simple answer to bothyour questions is yes. As anon-employee carrying outinspections on various sites,the employer of each site hasa duty to manage andconduct his/her undertakingin such a way as to ensure, sofar as is reasonablypracticable, that in thecourse of the work being

carried on, individuals at theplace of work (not being hisor her employees) are notexposed to risks to theirsafety, health or welfare(section 12 of the SHWWAct 2005).

This means the employer ofeach site that you visit musthave all the necessaryprecautions in place toensure the safety, health andwelfare of persons not beinghis or her employees at theplace of work. Also, theemployers of these sites mustensure that you receiveinstructions relating to anyrisks to your safety, healthand welfare in that place ofwork as necessary orappropriate.

Regarding your question onthe use of ladders. Youremployer must provideinformation, instruction,training and supervisionnecessary to ensure, so far asis reasonably practicable, the

safety, health, and welfare atwork of his or her employees(section 8 of the SHWW Act2005). As per the informationsheet on Using Ladders Safely,‘Training is a key element tothe safe use of ladders.Employers must ensure thatemployees are provided withtraining and information inrelation to safe ladder use.Ladder users must becompetent in their use. Theymust know how to check it,carry it, erect it, use it, andmove it all in a safe manner’.

For further information onworking at height andworking with ladders, pleaseview the Guide to the Safety,Health and Welfare at Work(General Application)Regulations 2007 – Part4:Working at Height, and theinformation sheet UsingLadders Safely. Bothpublications are availablefrom the Health and SafetyAuthority website:www.hsa.ie.

Question 2 I am a contractor (not themain contractor) involved inthe construction of a bridgewhere we are working inclose proximity to a river.We were informed atinduction training thatdrowning is the main risk onthe site. I have never beeninvolved with such a projectbefore and wonder whatprecautions I as a contractorshould be taking?

Answer 2As per section 86 of theSHWW (Construction)Regulations 2006, acontractor responsible for aconstruction site shall ensurethat where, on or adjacent tothe site, there is water intowhich a person, in the courseof his or her work, is liableto fall with risk of drowning- suitable rescue equipment isprovided and kept in anefficient state, ready for use,arrangements are made forthe prompt rescue of anysuch person who is in dangerof drowning, and,personal flotation devicesconforming to European

Brian O’Connor, health and safetyspecialist, National Irish SafetyOrganisation


Norm (EN) or equivalentstandards, as appropriate,are provided and worn at alltimes on the site.

As a contractor, you mustidentify the hazardspresented on the site andcarry out a risk assessment.This will help to assess thelevel of risk posed by eachhazard. You must takeaccount of the safety andhealth plan when carryingout the risk assessment andwhen deciding on controls.The safety and health plan,which will containarrangements for controllingsignificant site risks, must bebrought to your attention bythe project supervisor for theconstruction stage (PSCS). Acontractor must bring to theattention of his/heremployees any rulesapplicable to them containedin the safety and health plan.

Based on the identification ofhazards and risk assessment,you must prepare a writtensafety statement that willinclude plans and proceduresto be followed, protective andpreventative measures andthe duties of personnel onsite. A copy of this safetystatement must be providedto the PSCS. It is veryimportant that the safetystatement and its contentsare brought to the attentionof employees. Where thereare specific tasks beingperformed at the place ofwork that pose a serious riskto safety, health or welfare,an employer shall bring tothe attention of thoseaffected by that risk relevantextracts of the safetystatement setting out—the risk identified,the risk assessment, and,the protective and preventivemeasures taken inaccordance with the relevantstatutory provisions inrelation to that risk (section20 of the SHWW Act 2005).

It is very important thatemployees receive training onthe plans and procedures tobe followed on the site andtraining on any equipmentand personal protectiveequipment (PPE) that is usedduring the work.

Question 3 I work in an office andrecently I have started toexperience pain in my upperback during the day. Themajority of the day I ampositioned at my workstation,which comprises of a desk,chair and a computer. I thinkthat perhaps the chair that Iam using is causing the backpain. Can you please let meknow if there are any healthand safety requirements for achair?

Answer 3As per schedule 4 of theSHWW (GeneralApplication) Regulations2007, the following are theminimum requirements for awork chair at a workstation(workstation is defined inregulation 70 of the SHWW(General Application)Regulations 2007):• The work chair shall be

stable and allow the usereasy freedom of movementand a comfortableposition.

• The seat shall be adjustablein height.

• The seat back shall beadjustable in both heightand tilt.

• A footrest shall be madeavailable to any user whorequires one.

The back pain you areexperiencing may be due to anumber of factors rather thanany single cause. Holding apart of the body rigid for along time such as the backmay cause discomfort in themuscles, bones and tendons.However, if this pain iscausing you a great deal ofdiscomfort then I suggest youcontact a registered medicalpractitioner who will be ableto provide an accuratediagnosis, and may alsopropose necessary protectiveor preventative measures.

A competent person mustcarry out an analysis of yourworkstation in order toevaluate possible risks thatmay give rise to visual orphysical difficulties or to

mental stress. As anemployee at the workstation,you should be given theopportunity to comment inthe course of the analysis.This documented analysisshould include:• An overview of your tasks

at the workstation.• Evidence that the

minimum requirements forall display screenequipment (as specified inschedule 4 of the SHWW(General Application)Regulations 2007) weretaken into account as partof the analysis.

• Details of issues that needto be followed up.

• Details of an action plan toaddress outstanding issues.

For further information onthis topic, please view theGuide to the Safety, Healthand Welfare at Work(General Application)Regulations 2007 – Chapter 5of Part 2: Display ScreenEquipment. This document isavailable from the Healthand Safety Authority website:www.hsa.ie.

Brian O’Connor BSc OSH, MSc EHS

HELPLINE

LEGISLATION UPDATE


New Irish legislation and information guidesMarch 2011 - June 2011

Legislation

The Chemicals (AsbestosArticles) Regulations 2011The Chemicals (AsbestosArticles) Regulations 2011,which came into operationon the 31st of May 2011,specify how the Health andSafety Authority (HSA) mayissue a certificate to exemptan asbestos-containingarticle, or category of sucharticles, from the prohibitionon the placing on the marketof an asbestos-containingarticle provided for by Article67 and Annex XVII of theEU REACH Regulation1907/2006.

The regulations set down theprocedures for applying foran exemption certificate andthe process by which theHSA will make its decisionto grant or refuse such acertificate application. Thereis also a procedure wherebythe HSA can revoke anydecision to grant anexemption certificate and anappeals procedure wherebydecisions of the HSA underthese regulations can beappealed to an appealsofficer.

Road Traffic Act 2011Minister for Transport,Tourism and Sport, LeoVaradkar, T.D., has confirmedthat major new road safetymeasures came into force onthe 1st of June 2011 formandatory breath testing.

From this date, Gardaí arerequired to conduct apreliminary breath test wherethey believe a driver hasconsumed alcohol, or at thescene of a crash wheresomeone has been injuredand requires medicalattention. The new measureshave been brought in throughthe Road Traffic Act 2011,the first piece of legislationunder the new Governmentto be signed into law by thePresident.

Safety of Fishing VesselsRegulations 2007(Revocation) Regulations2011The Minister for Transporton the 9th of February 2011revoked the Safety of FishingVessels Regulations (S.I. No.563 of 2007) under the Safetyof Fishing VesselsRegulations 2007(Revocation) Regulations2011.

The 2007 Regulations are nolonger required becausepowers and arrangements forthe raising of sunken vesselsare now provided in Part 5 ofthe Merchant Shipping Act2010 (No. 14 of 2010).

All legislation listed in thisarticle can be downloadedfrom the NISO website:www.niso.ie.

Guides and Information

CSP Activity and Progress2008 - 2010The Construction SafetyPartnership (CSP) hasproduced an activity andprogress report for the threeyear period, 2008 - 2010.This report examines the sixgoals set by the CSP in 2007and reports on theirbackground, objectives,outcomes and conclusions.

CSP Plan 2011The CSP has published theirprogramme of work for2011. The CSP has agreedfive key objectives covering:design and procurement,small contractors/subcontractors, constructionplant and equipment, workerengagement and safetyrepresentative facilitationand benchmarking.

According to Peter McCabe,chairman, CSP, the partnerorganisations, which includeNISO, are again committedto sharing and carrying outthe necessary work to ensurethat the overall targets ofcontinual reduction in therate and cost of accidentswill be achieved.

Prevention of SharpsInjuries in HealthcareThe HSA has produced a guideto highlight control measuresrequired in the healthcaresetting to prevent sharpsinjuries occurring (see pagefour for further information).

Information Sheet onChemical Distributors Dutiesunder REACH and CLPThe HSA has produced aninformation guide fordistributors of chemicals.Distributors of chemicalshave duties under EUchemical legislationincluding the REACH(Registration, Evaluation,Authorisation and restrictionof Chemicals) Regulationand the Classification,Labelling and Packaging(CLP) Regulation.

Guidance on Safety withMobile Patient Hoists andSlings in HealthcareEstablishmentsPatient hoists and slings areused in many healthcareestablishments to assist in themoving and handling ofpatients and reduce the degree

of manual handling required bythe carer. The information sheetproduced by the HSA providesguidance for employers andemployees in healthcareestablishments on safety withmobile hoists and slings.

Safe Handling of Cattle onFarmsAny work with cattleinvolves some level of risk.This publication, released bythe HSA on the 23rd of June2011, has been prepared toprovide general advice andguidance to all personshandling cattle on farms.

Forklift Truck OperatorChecklist and PosterForklift Truck Operator Pre-Use Checklist and PosterThe HSA have producedthese useful posters/checklists for forkliftoperators. The posters/checklists includeinformation on visual checks,working environment, if usedon the public road,practical/operational checksand thorough examination.

Bus Driver / PSV Walk-Around Check SheetTruck / HGV Driver WalkAround Check SheetVan / LGV Driver Walk-Around Check SheetThe HSA have producedthese sample driver walk-around checklists. It isrecommended that operatorsprepare their own driverwalk-around checklists toaccount for the type and useof their own vehicles.

The listed guides,information and checklistsare available from the HSAwebsite: www.hsa.ie.

A comprehensive report ofthis article can bedownloaded from the NISOwebsite: www.niso.ie.

Ted O’Keeffe, operations manager,National Irish Safety Organisation


EVENTS

National Irish Safety OrganisationEvents DiaryPlease keep an eye on our website: www.niso.ie, for forthcoming courses in 2011.

NISO, A11 Calmount Park, Calmount Avenue, Ballymount, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 465 9760 Fax: 01 465 9765 Email: [email protected] Website: www.niso.ie

Occupational First AidRefresher/Re-CertificationCourse, FETAC Level 5 (Course Length: 1 day)June 28

Safe Pass Course (Course Length: 1 day)July 1 / July 8 / July 15

Health and SafetyRepresentation Course, L22487,FETAC Level 5(Course Length: 3 days)July 4, 5, 6,

Manual Handling InstructorCourse, 6N0233, FETAC Level 6(Course Length: 5 days)July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19

Occupational First Aid Course,FETAC Level 5 (Course Length: 3 days)July 12, 13, 14

VDU/DSE Assessors Course (Course Length: 1 day)July 14

Basic Manual Handling Course (Course Length: Half day)July 6 / August 24

Safety and Health at Work,D20165, FETAC Level 5 (Course Length: 10 weeks,Tuesdays from 2pm-6pm, plus a1.5 hours exam)October 12

EAST REGIONSeminar: Responsibilities ofDirectors and Employers underSection 80 and 81 of the SHWWAct 2005 Venue: Gresham Hotel, Dublin 1July 28 - to be confirmed Contact: email [email protected]

MIDLAND REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and HealthVenue: Athlone Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks,Mondays for 2 hours)September 26Contact: Dr Sean Reidy – 090642 4400 – [email protected]

MIDWEST REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and Health Venue: Limerick Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks,Tuesdays for 2 hours)September 27Contact: Trevor Montgomery –087 695 7362 – [email protected]

NORTHEAST REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and Health Venue: Dundalk Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks,Tuesdays for 2 hours)Commencing date to be confirmed

Contact: [email protected]

Course: NISO Health and SafetyRepresentation Course, L22487,FETAC Level 5 Venue: Dundalk Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks,Tuesdays for 2 hours)Commencing date to beconfirmedContact: [email protected]

NISO Annual Conference and Trade ExhibitionOctober 7, Malton Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry

NISO and NISG Health and Safety Awards CeremonyOctober 7, Malton Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry

1. Courses scheduled at NISO Training Centre, Ballymount, Dublin 12

2. Courses and events in the regions

3. National Events

heal th pr omotion · bor d snip nuaÕ r epor t sug gested mer ging the hsa with the national ......

Documents