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SPRING 2013

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

and safety in Irish workplaces

SAFETY OF YOUNG PERSONS IN THE WORKPLACE

INSIDE

ALL IRELAND SAFETYQUIZ FINALS 2013 -RESULTS

HELP ON SPACEREQUIREMENTS,DISABILITY ANDDRIVING FOR WORK

NISOPresident Reports

It now appears we have aneven greater burden to dealwith in the health and safetycommunity with fundingbeing reduced to the Healthand Safety Authority (HSA)by central Government,leading to a reduction instaffing and resourcesavailable to monitor, supportand enforce health and safetyin the Irish workplace.

One could argue that thesecuts may increase the burdenon businesses through poorhealth and safety standardsand higher fines in the courtsas a result. The reduction infunding to the HSA may alsoincrease insurance premiumsand become a burden whencompanies are completingpre-qualifying questionnaireswhen tendering for contracts.

Increase fundingOne way of increasingfunding for the HSA would befor the Department ofFinance to return the finesawarded in the courts for poorhealth and safety standards tothe Authority's annual budget,such as the recent €1m finehanded down at WexfordCircuit Court.

NISO will continue tosupport and work to maintainstandards in health and safetyin the workplace. An exampleof this is the very successfulseries of safety representativeseminars recently heldthroughout the country.

An area that NISO isconsidering to pursue is farm

safety following a verysuccessful farm safety seminarheld in Tullamore where atotal of ninety delegatesattended. NISO`s objective isto promote occupationalhealth and safety in all placesof work with the aim ofreducing accidents and illhealth. The executivecommittee of NISO hasendorsed this programme offarm safety workshops.

AGMNISO held its 21st AnnualGeneral Meeting (AGM) onSaturday 13 April in theRadisson Blu Hotel, Limerick,followed by the All IrelandSafety Quiz Final. It was thefirst major function that NISOhas held in this the 50th yearanniversary of the organisation.The AGM was well attendedand both the president’s andhonorary secretary’s reportsreflected on the work of NISOover the last twelve months andhighlighted some of the pastand present issues that NISOhas faced and dealt with in its50 years of existence.

A report given by thehonorary treasurer, DesBrandon, reported thatNISO’s mortgage on its headoffice was paid off in Marchthis year and concluded thatNISO was in a soundfinancial standing. I wouldlike to thank all the membersand life honorary memberswho attended our AGM.

I would like to extend mycongratulations to the winnersand runners up of the 40th All

Ireland Safety Quiz Final. Thesafety quiz was first held inLimerick in 1974 and wasinspired by past president PatStoran. This years previousentrants winners were SSEGeneration Ireland Ltd.representing the south eastregion, while runners up wereAbbott Ireland NutritionalDivision representing the northeast region. Winners of thenovice category were AbbottIreland Diagnostics Divisionrepresenting the north westregion, while runners up wereClarochem Ireland Ltd.representing the eastern region.

Well done to all the teamsrepresenting the eight regionsand Northern Ireland inreaching the All Ireland SafetyQuiz Final. Every team was awinner in their own region. Abig thanks to all who helpedand supported the events onSaturday 13 April.

Conference and awardsNISO’s annual conference andsafety awards ceremony (inconjunction with NISG) willbe hosted this year by theNISO western regioncommittee and will take placein the Radisson Blu Hotel,Galway on Friday 4 October2013. The theme of this yearsconference is titled SafetyFifty and Beyond. Theconference will be followedthat evening by a gala dinnerand safety awardspresentation.

Pauric CorriganPresident, National IrishSafety Organisation

IN THIS ISSUEEditorial/President’s Message .................2NISO/National News..........3-5

FEATURES

Edel Niland, health and safety officer at DIT, writes on the safety of young persons in the workplace.........................6-7

All Ireland Safety Quiz Finals 2013 - Results ...........8-9

Athlone pharmaceuticalcompany has record turn-out at National Safety Quiz team selection event. .......................10

FORUM

Update from the Health and Safety Authority ......11-12

Technological Changes and the OSH Practitioner ...............................13

Helpline ..............................14-15

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

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

EDITORIAL

2 NISO UPDATE! SPRING 2013

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

Last year, with both the UK Government and Europe lookingat reducing the burden placed on business by health andsafety legislation and standards, I stated that one should beasking the question will current health and safetylegislation and standards be maintained?

NEWS

NISO UPDATE! SPRING 2013 3

Guide on Manual HandlingRisk Assessment in theManufacturing SectorThis guide gives direction andpractical information to thosethat work in themanufacturing sector onaction that can be taken tomanage the potential hazardof manual handling in theworkplace. The objectives ofthe guide are:• To raise awareness of the

business case for managingthe hazard of manualhandling;

• To explain why the hazardof manual handling needsto be managed in theworkplace;

• To help employersunderstand and recognisewhat the potential riskfactors are in relation tomanual handling in theirworkplace;

• To give direction on manualhandling risk assessment;

• To explain how to completea manual handling riskassessment process throughillustrated case studies;

• To give direction ondeveloping a safe system ofwork plan.

An Introduction to theManagement of ManualHandling in the ConstructionSectorConstruction is a sector wherethe nature of work conductedvaries greatly, however, it isalso a sector where workersengage in work tasks thatrequire a significant amountof manual handling. Thisguide has been put together asan introduction to themanagement of manualhandling in the constructionsector. The main objectives ofthe guide are:• To present the business case

for managing the hazard ofmanual handling inconstruction;

• To outline briefly thelegislation that relates to

manual handling; • To explain the potential

health effects of notmanaging the hazard ofmanual handling;

• To explain the five steps ofmanual handling riskassessment.

Guide to the Safety, Healthand Welfare at Work (GeneralApplication) (Amendment)Regulations 2012 (S.I. No.445 of 2012) PressureSystemsThe Safety, Health andWelfare at Work (GeneralApplication) (Amendment)Regulations 2012 (S.I. No.445 of 2012) amend theSafety, Health and Welfareat Work (GeneralApplication) Regulations2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007)by adding a Part 10 andassociated Schedule 12 todeal with pressure systems.

The failure of pressureequipment can result infatalities and seriousinjuries and cause majordamage to property. Thepurpose of the regulationsis to provide a robust regimefor the management ofpressure systems, includingclear requirements forperiodic statutoryexaminations of pressurevessels. The guide explainsthe new regulations andprovides information onhow to comply with theregulations.

REACH – AuthorisationInformation SheetAuthorisation is a processunder REACH designed tomanage the risks ofhazardous substances. It is alicensing system of sorts,whereby certain substancesmay not be placed on themarket for a use, or used, inthe EU unless the companyhas been authorised to do so.

The information sheet

includes:• Advice for suppliers;• Advice for downstream

users;• Information on how

substances are added to theauthorisation list;

• Latest application dates andsunset dates;

• Information to be includedin the authorisationapplication;

• The cost of each

application forauthorisation;

• How authorisation isgranted.

All listed publications fromthe Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) are availableto download fom the HSA website: www.hsa.ie.

HSA publications

HSA Strategy Statement 2013-2015The mission of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) overthe next three years is to protect people from death, injuryand ill-health arising from all work activities and chemicals.

The Authority’s five strategic priorities are:1. Enable enterprises to comply with their legal obligations

in a practical and reasonable manner.2. Achieve a high standard of compliance with safety, health

and welfare and chemical laws.3. Support the Minister in the development of a well-

functioning, robust and proportionate regulatoryframework.

4. Engage and work with people and organisationsnationally and internationally to achieve the vision of acountry where worker safety, health and welfare and thesafe management of chemicals are central to successfulenterprise.

5. Be a high performing organisation delivering value to theIrish taxpayer.

The Authority will deliver this strategy through thedevelopment and implementation of annual programmes ofwork. The programme for 2013 has been published and areasof focus include agriculture, construction, small business,chemicals, national inspection and investigation programme,performance assessment and engaging with other nationaland international bodies to maximise healthier and saferworkplaces.

In the foreword of the Programme of Work 2013, MartinO’Halloran, chief executive of the HSA, writes on thechallenges faced by the Authority. He says the Authority, likemost agencies, will face further reductions in its staffing andfinances during 2013. While the approximate number of staffreductions is known, the actual mix of staff that will leaveand not be replaced is uncertain. This programme of workfor 2013 has been drafted based on expected reductions inresources but some planned work may have to be reduced orceased, depending on resources available and the availabilityof staff with the necessary competencies.

The HSA Strategy Statement 2013-2015 and the Programmeof Work 2013 can be downloaded from the HSA website:www.hsa.ie.

NEWS


Farm safety awarenessfortnight campaign

The Injuries Board AnnualReview 2012 reported anincrease of 4.7% in personalinjury claims, this representsan increase of 24% since 2007.

The Injuries Board assessespersonal injury claims andmakes awards relating tomotor, employer and publicliability accidents, without theneed for litigation. Accordingto the Board, the increase inpersonal injury claims wasdriven by motor claims whichincreased by 6.7% in 2012 andby one third over the past fiveyears.

Commenting, Patricia Byron,CEO of the Injuries Boardsaid, “The steady but

consistent increase in claimsvolumes over the past five yearsis a real concern at a timewhen our roads have neverbeen safer and we have fewerpeople at work. The trendcoincides with a significantincrease in promotion andadvertising by claims handlingintermediaries.

“Last year, the Injuries Boardraised concerns that specialistclaims-farming firms werepromoting a claims culturethat could result in higherinsurance premiums forconsumers and business and adecline in competitiveness.”

The Annual Review revealsthat the Injuries Board last

year:• Received 28,962 new claims

(excludes 641 one-offDuPuy hip replacementclaims) in 2012, comparedto 27, 669 in 2011 and26,964 in 2010;

• Made 10,136 awards in2012, compared to 9,833 in2011 and 8,380 in 2010;

• Made awards with a totalvalue of €217.94m in 2012,compared to €209.8m in2011 and €186.6m in 2010;

• Made an average award of€21,502 in 2012, comparedto €21,339 in 2011 and€22,271 in 2010;

• The average time to processa claim in 2012 was 7.2months, the same time-

frame as 2011, incomparison to 6.9 monthsin 2010 and 6.5 months in2009.

Seventy-five percent of thetotal awards in 2012 were formotor liability claims, with theaverage award being €20,631.8% of the total awards in 2012were for employer’s liability,with the average award being€27, 286. Public liabilityclaims accounted for theremaining 17% of total awardsin 2012, with the averageaward being €22,656.

For further information on theAnnual Review 2012, pleaseview the Injuries Boardwebsite: www.injuriesboard.ie.

Injuries Board concerned by emerging claims culture

Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, T.D.,has launched the Government’s fourth Road Safety Strategy. TheStrategy – ‘Closing the Gap’ - will run until 2020 and aims tomake Ireland one of the safest countries in terms of road deathsin the EU. It will also focus on new measures to reduce thenumber and severity of serious injuries arising from roadcollisions. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) are responsible forthe overall implementation of the strategy.

The Government has adopted a highly ambitious vision for roadsafety in Ireland and for the remainder of the decade. Ireland hadapproximately 41 fatalities per million population in 2011. TheStrategy requires a reduction of road collision fatalities on Irishroads to 25 per million population or less by 2020. This meansreducing deaths from 186 in 2011 to 124 or fewer by 2020.

Key measures included in the strategy are:• Rehabilitative/driving awareness courses for repeat offenders

will be considered, along with the feasibility of alcolocks toimmobilise vehicles;

• Consideration will be given to extending the safety cameranetwork to offences other than speeding;

• Measures to combat car clocking will be considered;• Employers will be encouraged to implement a handbrake lock

for phone use by professional drivers;• In-vehicle devices that sense tiredness will be encouraged;• Regular audits of road markings, safety black-spots and

signage will be recommended;• Fixed charge notices for cyclists will be considered;• The Road Safety Authority (RSA) will have more frequent

access to PULSE data (An Garda Síochána’s database) inorder to spot trends;

• At least five new service areas on motorways will be built tocombat tiredness;

• Legislation will be tightened to prevent the reintroduction ofwritten-off vehicles;

• Breakdown kits for cars will be made compulsory;• Rectification notices will be applied to common minor faults.

For further information on the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, visit the RSA website: www.rsa.ie.

The Health and Safety Authority(HSA) and the Irish FarmersAssociation (IFA) joined forces tohighlight the dangers of workingon farms in ‘Farm SafetyFortnight’, which took placebetween 8-22 April. The campaignincluded an increased number offarm visits by the HSA with thefocus being on older farmers inthe 60+ age group.

Over the last 10 years there havebeen 182 people killed, and manymore seriously injured, as theresult of farm accidents. Morethan half of these accidentsinvolve farmers over the age of 60.

In an effort to reverse this trend,and focus attention on age as arisk factor, the HSA and the IFAhave jointly produced a DVDentitled Older, Wiser, Safer – APractical Guide to Safety forOlder Farmers.

“Older farmers can continue to besafe and productive on theirfarms, the key is to recognise age-related risks such as reducedstrength and flexibility, and tomodify expectations as well aswork practices so that operationsare completed safely,” said JohnBryan, IFA president.

The main causes of death and injuryon farms are tractors and machinery(47%), livestock (13%) and falls fromheight (12%). To date, this year, therehave been two deaths reported due towork activity on farms (as of 24April).

For further information on thisfarm safety campaign, visit theHSA website: www.hsa.ie. TheOlder, Wiser, Safer – A PracticalGuide to Safety for OlderFarmers DVD can also be viewedon YouTube via the following link:http://www.youtube.com/user/HSAOlderWiserSafer?feature=mhee


NEWS

Delivering the presidentialaddress at the National IrishSafety Organisation (NISO)annual general meeting(AGM), NISO presidentPauric Corrigan said thateven though the downturn inthe economy continues,NISO is continuing to recruitnew members.

Mr Corrigan said that theorganisation is now in a“stable financial position”.Figures were given showingthat the organisationrecorded a surplus of€70,365 for the year, anincrease of over 40% on the2011 surplus. NISO isrepresented on Health andSafety Authority (HSA)regional committees andREACH committees, on theConstruction SafetyPartnership, the ETCI, andthe European Agency forSafety and Health at Work’sIrish Focal Point.

NISO vice-president BillKelly read the honorarysecretary’s report on behalfof Harry Galvin who couldnot attend due to health

reasons. Mr Galvincommented in his report thatNISO has now cleared themortgage on their offices inCalmount Park, Dublin 12and he recalled the vision ofexecutive committeemembers at the end of the90s who went about securingthe premises.

Burden on businessAccording to Mr Galvin’sreport, NISO are finding theGovernment’s approach tosafety related mattersconfusing with different armsof government followingcontradictory policies. Onthe one hand they arecommitted to reducing thecosts on business but they arenow proposing increases inthe Circuit Courts andDistrict Courts awards, whichwill lead not only toincreased awards but alsoincreased legal and relatedprofessional costs.

Galvin’s report goes on to saythat while this is happeningwe are seeing a reduction inthe resources of the HSA andthis in turn restricts their role

in preventing accidents.NISO would like to see a co-ordinated approach fromGovernment to the wholearea of safety with the focuson prevention, which wouldlead to a major saving to theeconomy as well as ahealthier society.

Mr Corrigan also spoke ofthe burden imposed onbusinesses due to the re-structuring of the FETACLevel 4, Workplace Safetycomponent. Initially thisFETAC Level 4 componenthad a credit value of onecredit which represented anotional 10 hours of learnereffort. However, the revisedcomponent has a credit valueof 10 credits which representsa notional 100 hours oflearner effort.

According to Corrigan, “theworkplace safety componentprovided an introduction tohealth and safety in theworkplace and was aimed atreducing the burden onbusiness. This year thecomponent has beenextended to 100 notional

hours of learner effort thusgreatly increasing the burdenon businesses and the risk ofnew employees not receivingbasic health and safetytraining due to increasedcosts for tutors anddowntime for staff away ontraining.

Both Mr Corrigan and MrGalvin expressed their thanksto Martin O’Halloran andthe HSA for their supportduring the year. They alsothanked the Minister forJobs, Enterprise andInnovation, Richard Bruton,T.D., and his officials fortheir support. MinisterBruton has accepted aninvitation from NISO toattend the health and safetyawards ceremony on 4October, which will takeplace in the Radisson BluHotel, Galway.

L to R – Bill Kelly, NISO vice-president; Pauric Corrigan, NISO president; Des Brandon, NISO honorary treasurer

NISO AGM

Workers’MemorialDayThe ICTU will this yearcommemorate Workers’Memorial Day with aceremony in GlasnevinCemetery Dublin.Workers’ Memorial Dayis held every year toremember all those whohave suffered or diedbecause of their work butat the same time ensuringthat such tragedies arenot repeated. Thecommemoration will beheld at GlasnevinCemetery at 11:30am onSunday 28 April.

FEATURE


As health and safety officerfor Dublin Institute ofTechnology (DIT), I haveresponsibility for a studentpopulation of 20,000 spreadacross 39 locations. I meetyoung people on a daily basisand therefore have first-handexperience of safety andyoung people. Young peopleare especially vulnerable inthe workplace for manyreasons: their age,inexperience, immaturity, etc.The top three causes ofaccidents faced by youngpeople are moving machinery,slips, trips and falls andmanual handling.

There is a popularmisconception that youngworkers incur more injuriesbecause of their risk-takingbehaviour and inflated senseof invincibility. However,recent research regardingcausation would pointstrongly to workplace factors.Research suggests that youngworkers are more at risk asthey often work in morehazardous environments andengage in more physicallydemanding tasks than their

older counterparts. Some maynot have received the trainingor orientation necessary towork safely.

Employment of youngpersons is often concentratedin the service and low skilledsectors, whereby they jugglework/school/life balance. Jobsmay be seasonal or withirregular work patterns suchas evening, shift or weekendwork. It would be quite thenorm to see a young personwork in late night bars andstill be up for an earlymorning lecture. Theseirregular hours challenge thebody’s natural rhythms andtherefore can causechallenged judgment ordelayed reaction time.

LegislationLegislation concerned withthe health and safety ofyoung persons in theworkplace include the Safety,Health and Welfare at Work(General Application)Regulations 2007 and theProtection of Young Persons(Employment) Act 1996.Legislation does not prohibitthe employment of youngpersons, as defined in theabove act and regulations. Itmerely provides a frameworkfor their protection, however,the solutions lie in our hands.How can we implement therequirements of legislation atworkplace level in verychallenging times?

We need a multifacetedapproach, whereby youngpeople are well-educated,well-informed, in safe jobssupported with goodinitiatives that they areinterested in. Above all weneed perseverance.

Risk education Risk education is the key tofostering a culture of healthand safety and raisingawareness. We want to equipour young people with thebasic knowledge and skillsthat they will carry forwardinto their working lives. To dothis, we must mainstream riskeducation into the schoolcurriculum. This starts at abasic level in preschool andprimary level where childrenrhyme off the safe cross code.It is further developed insecondary level with theschools’ workplace safetyprogramme for transition yearstudents, where they areintroduced to good workpractices.

Unfortunately it is myexperience, and researchwould suggest, that theembedding of risk is leastwell-developed at third leveleducation. Our futureengineers, scientists,architects, medicalprofessionals and businessmanagers all need goodhealth and safety knowledge.With good risk education, wecan help develop a set of safebehaviours that youngpersons will transfer intotheir future working lives.

In the workplace, we all knowour obligation to provide asafe place, plant, systems ofwork, etc. If we employyoung people, we must inaddition ensure that a riskassessment is completed priorto their employment. Therisks identified and thecontrol measures allocatedmust be communicated to theyoung person and theirparent/guardian. The riskassessment should take

account of the young person’sattributes and limitations.They must receive suitabletraining, orientation andthere must be a good level ofsupervision.

How do we keep youngpeople interested?We need to connect andcommunicate with our youngpeople and involve them inaccident preventionprogrammes. We need to usetheir language and connectwith them with interfacesthat they are comfortablewith and use on a daily basis.In DIT we use the safetyfacebook page to share oursafety videos.

The UK ‘Speak Up, Stay Safe’campaign has tapped intofacebook and twitter as aforum to connect to youngpeople. They organise chatson twitter whereby youngpeople can come together todiscuss common topics andshare ideas.

Safety is perceived as boring,so we have to enter andembrace young people’s socialnetworks to get our messageacross. Perseverance isrequired as it does not happenovernight - there will alwaysbe problems and challenges.

At DIT we pride ourselves onthe work experiencecomponent offered on ourprogrammes. We launched aninitiative called ‘Safety SmartRight From The Start’. Theaim of this was to ensure thesafety of students whilst onour premises and also toensure their safety whileparticipating in workexperience programmes. Indoing this, we hoped to

Edel Niland, health and safety officer at DIT,writes on the safety of young persons in theworkplace

Edel Niland, health and safety officer,DIT

ensure that the DIT graduatewould be widely renowned asa safety conscious graduateand therefore moreemployable and attractive tofuture employers in today’schallenging economicclimate.

Challenges and solutionsThe main challenges faced toensure the safety of students,while on the premises at DITand on work experience,include:• It is difficult to ensure risk

assessments arecompleted. Riskassessments can beperceived as an extra layerof work on an alreadyloaded schedule withlimited resources and anever shrinking semester.

• We are reluctant to causeinconvenience to hostorganisations as we rely ontheir goodwill to takestudents. We do not wantthem to be discouraged byextra documentationrequirements and fear theimplications of takingstudents as we raise issuessuch as training, risk

assessment, insurance,student supervision ratios,health surveillance, etc.

Further gaps identifiedincluded training. There wasno dedicated resource forstudent training and hencetraining was not facilitated inDIT and in some cases, it wasnot facilitated in the hostorganisations.

Solutions implemented byDIT to counteract thesechallenges included:• Legal briefings were

organised to bring staff upto date with ourrequirements. Wesimplified the riskassessment template anddeveloped a paperless one.

• Development of an e-learning package forstudents going on workplacement. The main aimis to provide the studentwith an awareness level oftraining prior to workexperience. The benefit ofe-learning is that it is aflexible method of delivery,with minimumadministration required,

and we hope is moreengaging for students.

• Working with the StudentsUnion and with their fullco-operation, we decidedthat no one could receivefunding unless the riskassessments werecompleted. This is a majorissue and continues to beso. It means that no onecan get funding for a ragweek activity, a field worktrip like water monitoringin the river Dargle, or asports activity like cavingin Cavan, unless therequired risk assessment iscompleted.

• Working with the StudentsUnion to develop newposters that do not seemas stiff next to theflamboyant posters withloads of freebiesadvertised. We alsodeveloped a charactercalled ‘Safe Sam’ and haveused him at induction sowe don’t appear as stiffand rigid next to theexciting, energetic Unionreps with bags full of fun.

• Working with all schools

in DIT to ensure thatprojects now focus on riskassessments and that allrequired risk assessmentsare completed and thestudents get the practicaltraining, e.g. performing achemical agent/biologicalagent risk assessment oran environmental healthreport in one of ourkitchens.

None of these solutions arecomplete and that is whereperseverance with health andsafety is required.

ConclusionArising from our experiences,the following is a simplechecklist to consider in yourown place of employment:• Do you employ young

people? • Have you performed pre-

employment riskassessments?

• Have you issued adequateinformation anddocumentation?

• Do you give sufficienttraining and orientation?

• Do you have adequatesupervision?

• Have you good reviewsystems?

Society tends to overlookyoung people as real workersdue to the casual nature oftheir jobs, but it does notmatter whether they work 2hours or 40 hours a week,they are real people with thesame rights andresponsibilities as all otheremployees. Employers needto do more to protect youngpeople and young peopleneed to know how to protectthemselves.

We all have a role to play toensure that young people, oursisters, brothers, sons anddaughters do not becomestatistics.


FEATURE


QUIZ 2013

At the All Ireland SafetyQuiz Final, held inLimerick on 13 April 2013,SSE Generation IrelandLtd. (Great Island) andAbbott IrelandDiagnostics Division,Sligo, were the overallwinners in the PreviousEntrants and NoviceCategories respectively.

The All-IrelandOccupational Safety QuizFinals are run jointly bythe National Irish Safety

Organisation (NISO) andthe Northern IrelandSafety Group (NISG) anda total of 16 teamscompeted from all parts ofthe island of Ireland.

The event was a greatsuccess with a number ofteams in the running fortop spot right to the lastround of questions.

Kieran O'Donnell, T.D.,presented the prizes at aspecial prize-giving dinner

that evening and praisedthe effort and knowledgeof the participating teamsand the role of NISO andNISG in promoting safetyon the island.

NISO president PauricCorrigan pointed to thefantastic commitmentdemonstrated by the teamsparticipating in the event,as it marked for him thestrong health and safetyculture present in thesponsoring companies. He

particularly thanked theparticipating companies’managers for their supportand encouragement totheir teams.

Priscilla Woods,chairperson of the NISGthanked both the NISOand NISG for theircooperation in making theevent a success.

All Ireland Safety Quiz Finals 2013 - Results

Wexford and Sligo teams scoop the honours in the 40th Anniversary All IrelandSafety Quiz Final.

1

3


QUIZ 2013

1 Quiz teams deliberate over aquestion at All Ireland QuizFinals 2013

2 SSE Generation Ireland Ltd.,All Ireland Previous EntrantsCategory Winner

3 Abbott Ireland DiagnosticsDivision, All Ireland NoviceCategory Winner

4 Abbott Ireland NutritionalDivision, All Ireland PreviousEntrants Category Runners-Up

5 Clarochem Ireland Limited,All Ireland Novice CategoryRunners-Up

5

4

Previous Entrants Category Winners1st Place: SSE Generation Ireland Ltd. (representing the south east region)2nd Place: Abbott Ireland Nutritional Division (representing the north east region)3rd Place: Pfizer Newbridge (representing the east region)

Novice Category Winners1st Place: Abbott Ireland Diagnostics Division (representing the north west region)2nd Place: Clarochem Ireland Limited (representing the east region)3rd Place: University of Limerick (representing the mid west region)

OTHER PARTICIPATING TEAMS WERE:Previous Entrants Category TeamsAbbott Ireland Diagnostics Division (representing the north west region)Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (representing the midland region)Bord Na Mona Littleton (representing the mid west region)Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd. (representing the west region)Nacco Materials Handling Ltd. (representing Northern Ireland)PepsiCo Ireland (representing the south region)

Novice Category TeamsAbbott Ireland Nutritional Division (representing the north east region)Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (representing the midland region)GE Energy (Ireland) Limited (representing the west)JMD Training (representing Northern Ireland)

2

QUIZ 2013


Athlone pharmaceutical company has recordturn-out at National Safety Quiz teamselection event

Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited Previous Entrants Quiz Team. Also in the picture are John Flanagan, NISO midland chairperson; Priscilla Woods, NISG chairperson; PauricCorrigan, NISO president; Kieran O'Donnell, T.D.

Alkermes Athlone Site Quiz Committee members, L to R: Ian Kelleher; David Whyte; Teresa Fox; John Flanagan (NISO midlandchairperson); Sarah Clarke; Daryl Miley. Missing from the photo is Paddy Conlon.

For the past threeyears, employees atthe Alkermes Athlone,Ireland site haveparticipated in theSafety Quiz campaignrun by NISO atregional and AllIreland level,producing teams thathave reached the AllIreland Safety QuizFinals on twooccasions.

On Thursday 7 March, asite safety quiz was held onthe Alkermes Athlone site,from which top teams wereselected to representAlkermes in the 2013National Safety Quizcampaign. Anunprecedented 21 teams,each consisting of fourstaff, participated. Theevent was fully supported bysite senior management and

the high level of attendanceshowed significant interestin and commitment tosafety across the site.

According to Colette Ryan,director of supply chain andoperational excellence,“Employee participation inthe NISO quiz year-on-yearhas increased the health andsafety culture here atAlkermes where employees

are collectively committedto protecting our people,our products and ourenvironment.”

At the regional quiz inTullamore on 14 March,Alkermes recordedsignificant success in bothnovice and previous entrantscategories with two teamsgoing forward to the AllIreland Safety Quiz Finals in

Limerick.

Alkermes plc is anintegrated globalbiopharmaceuticalcompany which applies itsscientific expertise andtechnological know-how todevelop innovativemedicines designed to helppatients with serious,chronic conditions bettermanage their disease.


FORUM - HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY

Every year loading andunloading accidents injurehundreds of people andcost businesses millions indamaged goods, damagedvehicles, road closures,journey delays, injuries andlost work time.

Accidents associated withvehicle use at work stillaccounts annually foralmost half of all deathsreported to the Health andSafety Authority (HSA).Between 2006 and 2011there were 509 reportedincidents to the HSA thatinvolved loading andunloading operations,including people struck byfalling objects, falls from

height or slips and trips.There were 12 load relateddeaths reported in thistime. A further 497incidents resulted inreportable absence fromwork due to injury.

By law, employers musthave documented safesystems of work in placefor loading, unloading, loadsecuring and preventingloads falling off vehicles, inworkplaces and on theroad.

Employers must havewritten procedures in place,based on a risk assessment,for: • Loading vehicles;

• Restraining loads onvehicles;

• Dealing with any loadsthat have shifted and arein an unsafe condition;

• Unloading vehicles.

Take these simple steps tokeep your loads, vehicles,employees and contractorssafe and protect yourbusiness.

Plan loading and unloadingoperationsTime spent planning anddocumenting your loadingand unloading practicesmay prevent the problems apoorly planned and unsafeload can cause. You should:• Provide a safe waiting

area for drivers notinvolved in loading andunloading operations;

• Provide clear rules andinstructions to employeeson where to load andunload vehicles;

• Provide clear rules andinstructions to employeesand how to load andunload vehicles;

Update from the Health and Safety Authority

Deirdre Sinnott, head of the transport safety unit with the Healthand Safety Authority, writes about load security.

Deirdre Sinnott, head of the transportsafety unit with the Health and SafetyAuthority.


• Provide correctequipment to load andunload vehicles safely;

• Provide a loading planfor each journey –consider multi-droploads;

• Communicate relevantinformation about eachdelivery site to drivers,including reportingarrangements, site rules,equipment and facilities.

Implement safe loadingproceduresRestraining loads securelyand safely is crucial inpreventing accidents intransit and duringunloading:• Load to the headboard -

if the load cannot beloaded to the headboard,use blockage or dunnageto fill the gap;

• Loads should not move inany direction in transitof the trailer;

• Never use curtains tosecure a load - loads thatshift in transit may fallout when the curtain isopened;

• Lashings should not besecured to rope hooks;

• Webbing straps should beregularly checked fordamage and wear andtear;

• Chains must be certifiedand in good condition.

Plan safe routes andJourneysIn the course of anyjourney there is potentialfor loads to shift andbecome unstable which mayaffect the safe driving andstability of the vehicle, e.g.increase risk of vehicleoverturning at bends,junctions or roundabouts. • If a load does shift, it is

vital that the driver feels

under no pressure tocontinue the journey;

• Provide clear instructionsto the driver on who tocontact foradvice/assistance in theevent of a load shift.

Carry out safe unloadingCorrectly restraining loadsbefore the start of anyjourney is the best way tominimise the risks of fallsand crush injuries duringunloading. Employersshould also:

• Avoid need for workingat height to prevent falls,wherever possible;

• Provide a plan to safelyunload the vehicle whenload has shifted.

Other things to thinkabout Prevent falls from thevehicle cab or load bed:• Before drivers set off,

check that steps orhandholds are in goodcondition;

• On refrigerated vehicles,check the floor for ice orwater and drivers shouldfollow any instructionsto reduce the amount ofwater;

• Drivers should wear well-fitting, slip-resistantsafety footwear whenworking on vehicles;

• Keep the soles of safetyfootwear clean;

• All spills and dirt, such asdiesel or mud on thecatwalk or load area,should be cleaned upimmediately;

• Keep the load area tidy –pick up loose ropes andpackaging.

Prevent hitting a pedestrian:• Restrict the loading area

to workers involved inloading or unloading;

• Make sure signs, roadmarkings, speed limitsand one-way systems arebeing followed;

• Remind drivers that theybecome pedestrianswhen they step out of thevehicle;

• Don’t let anyone guide avehicle unless they are atrained banksman orsignaller.

Prevent injury caused bypoor manual handling:• Provide safe procedures

for all goods and loadsthat are moved, loaded

or unloaded;• Provide instruction and

training on how to safelylift and move loads;

• Provide documentedrules to employees onhow to safely lift andmove loads;

• Make sure thatemployees use the correctequipment to load andunload vehicles safely;

• Wear appropriatepersonal protectiveequipment.

For more practical adviceand free resources on safeload securing, visitwww.vehiclesatwork.ie orphone the HSA on 1890289 389

Sponsorship and advertising

opportunities areavailable

For further information,please contact Ted O’Keeffe

[email protected] phone 01 465 9760

FORUM - HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY

FORUM - INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH


The constant across all ofthe legislative changesthroughout the years hasbeen the trustedoccupational safety andhealth practitioner, workingin the background to ensureevery employee returnshome at the end of eachworking day. With over1,700 Institution ofOccupational Safety andHealth (IOSH)practitioners in Ireland, allpractitioners should becommended and respectedfor the work they do eachand every day.

Practitioners assist with theimplementation oflegislation, codes ofpractice and standards on aregular basis regardless ofhow much the workingenvironment has changed.Remember that around 20years ago, there were nosuch things as desktopcomputers in theworkplace, but now wehave a plethora ofelectronic devices. Devicessuch as smart phones arenow commonplace,allowing work to becompleted on a smallscreen, while tablets areslowly replacing laptops.These changes are allleading to new emergingsafety risks.

Techno-stressMany will remember whenrepetitive strain injuries

(RSI) were put on the map,later renamed work-relatedupper limb disorder(WRULD) and nowcommonly known asmusculoskeletal disorders(MSDs). Now, we have anemergence of techno-stressrelated to our modernworking lives, which nolonger just end at 5pm formany workers. In all ofthese changes, the safetyand health practitioner isrequired to remain up-to-date, possessing knowledgeof how technologicaladvances may affect theworkers and what practicalrisk management should beput in place.

It can be a lonely businessfor the health and safetyprofessional. The majorityof companies have only onepractitioner andgeographical location alonecan make it difficult toshare experiences anddiscuss ideas with otherprofessionals. This is wherethe work of the network ofIOSH committees comesinto its own. It offers anetwork of like-mindedpeople to share advice andhelp make the voice of thehealth and safetycommunity in Irelandheard.

IOSH’s vision – ‘A world ofwork that is safe, healthyand sustainable’ - is echoedthroughout Ireland at the

numerous IOSH committeeevents and practitioners areencouraged to check theIreland Branch events pageat www.iosh.co.uk on aregular basis, for events intheir area and industry. Anylooking to get involved intheir local IOSH committeecan put their name forward– IOSH is always lookingfor practitioners to getinvolved with its work inIreland. Alternatively, thereis the option to present atopic or paper at one of ourconferences.

Electronic developmentsThroughout the electronicdevelopments over theyears, the IOSH Irelandbranch committee willcontinue to communicatethrough the trusted IOSHConnect weekly e-zine, andof course through themonthly SHP magazine –both through the hard copyand electronic version. Therecent developments ininitial professionaldevelopment (IPD) havealso helped members goingthrough this process toupload directly onto thewebsite and to have criteriaassessed as they go throughthe process. The Institutionhas recently updated howcontinuing professionaldevelopment (CPD) iscompleted. All of thesedevelopments help ourmembers in their personaldevelopment.

IOSH is also aware thattightened budgets meanthat a lot of practitionersare finding it harder to getout of the workplace toattend events. As a result,we will be investigatingways to communicate withmembers directly into theirworkplaces with ourseminars.

The last twelve monthshave been a busy time forIOSH in Ireland,celebrating our 30thanniversary year during2012 and culminating inour InternationalSymposium in November.But there are many moreyears ahead. Over thecoming months, IOSH willcontinue to share news andresources and connectmembers in Ireland withnetworking events. As thenation slowly moves out ofrecession, there is a lot tolook forward to, especiallyin our IOSH community,which continues to growfrom strength to strength.

Technological Changes and the OSHPractitionerSince its inception health and safety legislation has continued tochange over the years. All these changes have been welcomed byoccupational safety and health (OSH) practitioners throughoutEurope.

Michelle Peate-Morgan, chair, IOSHIreland


HELPLINE

Help on space requirements, disability anddriving for workBrian O’Connor answers members’ queries.

QUESTION 1I am the health and safetyofficer in a manufacturingplant and I am worried thatthere might be overcrowdingin the workplace. Is there alegal obligation onemployers to provide acertain amount of space peroperator in a typicalproduction cell? If yes, whatare the space requirements?

ANSWER 1As per regulation 17 of theSafety, Health and Welfare atWork (General Application)Regulations 2007, ‘anemployer shall ensure that:(a) workrooms have sufficient

surface area, height andair space to allowemployees to performtheir work without risk totheir safety, health orwelfare, and,

(b) the dimensions of the freeunoccupied area at aworkstation are calculatedto allow employeessufficient freedom ofmovement to performtheir work and, where thisis not possible for reasonsspecific to theworkstation, the employeeis provided with sufficientfreedom of movementnear his or herworkstation.’

The Guide to the Safety,Health and Welfare at Work(General Application)Regulations 2007, Chapter 1of Part 2: Workplace,provides guidance tofactories, offices and othersimilar workplaces whencalculating the allocation ofspace. As per the guide, whencalculating the allocation of

space a reasonable approachshould be taken as regardsdiscounting any large spacestaken up by unusual fittings,furniture, machinery, etc.

‘In a room containing acounter, the space up to andunder the counter should beincluded when calculating thespace available for eachperson behind the counter. Inoffices, 4.65 square metresshould be the minimumamount of floor spaceallowed for every personemployed in any room,including the area occupiedby the office desk and chairbut excluding filing cabinetsand other office furniture.

At least 11.3 cubic metresshould be provided for eachperson at work in a roomother than an office at anyone time. When calculatingthe volume, no space morethan 4.3 metres from the floorshould be taken into account.’

For further information onspace requirements or otheraspects of the physicalenvironment at the place ofwork, please view the Guideto the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work (GeneralApplication) Regulations2007, Chapter 1 of Part 2:Workplace. This guide isavailable to download fromthe Health and SafetyAuthority website:www.hsa.ie.

QUESTION 2 I am the employer of a smallfactory and I have recentlylearned that one of ouremployees has a visualimpairment. Are there any

health and safetyconsiderations I need to takeinto account to ensure thesafety, health and welfare ofthis person?

ANSWER 2In accordance with the Safety,Health and Welfare at WorkAct 2005, as employer youmust ‘ensure, as far as isreasonably practicable, thesafety, health and welfare atwork of all employees’.

Regulation 25 of the Safety,Health and Welfare at Work(General Application)Regulations 2007, states that‘an employer shall ensure thatplaces of work, wherenecessary, are organised totake account of persons atwork with disabilities, inparticular as regards doors,passageways, staircases,showers, washbasins,lavatories and workstationsused or occupied directly bythose persons.’

The Employment Equality Acts1998 and 2004 also requiresemployers to take appropriatemeasures (unless the costs ofdoing so are disproportionate)to enable people withdisabilities to have access toemployment, to participate oradvance in employment and toundergo training.

The employer must carry outa risk assessment and takeinto account the differences ofindividual workers. It isimportant neither to assumethat all workers are the samenor to make assumptionsabout health and safety risksassociated with a particulardisability.

When carrying out the riskassessment, the employershould: • Identify groups of workers

who might be at greaterrisk and make a specificassessment of the risks tothem, taking account ofboth the nature and extentof the disability and theworking environment;

• Take account of people’sabilities when planningwork – disabled workersoften have special skills,which should not be lostbecause of poorly adaptedworking conditions;

• Consult the individualsconcerned during the riskassessment process; and

• Seek advice as necessary -this may be provided byoccupational safety andhealth (OSH) services andauthorities, healthprofessionals, safetyprofessionals andergonomists, disabilityemployment services ordisability organisations.

This risk assessment will helpto decide on any health andsafety controls required toensure a safe place of workfor this employee. Examples

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

HELPLINE


of such controls for anemployee with a visualimpairment may includehighly visible signs in largeformat for entrances andexits, extra lighting in badlylit areas and contrastingcoloured nosings on the topand bottom steps on a set ofstairs.

For further information onthis topic please view thedocument titled Employeeswith Disabilities availablefrom the Health and SafetyAuthority website:www.hsa.ie.

QUESTION 3 I am supervisor for a teamof sales representatives androughly 60% of ouroccupation involves driving.Our employer has providedmobile phone holders ineach car but are there anyadditional controls weshould consider to ensurethe health and safety ofemployees when driving forwork?

ANSWER 3Employers have a duty toprovide a safe place of workfor employees. Under theSafety, Health and Welfare atWork Act 2005, a vehicle is

defined as a place of work.Employers must ensure that:• work related journeys are

safe;• members of staff are able

to drive safely; and• all vehicles and vehicle

equipment are fit for useand in a safe condition.

Employers also have a dutyof care to others who may beaffected by their employees’work activities, which in thecase of driving for workincludes all other road usersand pedestrians.

In order to manage work-related road safety effectivelyit should be integrated intoyour arrangements formanaging health and safetyat work. The main areas thatneed to be addressed arepolicy, responsibility,organisation, systems andmonitoring. Questions thatneed to be consideredinclude:• Does your health and

safety policy statementcover work-related roadsafety?

• Is there top-levelcommitment to work-related road safety in yourorganisation and isresponsibility clearly

defined? • Are you confident that

your vehicles are regularlyinspected and serviced inaccordance withmanufacturers’recommendations?

• Do you monitorperformance to ensurethat your work-relatedroad safety policy iseffective?

As per the Safety, Healthand Welfare at Work Act2005, the employer mustidentify hazards in theworkplace and carry out arisk assessment. Areas ofconsideration when carryingout the risk assessmentinclude:• The driver - Are you

satisfied that: - your drivers are

competent and capableof doing their work in away that is safe for themand other people?

- your drivers are properlytrained?

- your drivers aresufficiently fit andhealthy to drive safelyand not put themselvesor others at risk?

• The vehicle - Are yousatisfied that: - vehicles are fit for the

purpose for which theyare used?

- vehicles are maintainedin a safe and fitcondition?

- safety equipment isproperly fitted andmaintained?

- drivers have access toinformation that willhelp them reduce risks?

- drivers’ health, andpossibly safety, is notbeing put at risk, e.g.from inappropriateseating position ordriving posture?

• The journey - Do you planroutes thoroughly? Arework schedules realistic?Are you satisfied thatsufficient time is allowedto complete journeyssafely? Are you satisfiedthat drivers will not be putat risk from fatiguecaused by drivingexcessive distanceswithout appropriatebreaks? Are you satisfiedthat sufficientconsideration is given toadverse weatherconditions, such as snowor high winds, whenplanning journeys?

For further safetyinformation on driving forwork, please view thedocuments titled SafeDriving for Work EmployerGuide and Safe Driving forWork – Drivers Handbook,both available to downloadfrom the Health and SafetyAuthority website:www.hsa.ie. The Health andSafety Executive (UK) alsohave a document titledDriving at Work –Managing Work RelatedRoad Safety, available todownload at:www.hse.gov.uk.

Brian O’Connor BSc OSH,MSc EHS


EVENTS

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

1. Courses scheduled atNISO Training Centre,Ballymount, Dublin 12

Safe Pass Course (Course Length: 1 day)10 May / 24 May / 14 June

VDU/DSE Assessors Course(Course Length: 1 day) 20 May

Manual Handling Instructor andAssessor Course, 6N0233,FETAC Level 6(Course Length: 3 days)10, 11, 12 & 17, 18 June

Basic Manual Handling Course(Course Length: Half day)12 June

Health and SafetyRepresentation Course, L22487,FETAC Level 5(Course Length: 3 days)17, 18, 19 June

2. Courses and events inthe regions

MIDLAND REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and HealthVenue: Athlone Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks,Mondays for 2 hours)Commencing date to beconfirmedContact: [email protected]

MIDWEST REGIONCourse: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and HealthVenue: Limerick Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks,Tuesdays for 2 hours)Commencing date to beconfirmedContact: [email protected] orwww.lit.ie/LifelongLearning/Courses/

3. National Events

NISO Annual Conference andTrade ExhibitionVenue: Radisson Blu, Galway4 October 2013

NISO and NISG Health andSafety Awards CeremonyVenue: Radisson Blu, Galway4 October 2013

4. All Ireland SafetyAwards

All Ireland Safety AwardsEntries Deadline3 MayFor further information, pleasevisit: www.safetyawards.ie

National Irish Safety Organisation Events DiaryPlease keep an eye on our website: www.niso.ie for forthcoming courses in 2013.

Occupational Safety

2013 AnnualOccupational Safety Awards

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National Irish Safety Organisation,A11 Calmount Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 465 9760 | Fax: 01 465 9765Email: [email protected]

www.niso.ie

Northern Ireland Safety Group,13 De Courcy Avenue, Carrickfergus, BT38 7LJ.Telephone: 028 9336 8928 | Fax: 028 9336 8928

Email: [email protected]

TO FIND OUT MORE www.safetyawards.ie

! Supreme Safety Award (sponsored byPhillips 66 Ireland Ltd.)

! Gold Awards! Silver Awards! Bronze Awards! Platinum Awards! President’s Category Awards! Consistent High Achiever Awards! Business Category Awards• Agricultural Produce• Chemical / Pharmaceutical (Speciality

Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals [Fill Finish],Pharmaceuticals [Active PharmaceuticalIngredients (API), Consumer Products)

• Construction Awards (Building Services,Civil Engineering, Consulting Engineers,House Building, Industrial/Commercial,Insulation and Energy Conservation,Mineral Extraction/Quarrying/ConcreteProducts, Road Surfacing, SpecialistContractor, Utility Services)

• Consultants (Safety, Management, etc.)• Education and Training• Electronic / Electrical Manufacturing /

Assembly• Facilities Management and Services• Financial / Insurance• Food / Drink • Information Technology and Computer

Service Activities• Local Authorities / Councils• Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing

/ Assembly• Medical Devices• Medical Services• Public Service

(Government Services, Public Bodies, Semi-State, Emergency Services, Prisons, etc.)

• Retailing/Wholesaling• Sport / Leisure• Transport / Distribution/Storage• Utilities / Telecoms Providers

(Power Generation / Distribution, Telecoms, Water, Gas, etc.)

• Voluntary, Social and Community• Waste Management• Other Manufacturing• Other Services

! Northern Ireland Award ! Regional Awards (East, Midland, Mid West,

North East, North West, South, SouthEast, West)

! New Entry Awards (Large size, Mediumsize and small size awards)

! Distinction Awards! Highly Commended Award! Commended Awards! Merit Awards

Award Categories

National Irish Safety Organisation Northern Ireland Safety Group

Sponsors Media Partner

www.safetyawards.ie

1 Accident Statistics2 Health and Safety Management3 Hazard Identification and Risk

Management / Assessments4 Health & Safety Training5 Implementation and Operation of Health

& Safety Policies & Procedures

6 Emergency Preparedness & Response7 Health & Safety Communication,

Consultation and Promotion8 Re-active Health & Safety Management9 Pro-active Health & Safety Management

10 Demonstration of Superior Performance in Health & Safety

How to enter - www.safetyawards.ieOur dedicated website guides you through the necessary steps of how to enter the Awardsand where you can find an entry form. There are ten broad headings which must be coveredand these include:

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safety of young persons€¦ · safety of young persons ... quiz finals 2013 - results help on...

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