Plant and Equipment Safety

Plant and equipment safety is an important factor to consider in ensuring overall workplace safety. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide and maintain suitable safe equipment. In addition, an employer is also responsible for providing training and information on risks and precautions. However, it is the employee’s responsibility to select the correct machine for the work to be undertaken. Employees must ensure to use only the equipment they are trained in its use.

 

Plant and Equipment Safety – Main Dangers

When we talk about plant and equipment safety, we must consider and address main dangers associated with its use:

• Traps (Entrapment) – Moving equipment that can trap body parts, such as presses and hydraulic jacks.
• Contact – Abrasions, bruising or friction burns can occur when people accidentally come into contact with moving parts.
• Impact – Moving parts may hit operators or the public if unguarded or badly sited.
• Ejection Some unguarded equipment, e.g., drills and saws, may throw off bits of metal or wood.
• Entanglement – Moving machinery such as rollers, cogs and conveyors that can entangle hair, jewellery and clothes, even pulling whole bodies into machinery.

 

Guards and Safety Features

Guarding is often used as a method of controlling the risks associated with moving parts and machinery. For example, some guards act as a permanent barrier to prevent people from gaining access to a dangerous area. Other moveable types will prevent the machine from operating unless the guard is in place. Furthermore, it is important that guards and other safety features, such as emergency stop buttons and alarms, are working correctly. If they are not, the machinery must not be used.

 

Plant and Equipment Safety – Hand Tools

There are some basic rules to consider to ensure safe use of tools:

• Select the right tool for the right job.
• Make sure the tool is maintained and in good condition.
• Report broken or worn tools to a supervisor.
• Only use tools you have been trained to use.
• Use the tools correctly.
• Store correctly after use.

 

Plant and Equipment Safety – Machinery

Similarly, there are some basic rules to consider to ensure safe use of machinery:

• Guards – Never attempt to remove or defeat machinery guards. Many guards operate on a ‘failure to safety’ system. For example, if the guard is not in place the machine will not work.
• Power – Always turn off machines and power when not in use. Turn off and unplug for cleaning and maintenance.
• Lighting – Use effective lighting to enable the machine to be used safely.
• Housekeeping – Keep the workplace clean. Untidy areas around machinery can cause falls and provide fuel for fires.
• Repairs – Report any faults or suspected faults immediately, including missing guards or safety equipment.
• Clothing – Do not wear loose clothing around machinery. No ties, belts, straps or jewellery. Wear suitable personal protective clothing or equipment. Keep longhair tied up or covered if using machinery.
• Training – Do not use equipment unless trained to do so.
• Responsibility – Wear any protective equipment deemed necessary by risk assessment. Never distract colleagues who are using machinery or other equipment.

 

Ensuring Equipment Safety

When selecting equipment it is important to choose the safest possible option for any work activity. Whether selecting or purchasing you must:

• Ask technical questions and compare the information provided by suppliers.
• Check that the equipment has a CE mark.
• Satisfy yourself that you have obtained all the relevant safety information.
• Make sure sufficient, relevant training is given.
• Undertake a risk assessment before any equipment is installed or used.

Equipment must be well maintained to make sure it is in safe working order. Likewise, the maintenance should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions by a competent person. The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland provides a wealth of information on Plant and Machinery via their Construction Section of the website.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Cyberbullying Awareness

Raising Cyberbullying Awareness is an important factor in preventing cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies.

 

What is Cyberbullying

The HSE defines cyberbullying as ‘[…] a form of bullying. It happens on social media, online forums, text and email.’

Cyberbullying usually involves offensive emails or text messages. These usually contain jokes or inappropriate wording towards a specific individual race, gender, nationality, or sexual preference. The words have a direct effect on the bullying target. Another example is an intended personal email response forwarded without permission for the whole office to see. However, most common examples of cyberbullying nowadays are:

• Abusive messages or slagging on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram.
• Offensive comments on videos or posts.
• Spreading rumours online.
• Hacking into your online accounts.
• Posting offensive or intimate images.

 

Raising Cyberbullying Awareness

By raising cyberbullying awareness we can learn to avoid cyberbullying.

For example, some precautionary steps are straightforward, such as never giving out your passwords to anyone, or picking your social friends carefully. Other steps get easily ignored or overlooked since unintentionally we can also be a source of cyberbullying. Always be polite to other people. Think about your words, what you are saying and whether it might be hurtful or embarrassing to other people and their loved ones. For example, think about some of the accidents recorded by someone on their phone and then shared online. It might be a ‘light accident’ such as someone tripping and falling, which might raise a few ‘innocent’ laughs. It might not be so amusing to the person who fell. In addition, think about some recent road fatalities which were recorded and shared online. In most cases, this is how the victim’s family found out about these accidents.

The internet does not forget, and it is often that these harmful comments, if made, will be available online for a long time, if not forever. Even if they are deleted, online posts can be screenshot and kept in circulation for a very long time.

Lastly, it is good practice, in personal and professional communication to not send any messages when you are chafed. With this in mind, wait until you have calmed down and had time to think.

With this in mind, eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Cyber Bullying Awareness course. This cyberbullying awareness course, developed in partnership with CyberSafeIreland, is suitable for any parent or adult who would like to know more about this area, and particularly does wondering what is the right thing to do if someone they know is either experiencing cyberbullying, or is the one cyberbullying.

 

What to do if You are Cyberbullied

Without a doubt, it is beneficial to raise cyberbullying awareness. However, we still might become a victim (or unintentional source) of cyberbullying. There are a number of things that you can do to deal with cyberbullying. Such as with any bullying, do not rise to take the bait. The bully will want to know that they’ve got you worried and upset. If you never reply, they will probably get bored and leave you alone. In addition, you can block people from phoning or sending texts. You can and should also report them. By reporting a cyberbully you could prevent a cyberbully from bullying other people. If the messages are extremely offensive and intend to cause harm, tell the Gardaí. It’s against the law to threaten people and the Gardaí can put a stop to it. They are there to keep you safe.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Importance of Paediatric First Aid Training

Importance of Paediatric First Aid training is tremendous. Basic first aid training and knowledge can save a distressed child’s life. First aid, in general, is the act of giving someone who is in medical emergency initial help and assistance until access to professional medical assistance can be provided.

 

Legal Framework

The Child Care Act, 1991 (early years services) Regulations 2016 state that a registered provider shall ensure that a person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service. This training must cover both infants and children and enable the Paediatric First Aider to work in different roles. These roles might be roles in childminding, nannying, pre-school work, creche work, teaching, au pair roles, and any role with the responsibility for looking after children.

But there is another aspect to the importance of Paediatric First Aid Training beyond the legal framework. Such training is designed to empower parents with the confidence and competence to respond effectively to emergencies involving children.

 

Practical Importance of Paediatric First Aid Training

A core responsibility of the Paediatric First Aider is to assess the patient quickly for any life threatening injuries.

An infant or child’s body cannot survive without oxygen. 3 to 4 minutes without the oxygen, the brain will begin to die and the damage to the brain will be irreversible. To prevent this, in Paediatric First Aid we aim to quickly assess the patient as follows:

• Primary Survey. The aim of the primary survey is to rapidly assess the infant or child for life threatening emergencies to airway, breathing and circulation. In addition, here we aim to treat each emergency before moving on to the next part of the primary survey. In general, the primary survey consists of checking the patient against the DR ABC acronym (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation). This approach should be used for every patient the Paediatric First Aider is required to assess.
• Secondary Survey. Once the primary survey is completed, a secondary survey should be completed by the Paediatric First Aider. The purpose of this survey is to find any other injuries such as fractures, dislocations, etc. In addition, the purpose of this survey is to find out the patient’s medical history. On some occasions, whether life threatening conditions are detected in the primary survey, it may not be possible to complete the secondary survey.

 

Raising Awareness

There are a number of ways in which one can train and refresh their knowledge in Paediatric First Aid. eLearn Safety offers fully online, blended and face-to-face environmental and occupational health and safety courses. One of such courses is Paediatric First Aid course. At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Assess the paediatric patient.
• Perform the CPR on a child and infant.
• Place the child and infant in the recovery position.
• Know how to treat the choking child and infant.
• Stop bleeding.

Furthermore, there are a number of useful resources available online. Such resources are St. John Ambulance and their Paediatric First Aid Get Advice section. This is First Aid advice for children and babies including choking, croup, drowning, head injuries, hypothermia, how to do a primary survey, CPR and the recovery position. In addition, the HSE provides information about how to treat cuts and bleeding in babies and children and when to get medical help via their webpage First aid.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Workers’ Memorial Day

Workers’ Memorial Day is marked around the world on the 28th April each year. On this date we remember those who have been killed or injured in work related incidents.

The Grim Statistics

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2016 all employers and self-employed persons are legally obliged to report the injury of an employee as a result of an accident while at work. In particular, injuries must be reported if an employee is unable to carry out their normal work for more than three consecutive days, excluding the day of the accident.

The work-related injuries include any injuries incurred by workers in the course of their work. To clarify, these injuries can range from minor injuries to the most serious injuries that resulted in death. According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland and the Health and Safety Statistics they publish, the following is workplace fatalities statistics for years 2013 – 2022:

• 2013 – 47 fatalities.
• 2014 – 55 fatalities.
• 2015 – 56 fatalities.
• 2016 – 48 fatalities.
• 2017 – 48 fatalities.
• 2018 – 39 fatalities.
• 2019 – 49 fatalities.
• 2020 – 54 fatalities.
• 2021 – 38 fatalities.
• 2022 – 28 fatalities.

The total number of fatalities for the period 2013/22 is staggering 462.

Workplace Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities (2021–2022) – Full Report.

 

Non-Fatal Injuries Reported to the HSA

It is not only fatalities that can leave a lasting mark and cause human suffering. Of course, the physical and mental pain, and hardship in general resulting from injury and disability is impossible to quantify. The disruption to lives of workers and their families it causes is far reaching with lasting consequences.

In summary, in 2022, 9,070 non-fatal injuries were reported to the HSA which is an increase of 8% from the 8,371 reported in 2021. For example, the most injured body part for workers in 2022 was the back, associated with 26% of non-fatal incidents reported to the Authority. This is in keeping with recent years, with back injuries comprising 27% of all non-fatal injuries reported to the Authority between 2018 and 2022. Non-fatal back injuries were caused primarily by manual handling incidents.

 

Workplace Accidents

Accidents are a direct result of unsafe activities and unsafe conditions. These can be controlled by proactive management practices and employee awareness. The Management is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the working environment and work-related tasks. To prevent workplace injuries and illness the employer must:

• Provide and keep safe workplaces, machinery and equipment.
• Reduce the chance of risks when using any item or substance and from exposure to physical agents, noise and vibration.
• Prevent any improper conduct or behaviour which might put the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk (for example, ‘horseplay’ or bullying at work).
• Provide instruction and training to employees on health and safety.
• Provide protective clothing and equipment to employees at no cost to employees.
• Appoint a suitable person as the organisation’s safety officer.

Employees must be given information, and the knowledge that accidents are not inevitable but are caused. They need training to develop skills and recognise the need to comply with safe systems of work. Furthermore, they should take an active role in developing said safe systems of work and report and correct unsafe conditions and practices. Without doubt, employee safety awareness and attitudes require constant review and improvement where necessary.

 

The Purpose of Workers’ Memorial Day

The purpose of Workers’ Memorial Day is to remember those who have been killed or injured in work related incidents. However, the purpose of this day is more than just remembrance. Indeed, the purpose is to promote a safe work climate and culture, one which fosters good workplace safety and health practices and conditions. For additional information about workplace safety, please see eLearn Safety blog entry from 21st April 2023 titled Workplace Accidents and Their Prevention. In addition, a blog entry Workplace Hazards from 24th February 2023 provides some additional information about hazards in the workplace. For example, it looks into how to identify and address workplace hazards.

Accident prevention in the workplace is not just setting up a list of rules and enforcing these. Having said this, the rules are certainly important but they are and should be part of a larger picture – developing and managing a system for managing health and safety. Worker safety and health is everyone’s business and can only be tackled through a collaborative approach by all.

 

Workers’ Memorial Day 2024

We must remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases. In addition, remembrance must be coupled with the commitment to fight for a world that’s more, not less, safe to live and work in.

To mark Workers’ Memorial Day 2024 there are a range of initiatives that your organisation should consider including:

• Hold a minute’s silence at 12 noon in your workplace.
• Get involved by using the national Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland logo on a website, social media presence, presentations, email signatures, displays and in offices and workplaces.
• Organise an in-house training sessions and/or a toolbox talk.
• Website/Social Media/Newsletter content.
• Organise Awareness Talk with a Guest speaker presentation to your staff.
• Use #WorkersMemorialDay on all social media activity.

It is very important to have an effective occupational health management system in place. Overall, there are sound economic reasons for reducing work-related accidents and ill-health, as well as ethical and regulatory reasons. Markedly, businesses that manage safety and health successfully invariably have a positive safety culture. Without a doubt, Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. With this in mind, it is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. In other words, the role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Reasons for Promoting Workplace Safety

Reasons for promoting workplace safety are numerous. Poor workplace safety can have serious business costs, human costs and legal costs. In addition, the need to protect people from injury and disease while they are at work has a strong moral reasoning. Every year, accidents at work cost the Irish industry millions of euros. The effects of the injuries sustained vary from needing an extended period of time off work, never being able to work again, to sometimes unfortunately, injuries being fatal.

 

Four Main Reasons for Promoting Workplace Safety

There are many reasons why accident prevention in the workplace is worthwhile. For the purpose of this text we will discuss four:

1. The cost of human suffering. The physical and mental pain, and hardship in general resulting from death and disability is impossible to quantify. The disruption to lives of workers and their families it causes is far reaching with lasting consequences.
2. Moral reasons. Societal development raised public awareness about quality of life at work and its importance. Workers safety, once seen as unimportant or marginally important business activity is now expected by the society in general. The business is viewed by the public through its treatment of its employees. This might directly influence employee attraction and retention rates and business profitability or lack of one.
3. Legal reasons. The statute law details steps to be taken and objectives to be met in terms of workplace health and safety. Compliance is not optional – it is mandatory. Non compliance might result in serious legal prosecutions, or other enforcement actions. In addition, the civil law enables injured workers and others to gain compensation either as a result of breach of statutory duties or because a reasonable standard of care was not provided under the particular circumstances.
4. Financial reasons. To ensure the continuing financial health of a business and to avoid the costs associated with accidents, implementation of accident prevention is a must.

 

Health and Safety Legislation

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the statutory body in Ireland responsible for the enforcement of occupational health and safety law. The HSA reports directly to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Health and Safety legislation in Ireland is designed to secure and improve the Safety, Health and Welfare of people at work. Specifically, this is done by advocating a risk assessment approach to managing workplace safety. For additional information about risk assessments, please see eLearn Safety blog entry from 12th January 2024 titled Workplace Risk Assessment.

The main health and safety regulations in Ireland are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and Safety, Health and welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. The Act 2005 applies to employers, employees and the self-employed. Indeed, this is done in the interest of securing a preventive approach to occupational health and safety. In addition, the GA Regulations 2007 outline the specific workplace safety matters.

 

Achieving Workplace Safety

There are many obstacles to the achievement of safe working conditions. Specifically, most common obstacles are the pressure of production or performance targets, financial constraints and the complexity of the organisations. Unfortunately, these obstacles are sometimes blatant disregard of basic health and safety regulations and poor health and safety management practices.

In difficult economic times, organisations need to reduce their costs. This often impacts on the management of health and safety. For example, training of workers in safe systems of work or plant equipment maintenance could be neglected. One way to keep staff informed about workplace safety is eLearn Safety fully online Workplace Safety – Level 1 course. This course is ideal for every employee in any workplace that’s subject to Health and Safety Legislation. In other words, safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. In particular, it provides all employees who participate on this course with information on how to identify hazards and carry out simple risk assessments.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Display Screen Equipment (DSE), also referred to as a Visual Display Unit (VDU), may cause a number of health problems. Display screens cause many instances of eye strain, wrist strain, back problems and headaches. When seeking solutions to address these issues, a common mistake is to look into display equipment and the technology associated with it. However, to adequately address the issue of health problems associated with the use of DSE, we must understand common work activities ergonomics and the ill-health conditions associated with inadequate ergonomic design.

 

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) and the Relevant Legislation

The main legislation that addresses Display Screen Equipment (DSE) is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The main purpose of this legislation is to ensure and promote a preventive approach to occupational health and safety. However, a specific piece of legislation covers use of DSE specifically. The Safety, Health and Welfare at work (General Application) Regulations 2007 Chapter 5 of Part 2: Display Screen Equipment outlines the responsibilities of the employer with regard to the workstation of employees.

 

What the Term Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Covers (and What Does Not)

Schedule 4 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 sets the minimum requirements for all Display Screen Equipment (DSE) that should be in place for workstations. The Schedule covers a number of elements, such as:

• Display Screen Equipment.
• Keyboard.
• Work Desk and/or Work Surface.
• Work Chair.
• Environment (such as space requirement, lighting, radiation, heat and humidity, noise).
• Employee Computer Interface (software should be suitable for the task and easy to use).

The following are not covered by the regulation:

• Drivers’ cabs or control cabs for vehicles and machinery.
• Computer systems on board a means of transport.
• Computer systems mainly intended for public use.
• Portable display screen equipment not in prolonged use at workstation.
• Typewriters of traditional design, of the type known as “typewriter with window”.

 

Basic Health Hazards Associated with Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

The basic health hazards associated with the use of DSE are:

• Musculoskeletal Problems (e.g., tenosynovitis).
• Visual Problems (e.g., visual fatigue, eye strain, sore eyes, headaches, and in extreme cases skin rashes and nausea).
• Psychological Problems (stress-related problems, often caused by environmental factors such as noise, heat, humidity and poor lighting, and poor managerial practices such as poor staff training, poor workstation design, high-speed working and lack of breaks).

 

Addressing the Issue – Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

To address the staff knowledge gap issue when working with Display Screen Equipment (DSE), eLearn Safety developed a fully online VDU/DSE training course. On completion of this VDU training course, participants will be provided with the information necessary to ensure current legislation is complied, risk assessments are carried out and all employees are competent to adjust their work stations to provide a safe place to work in.

All employers and staff who use VDU workstations for any length of time should do this course to learn how to avoid the range of adverse effects on the arm, hand and shoulder (WRULD’s) and other parts of the body.

Another useful course is Workplace Safety – Level 1. This course is ideal for every employee in any workplace that’s subject to Health and Safety Legislation. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. It provides all employees who participate on this course with information on how to identify hazards and carry out simple risk assessments.

For additional information about workplace ergonomics, please see eLearn Safety blog entry from 23rd June 2023 titled Ergonomics in the Workplace. In addition, Display Screen Equipment – (DSE/VDU) – Frequently Asked Questions by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) provides useful information to tackle the issue of Display Screen Equipment (DSE) use.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Chemical Safety in the Workplace

Chemical Safety in the Workplace (and Occupational Health in general) is often overlooked when compared to Occupational Safety. The reason might be that the exposure to chemicals in the workplace might not cause illness or injury when exposure occurred, but months, if not years later. According to the Irish Cancer Society ‘work related cancer is increasing year on year with 5% of all cancers linked to occupation. Lung cancer represents nearly a quarter of all these cancers. Across Europe, exposure to cancer causing elements at work is estimated to cause at least 80,000 deaths a year. In Ireland this is over 400.’

The majority of the workplaces, across all industries use chemicals in some form. A number of chemicals are all around us to which employees could be routinely exposed. For example, paints, sprays, toners and inks, adhesives, petrol, solvents and not to mention a wide range of materials used in cleaning and maintenance such as detergents and oils.

All workplaces must assess the workplace against the risk of chemicals. These risks must be managed.

 

Why is Chemical Safety in the Workplace Important

Chemicals can cause serious harm. This harm can range from mild skin irritation to cancer. Whilst sometimes the effects of chemical exposure can be seen immediately after contact (e.g. chemical burn), some might be evident many years after the exposure (e.g. cancer – mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is related to asbestos exposure, continues to increase and it is estimated that about 56 people a year get this disease. There is no cure for this fatal form of asbestos related disease.

 

Chemical Safety in the Workplace and Key Duties of Employers and Employees

There are key duties for employers and employees under the relevant health and safety legislation:

Employers are required to:

• Determine which hazardous substances are present in the workplace.
• Assess the risks to employees and others from the presence of these hazardous substances.
• Prevent or control exposure to the hazardous substances to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
• Have arrangements in place to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies.
• Provide information, training and consultation to employees.
• Make available health surveillance to employees.

Employees also have duties. They must:

• Co-operate with their employer e.g. follow procedures.
• Make full and proper use of control measures e.g. using extract ventilation where provided, and report any defects.
• Report any defects in plant/ equipment immediately to the employer as appropriate.
• Report any accident or incident which may have resulted in the release of a dangerous
• chemical/substance into the workplace.

 

Assessing Chemical Safety in the Workplace

A chemical risk assessment follows the same steps as a risk assessment for any other hazards in the workplace. For some additional information, please read eLearn Safety blog entry from 12 January 2024 titled Workplace Risk Assessment.

There are three basic steps to chemical risk assessment:

1. Identify the Hazard: This involves identifying the chemicals you have in your workplace and the hazards associated with them.
2. Assess the Risk: This involves assessing the risk from chemicals or processes in your workplace.
3. Control the Exposure: This involves considering the various recognized control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk.

Please remember – if you are unsure of any aspect of managing chemicals safely in your workplace, you should seek help from a competent person.

 

Implementation of Suitable Control Measures

Once you have assessed the risk associated with the use of your chemicals, you then need to decide what control measures are required to keep you, your employees and your workplace safe.
At this stage you should also consider any current control measures that are in place, such as:

• Type of engineering controls e.g. enclosures and ventilation – are they effective and maintained regularly?
• Current work practices or procedures.
• Personal protective and safety equipment.
• Training provided to employees. The Chemical Safety course provided by eLearn Safety is a fully online course that describes the risks associated with exposure to chemicals and looks into control measures in place to avoid the risks.
• Hygiene arrangements e.g. separate meal and wash facilities.
• Storage arrangements.
• Level of housekeeping.
• Disposal of waste.
• Emergency procedures e.g. eyewash, emergency shower.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Workplace Risk Assessment

Workplace risk assessment is fundamental step of any workplace Safety Management System (SMS). A risk assessment is a process used to identify potential hazards and analyze what could happen if a disaster or hazard occurs.

 

Understanding Risk Assessment

In order to understand ‘risk’ and ultimately ‘risk assessment’ we must perhaps firstly comprehend what constitutes risk and what risk is. Why we, as humans take risks almost every day of our waking lives. We take risks at home, in the office, and certainly on our way to work in the mornings as we undergo the ‘commute’ and face the challenges inherent within.

Haimes (2009), discusses risk as an amalgamation of risk dimensions, but with a more ‘human’ understanding of a problem or ‘risk interpretation’. For example, the crusty ‘old timer’, has a subjective understanding of a system that only ‘he’ understands. To use an example of a ships’ engine, the ‘old boy’ can ‘hear’ the problem. They can almost ‘feel’ the problem, sensing the risk in its continued use as opposed to the new trainee. The new trainee approaches the problem from a ‘text book’ stance. Both individuals are aware of ‘risk’ but each approach the issue from completely different angles.

 

Risk as an Uncertainty Management

Power (2004), labels risk as ‘uncertainty management’. He goes on to discuss how we try to create ‘constructs’ in which we can work and live. For example, seatbelts, signage, ISO standards etc. Power (2004, p.9) states that “we cannot know the risks we face now or in the future but we must act as if we do”. This is perhaps the whole ‘crux’ of risk management and risk assessment. We ‘plan’ for an outcome, we anticipate it to a certain extent but we can never fully know what its full effect will be.

As previously mentioned, we wear seat-belts, and bikers wear helmets. Unfortunately, that that does not remove the risk of excessive speed or other motorists. We can experience a car crash, we can survive. We exit our vehicles in a state of shock but then we wander onto the motorway and are stuck by a passing vehicle whose driver’s attention has been taken up with their voyeuristic intent to see the carnage of our current situation. That momentary ‘lapse’ in their concentration dooms us. Although we have ‘planned’ for a certain risk, (a car crash), we have not planned for our own immobility or shock, nor the ignorance of outside observers.

 

Available Solutions

So, what can we do? How do we plan for risk and conduct adequate risk assessment. Can we remove or reduce the factors which precipitate disaster, and stop ourselves and others from for getting hurt? Hollnagel, (2008, p. 172) discuses resilience and how it requires the capacity for anticipation of risk and a management plan to be applied as risks arises. To this end, perhaps the ‘Robson Risk Management Model’ may be adequate and appropriate in this regard.

This model can be used in both a ‘personal’ concept and applied in an organisational context.

 

Perception of the Risk

The individual or organisation perceives that a risk may be inherent in a certain activity or action.

 

Risk Identification.

The risk(s) of the activity is ‘identified’ and ‘labelled’ (in the organisational context) with a ‘risk assessment’ form.

 

Assessing Risk

The risk is ‘assessed’ on the basis of its ‘potentiality’ and ‘gravity’. If we are competent and thoughtful driver, the likelihood that we will experience a car crash might be low, but still exist. The severity however, if we crash, might be catastrophic.

 

Risk Strategies

Stemming from the risk assessment above, numerous risk strategies are developed with a view to removing the risk even further. This can take the form of ‘avoidance’, transfer, retention or reduction. This is referred to as the ‘HOC’ or hierarchy of controls, and is applied as follows:

Eliminate hazard at source

Elimination of a hazardous material or method. This is a permanent solution which eliminates the offending item completely, however this may not always be a viable scenario. Some hazardous items must be used or worked with in their current state, such as ‘live’ munitions on a range.

Substitute hazard at source.

If it is possible to substitute an item. An example of which is when a military force might use ‘blank rounds’ for exercises and instruction of new entrants. This substitution completely removes the risk of ‘friendly fire’ occurring.

Isolate or enclose the hazard.

An example of this is range practices being conducted ‘only’ on certified and controlled ranges. An adequate security and signalling is there in place to prevent entry to non-firers and to inform others that a shoot is taking place. This allows for the hazard to be successfully isolated and controlled without the possibility of injury.

Engineering controls

Examples of this are the aforementioned security at ranges, flag system of notification and cordon enclosing the range.

Administrative controls

Adequate supply of qualified and experienced range managers ‘in situ’ to manage the firing, observe and enforce safety measures/controls and relieve one another for breaks throughout the day. This allows for fresh, focused and diligent staff to manage the activity.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The last measure is the use of the correct PPE. On range practices, shooters, range security, ‘butt party’ members (those controlling the targets) and range staff must all wear adequate PPE. PPE is in the form of a Kevlar helmet, double hearing protection and GSBA (general service body armour). This control enables an extra layer of protection in the unlikely event of a miss fire.

 

Risk Evaluation

Following all of the above measures, the risk is then re-evaluated in order to ascertain if it still poses the same levels of risk or if the necessary controls are adequate and appropriate to remove or reduce the threat as far as possible. However, it must always be borne in mind that the full elimination of risk is perhaps impossible as it encapsulates far too many variables (both known and unknown), such as human factors, equipment, environment and indeed the risk area itself, thus in order to live with risk we should perhaps understand that a measure of risk is ever present and ‘natural’ and may even be ‘necessary’ for our continued advancement as a species.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

 

Is your Workplace Ready for an Emergency?

How to prepare for an emergency in your workplace. Does your company have a plan in place?

All workplaces should be prepared to deal with an emergency of any nature, at any time. So therefore the best time to respond to an emergency is before it happens.

The saying goes, “Fail to plan; plan to fail,” and it applies to preparation and response. Having a plan in place to deal with emergencies, and ensuring that all employees are aware of it and trained on it, is one of the best things that your company can do to prepare to deal with an emergency. Below, we’ve listed some tips for emergency planning and preparedness in the workplace:

Develop a plan that takes all emergencies into consideration:

Include policies and procedures for employee safety. Consider a spills response plan if your company houses, uses, or transport dangerous chemicals, and a lockdown procedure in case of a violent event. This plan should also include contingency plans that deal with potential damage to facilities, and how employees, vendors, and customers will be handled during and after the event. Be sure to include a chain of command and that all workers know from whom to expect communication in the event of an emergency.

Train all affected workers, sub-contractors, and anyone else who may be affected:

What good is an emergency response plan if no one knows about it, or what it contains? Training is a crucial part of any plan’s success. Communicate the plan with everybody, and ensure that everybody understands the roles, responsibilities, and expectations for every employee – from manager down to worker.

Review the plan and update as often as required:

Best practice stipulates that all workplace policies and procedures should be reviewed at least annually to ensure that any changes to the business in the past year are addressed and/or still applicable. If a change is made to the workplace that drastically affects the plan, it should be reviewed at that time and updated to reflect the change.

Having a plan in place and following it when the time comes will mitigate the damage to your business and hopefully reduce or completely avoid injury or fatality to your workforce. It may also help you get back to business sooner, which is important for your bottom line.

MyeLearnsafety run health and safety courses and chemical safety courses that are both tailor made and specific to your business. Contact us today or take one of our online training courses now.