Health and Safety Archives

Dangers of Vibration at Work

Use of plant and equipment that produces vibration is often not considered as a serious risk and dangers of vibration at work are often overlooked.

Vibration is the transmission of force from work processes into the worker. The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) defines vibrations as ‘rapid movement to and fro or oscillating movement‘.

Examples of Vibration at Work

People in the course of their work life may be exposed to many sources of vibration. Dangers of vibration at work are more often overlooked than not. Some vibration affects the whole body (WBV), e.g. when driving a dumper truck over rough and even ground. Here the vibration, in the form of large shocks or jolts, is transmitted to the whole body via their feet or the seat. This could cause injury to the lower back and spine.

The most common problem is Hand Arm Vibration (HAV). HAV is caused by exposure to vibration, e.g. from using hand power tools. This can be very disabling, causing severe pain in hands and arms and lack of hand movement and feeling in the fingers. It is preventable but permanent once the damage is done.

Dangers of Vibration at Work – HAV Symptoms

The most common HAV symptoms to look for are:

Tingling in the fingers.
Loss of feeling and sensation in the fingers.
Reduced strength in the hand.
Fingers that go white in the cold and then red and painful on recovery.

Dangers of Vibration at Work – HAV Controls

Dangers of vibration at work, i.e. risk from vibrating tools or machines can be minimised by:

Introducing methods that eliminate, substitute or reduce the exposure to vibration.
Avoiding prolonged or frequent use of vibrating equipment.
Keeping cutting tools sharp so they remain efficient.
Making sure equipment is well maintained.
Avoiding forcing or gripping the tool more than is necessary.
Wearing gloves to protect the hands.
Exercising and massaging the fingers during breaks to restore circulation.

Health surveillance is crucial to spot and respond to early signs of damage.

Dangers of Vibration at Work – Further Reading

Chapter 2 of Part 5 and Schedule 6 to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amended) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007) sets down the minimum requirements for the protection of workers from the health risks associated with vibration in the workplace. This is a legislation that looks into dangers of vibration at work.

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) on their webpage Vibration at Work provide relevant to vibration at work information.

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

Working at Height

Working at height and falling from height is one of the biggest causes of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of major injury. Such injuries do not necessarily involve falls from very high scaffolding. They can be caused by any fall above or even below ground level such as an access ladder to an inspection chamber or sewer.

Working at Height Hazards

There are many hazards associated with working at height. The most common hazards include:

Using stepladders or unsuitable alternatives such as chairs or climbing on racking.
Working on scaffolding and other access equipment with inadequate fall arrest controls.
Falling through fragile roofs or skylights.
Objects such as tools falling from height and injuring those below.

Preventing Working at Height Accidents

Preventing working at height accidents is important on many levels. It can avoid costly legal costs but more importantly it can prevent human suffering and in the worst case scenario – human fatality. Preventing accidents is everyone’s duty, from employer to employee. Accidents most often occur:

People taking shortcuts and not using the correct equipment.
Equipment is not available or in poor repair.
Complacency, perhaps over-familiarity with the job.
Lack of awareness of the risks of working at height.
Inadequate training and supervision.

Managing and Selecting Equipment for Working at Height

There are a few simple – but important steps:

Carry out a risk assessment of tasks that are at height. Include in the risk assessment any fragile surfaces that might break if someone worked on it or fell onto it, e.g. fibre and asbestos cement roof sheets and skylights.
If at all possible, avoid working at height and consider if the task can be done in another way, for example using a sponge on an extendable pole to clean windows instead of climbing a ladder.
If working at height cannot be avoided, use equipment or other measures to prevent falls, e.g. guard rails, work platforms, podium steps, tower scaffolds, cherry pickers or scissor lifts.
When the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, use equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, e.g. harnesses, netting and airbags.
Avoid working on, near, or passing across, fragile surfaces, e.g. repair skylights form underneath or provide fixed walkways with guard rails.

Additional measures to reduce the risk of a fall when using equipment for working at height include making sure:

The people have been trained to use it safely.
It is well maintained and regularly inspected.
There is adequate supervision to ensure people are working safely.

Working at Height – Ladders

Ladders are working at height equipment. Ladders may be suitable for light tasks of short duration, but suitable alternatives should be first considered. If ladders have been selected there are a few basic points to remember:

Always check ladders for damage before use.
Set them at the correct angle. The angle should be about 75° or the 1 in 4 rule, i.e., 1 unit out for every 4 units up. If they are at too steep an angle, the ladder could topple backwards and if too shallow an angle, it might slide down the wall.
The ladders must be secure. The ladders should be on firm, level, non-slippery ground. Ladders should not be leaned against plastic guttering. Ladders should always lean against a firm and resistant resting point.
Always grip the ladder and face the rungs when climbing. Try to avoid holding items when climbing but if you do need to carry something, have one free to grip the ladder.
Do not overreach. Keep your belt buckle within the stiles.
Keep both feet on the same rung throughout the task and don’t use the top 3 rungs of the ladder as this prevents a handhold.

Available Resources

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has published a number of useful resources in relation to Working at Height. Some of these are:

Online Health and Safety Training

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 Transport and Vehicles

Almost all businesses use some form of workplace transport and vehicles. There are many examples. A busy factory site with lorries being loaded for despatch. Forklift trucks whizzing around the site. Staff arriving for work in cars. Visitors and staff walking around the site and delivery vehicles reversing into dock loading bays.

Without controls aimed at workplace transport and vehicles, there is a high likelihood of an accident occurring. Unfortunately, almost every year a number of people are killed in vehicle accidents at the workplace.

Risk Assessment – Workplace Transport and Vehicles

A risk assessment must be carried out to identify the hazards and implement controls to minimise the risk. Such controls may include:

Clearly marking segregated traffic routes separating pedestrians from vehicles. This would be ideally done with physical barriers.
Making sure route ways are sufficiently wide for the vehicle, for example aisles between warehouse racking should be wide enough for a forklift truck to move easily and manoeuvre with loads.
Avoidance of obstructions in traffic routes by enforcing good housekeeping.
Sufficient lighting, both externally and internally, to enable drivers to identify obstructions, other vehicles and pedestrians.
Keeping traffic routes in good repair so uneven surfaces, holes, etc. do not cause vehicle damage or accidents.
Speed limits that are displayed and enforced as well as signage to alert drivers to other hazards such as low headroom, or overhead cables.
Designing traffic routes to avoid blind bends and where visibility is restricted, mirrors or implementing one-way systems should be considered.

Common Causes of Accidents

When we talk about workplace transport and vehicles, one of the most common vehicles used in the workplace is a forklift truck. They account for many of all workplace transport accidents.

Common causes of accidents are:

Driving too fast.
Unbalanced loads.
Horseplay.
Reversing.

Reversing of workplace transport and vehicles is a frequent cause of accidents. Consideration should be given to ensure adequate space for reversing vehicles and restricting access to the reversing area. This area should be clearly marked and signed.

Visiting drivers should be made aware of the site layout and transport routes. It may be necessary to provide instructions in other languages for foreign drivers and allow for the fact they may have different visibility from left hand drive vehicles.

Maintaining Safe Workplace and Transport Vehicles

There are many different types of workplace and transport vehicles that can be used. A proper selection will depend on the task to be performed. It is very important that the correct vehicle is selected for the appropriate task and that the vehicle is safe to use. As well as regular routine maintenance, there are some basic pre-use checks drivers should make. These include:

Horn.
Lights.
Brakes.
Tyres.
Oil Spillages.
Seat and Seat Belt.
Any Obvious Signs of Vehicle Damage.

Whichever vehicle is being driven, the driver must be trained and competent. Safe system of work should be in place to make sure unauthorised staff cannot operate vehicles and there are sufficient work breaks to stop drivers becoming overtired.

Safety Management Resources for workplace and Transport Vehicles

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland provides a comprehensive key transport safety management resources available on their website page titled Vehicles at Work. The resources are a convenient and easy to use information portal. In addition, the HSA has published a convenient Information Sheet that provides basic guidance on the management of vehicles and mobile work equipment in the workplace.

Online Health and Safety Training

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

Noise at Work

Often wrongly disregarded as trivial, noise at work could have a severe impact on human health. Any unwanted sound around us, or loud discordant or disagreeable sound or sounds can be referred to as noise. While low levels of noise in the workplace are unlikely to cause harm, louder levels of noise can result in permanent hearing damage or loss.

Legislation in Relation to Noise at Work

The General Application Regulations 2007, Chapter 1 of Part 5: Control Of Noise at Work is available legislation to protect workers from noise exposure. This legislation sets down the minimum requirements for the protection of workers from the health risks associated with noise in the workplace.

In addition, the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland has published Noise related FAQ on their website. This is a sound source of information for most Noise related questions.

Signs of Excessive Noise at Work

The effects of very loud noises are often instantly apparent, but damage caused through exposure to lower levels of sound over a longer period of time may initially go unnoticed.

Generally speaking, a person is exposed to excessive levels of noise when:

They have to shout to be clearly heard by someone 2 meters away.
Their ears are still ringing after leaving the workplace.
The noise is intrusive (e.g. a vacuum cleaner) for most of the day.
They work in a noisy industry (e.g. construction).
There are noises due to impacts such as caused by hammering.

Symptoms of Hearing Damage

Noise is measured in decibels (dB). Environments of 80 dB or more require employers to carry out a noise risk assessment and control methods should be introduced, such as providing information, training and hearing protection. If noise levels are above 85 dB, hearing protection zones should be established and PPE provided to anyone needing to enter a hearing protection zone.

Some of the symptoms of hearing damage are:

Temporary hearing loss after exposure to loud noise.
Ringing or noises in the ears (tinnitus).
Difficulty is distinguishing similar sounding words.
Muffled sounds.
Background noises making conversation confusing.
Having to ask people to speak louder or increase the volume on TVs and radios.

Selecting PPE for protecting against Noise at Work

When selecting PPE, it is important to make sure that the equipment is:

selected carefully with sufficient rating for the noise hazard,
fitted correctly,
compatible with other PPE used by the workforce,
properly maintained,
worn whenever it is appropriate.

In noise control areas, fire alarms must be supplemented with flashing lights or beacons. In the interest of safety, the wearing of hearing defenders outside the restricted area should be discouraged to make sure employees are aware of sounds around them.

Levels of Noise at Work Control

The Noise at Work control levels are:

1. Identify the hazard and assess the risk. This requires a specialist assessment using a noise meter.

2. Reduce the noise by:

designing systems with low levels of noise,
choosing machines with lower levels of noise,
enclosing equipment in sound proofing material,
lagging noisy ducting and pipes,
adding acoustic dampening panels on walls and ceilings,
having equipment properly and regularly maintained.

3. Reduce exposure to personnel (can the regular job be performed further away from the noise source).

4. Reduce the time the employee is exposed to noise.

5. Mark areas where there is a noise hazard as designated areas of protection.

6. As a last resort, if noise is unavoidable, provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and organise proper training in its use.

Online Health and Safety Training

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

Electricity in the Workplace

Most people use some form of electricity in the workplace daily. It is this familiarity that leads to carelessness with electricity and a disregard for the risks associated with it. Common issues are overloading electricity outlets, maintaining electrical equipment while it is still connected to the power supply, using plugs fitted with the wrong fuse and using equipment that does not have a fused plug fitted.

The Main Hazards with Electricity

Electricity can affect the worker in a number of ways:

Burns – electricity invariably burns (both entry and exit burns) and serious injuries can take a long time to heal.
Flash – electrical flashes are extremely bright and can burn or damage the eyes.
Shocks – electricity passing through the body can affect the heart. The consequences can be fatal.
Fires – a significant percentage of fires in the workplace are caused by electrical faults.

The risk of injury from electricity is strongly linked to where and how it is used. In addition, there is greater risk in wet and/or damp conditions.

Once the human body comes into contact with the electricity, it can be impossible to let go of the source of electricity. If the person who is in touch with electricity gets touched by another person, the electricity will flow through the other person as well. The human body is a good conductor of electricity.

Every electric shock has the potential to kill!

Example of an Avoidable Accident

This incident was reported in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive.

Refrigerated display cabinet in a café

A 19-year-old man was electrocuted and killed when he touched a refrigerated display cabinet in a café. Investigation showed that the 13A plug had been incorrectly refitted to the cabinet’s main lead.

This meant the metalwork of the cabinet, which should have been safe to touch, was dangerously live at mains voltage. The man’s sister received two shocks from the cabinet before realising what had happened to her brother.

How to avoid similar accidents

You must ensure that your electrical installation and equipment is safe. Don’t cut corners – electrical installations must be installed by someone who has the necessary training, skills and experience to carry out the work safely.

Using Electrical Equipment Safely

To ensure safe use of electrical equipment:

ALWAYS – Check the equipment before use.
ALWAYS – Switch it off before unplugging the machine.
ALWAYS – Report all faults immediately and remove the equipment from use so no-one else can use it and get injured.
ALWAYS – Turn off the power when servicing electrical equipment.
NEVER – Handle the plug with wet hands.
NEVER – Use electrical equipment in wet conditions.
NEVER – Use electrical equipment unless you have been trained in its use.
NEVER – Overload electrical sockets.
NEVER – Overload extension leads (don’t plug in a combination of appliances that will exceed the maximum current rating for the lead).
NEVER – Attempt repairs unless qualified to do so.

Electrical Equipment Checks

Electrical cables, flexes, tools and equipment should be regularly checked and faults reported. Portable appliances should be checked periodically by a competent person.

A high percentage of faults with electrical equipment can be found by just looking at it. Everyone can play a role in improving safety by making quick visual checks of the equipment they use.

When carrying out preventive maintenance things to look for are:

Damage to cables, e.g. cuts and abrasions to the cable covering.
Damage to plugs, e.g. cracked casing or broken pins.
Loose cables, e.g. the outer covering of the cable not being gripped properly by the plug.
Signs of overheating, e.g. burn marks, staining or melted plastic.
Bare wires (none should be visible).
Coiled extension cables (make sure coiled extension cables are fully extended when in use).

If any of these faults, or any other unusual state of the equipment can be noticed, a qualified person should undertake any necessary repairs. No electrical equipment should be used if there is any sign of damage.

Additional information can be found on Health and Safety Authority website and their Electricity pages.

Dealing with Electrical Shock

A shock occurs when an electrical current passes through the body. This can interfere with the body’s own electrical impulses and may cause the heart or breathing to stop. Burns may be seen where the current enters and exits the body. There may also be deep internal damage which cannot be seen along the path of the current.

In the event of someone suffering an electric shock:

Seek help and do not put yourself at risk.
Make sure the contact with the electricity is broken before you touch the casualty. Turn off the power at the mains or unplug the appliance if possible. Do not touch anything that is metal or wet.
For high voltage supplies (such as overhead power lines) do not allow anyone within 18 meters of the casualty.
Once the power is disconnected safely, someone with first aid knowledge can give first aid. This may involve giving CPR or treating any burns or injuries.
Take the casualty to hospital for a check up (even if they have apparently recovered). Call 999/112 for emergency help if the casualty has been unconscious or has electrical burns.

Online Health and Safety Training

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

Health and Safety in the Workplace

Effective Health and Safety management in the workplace is an important element of every organisation. Every year, accidents at work cost the Irish industry billions of euros. The effects of the injuries sustained vary from minor to major injuries. In some cases, employees will be needing an extended period of time off work. In other cases they will never be able to work again. Unfortunately, in some cases they will receive injuries that would be fatal. The fact is, many of these accidents are avoidable and should have not happened.

Much of Health and Safety relies on ensuring that the appropriate risk precautions are in place. Additional information about workplace hazards are available in our blog entry from 21 April 2023 Workplace Accidents and Their Prevention. If individuals are aware of potential hazards and adopt safe working practices, they can control the risks and reduce the number of accidents and injuries.

Workplace Fatalities from 2017 to 2022

The work-related injuries include any injuries incurred by workers in the course of their work. 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 2017 – 2022:

2017 – 47 fatalities.
2018 – 39 fatalities.
2019 – 48 fatalities.
2020 – 54 fatalities.
2021 – 38 fatalities.
2022 – 26 fatalities.

There have been 230 fatalities in Ireland since 2017.

Health and Safety in the workplace is an important aspect of any organisation. All work related fatalities are preventable through vigilance and effective Health and Safety management. All employees and persons affected by business activities deserve to go home after their work day has ended.

Common Causes of Accidents in the Workplace

Whilst not all workplace accidents result in death, the majority of them will result in an injury. Common causes of accident in the workplace are often:

Slips, trips and falls.
Poor lifting and carrying.
Being struck by vehicles or moving objects.
Falls from height.
Misuse of machinery.
Incorrect use of harmful substances.

Work related activities can also be responsible for diseases and ill health. These, in some cases, can have long term, irreversible effects. For example:

Hearing loss from noisy workplaces.
Stress
Skin disorders.
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
Back pain.
Asbestosis and cancer as a result of asbestos exposure.
Work-related lung diseases and cancers.

These hazards can be controlled by assessing risks and putting in effective controls. Effective health and Safety practices will not only minimise the pain and personal consequences to individual employees, but also reduce the financial impact on employers and services funded by the taxpayer.

Business and Human Costs of Ineffective Health and Safety in the Workplace

The costs on the business for ineffective Health and Safety in the Workplace can be significant:

Legal advice and insurance costs.
Legal action, possibly resulting in compensation.
Sick pay.
Lost production and sales.
Equipment and stock losses and damage.
Time and money spent on investigations and improvements.
Recruitment and payment of cover/replacement staff.

These, however, can fade into insignificance when weighed against the human cost:

Pain and suffering.
Disability, possibly long-term.
Health care and rehabilitation.
Loss of earnings.
emotional and financial burden on family.
Potential loss of life.

Safe working conditions are a prerequisite for a healthy and productive workforce.

Ineffective Health and Safety in the Workplace – From the Press

The Health and Safety Authority reported on 26th June 2023 that the company was fined €750,000 after fatal fall from height in workplace. The fatal incident occurred when a worker stepped onto a fragile surface. The fragile surface that sealed a vertical service duct which gave way and the worker fell from a height.

Mark Cullen, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, commented, “Where there is a known risk in a workplace, in this case working from height, employers in control of that workplace have a duty to ensure that the appropriate precautions are in place. This will protect employees and others who may be carrying out work activity at the place of work under their control. Failure by the employer in this case has led to the tragic death of a worker. We urge employers to carry out risk assessments and engage with their employees and others to ensure that incidents like this one are prevented.”

Online Health and Safety Training

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

Asbestos in the Workplace

A number of Laws and Regulations have been made to ensure that workers are protected from risks related to exposure to Asbestos in the Workplace.

Asbestos is a name for a group of six naturally occurring mineral fibres. They are very strong and corrosive resistant material. However, it is now recognised that asbestos exposure can have serious health consequences.

Asbestos was extensively used as a building material in the Irish construction industry up until 1999. The majority if not all of the buildings built between 1940 to 1985 contain asbestos in some form. This is the time in which asbestos production peaked.

Asbestos has been widely used in construction for a variety of purposes. It was ideal for fireproofing and insulation, but its use was wider than this. Asbestos was used in:

Fireproofing
Thermal Insulation
Electrical Insulation
Sound Insulation
Decorative Planters
Roofing Products
Flooring Products
Heat Resistant Materials
Gaskets
Chemical resistance

Dangers of Asbestos

Exposure of workers and the occupier to asbestos in the workplace can occur during uncontrolled asbestos removal or disturbance. Asbestos is the greatest single work-related cause of death from ill health. Past exposure is now responsible for thousands of people dying from asbestos related cancers every year. This is expected to increase because it can take 15-60 years for the disease to develop and there is no cure.

According to the HSE Asbestos Fact Sheet, it is now recognised that the short-term high level inhalation exposure to asbestos has been associated with lung cancer, mesothelioma and pleural disorders. Further asbestos studies have shown that chronic inhalation is similarly detrimental to human health. The chronic exposure to asbestos is associated with asbestosis, pleural abnormalities, mesothelioma and lung cancer.

When materials containing asbestos are distributed, damaged or allowed to deteriorate, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Asbestos fibers are potentially fatal if they are breathed in. Asbestos can also enter the human body through ingestion, though this is less common. The fibers can enter the lungs and damage them causing scars that stop the lungs working properly or even causing cancer. According to the World Health organisation, asbestos is a proven carcinogen for which a safe air concentration cannot be established.

Anyone who disturbs asbestos containing materials, e.g., by working on them or near them, can be exposed to asbestos fibers. Those most at risk are those who carry out building maintenance and refurbishment work, e.g. electricians, joiners and heating engineers.

The Law and Asbestos in the Workplace

Duty holders need to manage the risk from asbestos in the workplace and make sure an assessment is made as to whether asbestos is, or may be present in the building. This includes where the asbestos is, or is assumed to be and what condition it is in. It should always be assumed that asbestos could be present until a full survey is done.

As with any work activity the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 (S.I. No. 10 of 2005) and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 as amended (S.I. No. 299 of 2007 & S.I. No. 732 of 2007) apply and must be considered with respect to the protection of workers at the place of work. In addition, as regards specific work activities involving working with materials containing asbestos, particular attention must be taken concerning the requirements and control measures as outlined in the relevant asbestos related legislation. Such additional regulations are the Carcinogens Regulations, the Construction Regulations and Other Regulations (such as Confined Space, Work at Heights, etc).

Asbestos Awareness

According to the HSE Asbestos Public Health Advice, asbestos is present all around us. Traces can be found in small quantities in urban and rural air samples. We are all breathing in small amounts of asbestos fibers over our lifetimes.

Whilst we cannot always risk assess the environment around us, employers are required by law to identify all hazards in the workplace. This includes asbestos in the workplace. You can read more about workplace hazards in our Workplace Hazards blog from 24 February 2023. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) imposes specific duties on employers to provide adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to their employees to ensure their safety, health and welfare at work.

The eLearn Safety online school offers a fully online Asbestos Awareness course. The aim of this course is to provide information on the identification and the prevention of occupational illness from exposure to respirable asbestos fibres.

Online Health and Safety Training

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

Prolonged Static Sitting at Work

Prolonged static sitting at work has become a norm in the modern economy and the way many jobs are performed. The rise in home-working due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic has probably exacerbated the situation as many employees are not commuting to work anymore. Whilst commuting to work is generally considered a ‘lost time’, this is not the case if the commuting was done through walking, cycling or any other physical activity. In this case, the time spent on commuting counts towards personal physical activity which has numerous positive health effects.

Prolonged static sitting at work, however, brings numerous negative health effects.

What is Prolonged Static Sitting at Work

Prolonged sitting can be defined as being sedentary for 2 hours or longer at a time. This has three main characteristics:

low energy expenditure;
a seated body posture;
static loading (physical exertion to maintain the same position).

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work published an insightful report Prolonged static sitting at work: health effects and good practice advice which delves into the issues associated with prolonged sitting at/for work.

Tips for Mitigating Prolonged Sitting Risks

To ensure a good sitting position at work, a number of factors must be looked at. These factors according to the Canadian centre for Occupational Health and Safety are:

workplace design (including tasks, workstation, and chair design),
job design,
education and training.

None of these factors are more important than the other. To ensure a best possible sitting at work arrangement, all these factors must be looked into. The eLearn Safety VDU/DSE course provides invaluable employee training that explores issues arising from tasks related to sitting; and it looks into workstation arrangement and chair adjustment.

Some of the tips to prevent adverse effects associated with sitting at work are:

Stand up and walk every hour for a few minutes.
If there are sit-stand desks, alternate posture regularly between the two. A typical example is to sit for 30 minutes, stand for 25 minutes and walk for 5 minutes every hour.
Try to change position frequently between sitting, standing and moving around.
When sitting, change position frequently – so called ‘dynamic sitting’.
Take your lunch away from your work desk.
Provide high tables in meeting spaces and so people can stand for meetings or breaks.
Create a climate and culture in the organisation that promotes more active working.
Drivers should take plenty of short breaks.
Drivers should step out of the cab or vehicle whenever possible, take a short walk during stops and do some stretches.
Drivers, pilots and office workers should move their feet from heel to toe when sat down to encourage blood circulation.

The Law

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, (General Application) Regulations 2007, Chapter 5 of Part 2 outline the requirements that must be adhered to in relation to Display Screen Equipment and Workstation. According to the Regulations 2007, the workstation is defined as

an assembly comprising display screen equipment, which may be provided with a keyboard or input device or software, or a combination of the foregoing, determining the operator and machine interface, and includes—

(a) a work chair and work desk or work surface,

(b) any optional accessories and peripherals, and

(c) the immediate work environment of the display screen equipment.

The employer must carry out a Risk Assessment of employee workstations and implement relevant measures to mitigate risks. This information must be collated to employees. The Risk Assessment is an ongoing activity, and all workstations should be regularly assessed to reflect any change of equipment and/or emergence of new technologies and practices that might mitigate some of the risks associated with the use of workstations. In addition, the employer must provide relevant VDU/DSE training in the use of to them applicable workstations. This training must take place before the work commences and/or whenever there is a modification of the workstation.

Preventing Adverse Effects of prolonged Sitting

Risks associated with prolonged sitting are numerous. There is ample evidence that suggests that this can be prevented by light regular physical exercise. At least 30 minutes of daily exercise is recommended. This can be any activity, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or exercising at home or at the gym.

Regular exercise can keep people fit and it burns calories. The majority of people with daily exercise routines also report improved sleep and feel more rested after waking up. In addition, regular exercise promotes a healthy heart and keeps weight down. This in turn reduces risk of a number of poor health conditions, such as various musculo-skeletal disorders (low back pain; neck and shoulder complaints, etc.), cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol and even cancer.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) published useful Physical Activity Guidelines to consider for getting healthy and staying healthy.

Online Health and Safety Training

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 Accidents and Their Prevention

Workplace accidents and their prevention are key priorities of anyone at work – employers and employees alike. Prevention of workplace accidents helps organisations prevent injuries and ill-health at work, damage to property, lost of productivity. In addition, workplace accident may cause significant legal issues. whilst accidents are usually regarded as unplanned and uncontrolled events, this is often not the case,. The truth is that many accidents can be avoided. An accident is an incident that may cause:

Major or serious personal injuries or damage to the workplace.
Minor damage or injuries.
A near miss.
Death.

Main Factors That Cause Accidents in the Workplace

Each workplace has certain hazards associated with its operation. Being aware of these hazards and the control of associated risks is essential for accident prevention. You can find out about workplace hazards in our Workplace Hazards blog entry form 24 February 2023.

There are three factors that can cause problems in the workplace:

Occupational – injury or illness directly connected to work related tasks such as lifting and carrying or using tools and equipment.
Environmental – conditions in the workplace such s heating, ventilation, lighting and space that can affect the safety of workers.
Human – lack of training, inexperience, complacency, disregard for safety rules, haste, distraction and tiredness are examples of human factors that can contribute to accidents, Unfortunately many human hazards are very difficult to control. This is why relevant training and prevention is extremely important. For training courses to that might help with Human Hazard prevention, please check our online training school eLearn Safety.

Investigation of Workplace Accidents and Their Prevention process

It is vital that all managing staff creates a positive attitude to health and safety matters and to make sure all members of the team take health and safety seriously. Everyone in the workplace must follow safe working procedures and must report safety issues and defects.

Employers need to be made aware of occurrences so they can be prevented from happening again. All accidents, including near misses and all incidents and ill-health must be reported. This is so these events could be investigated and corrective action taken. This is however not to ‘punish’ anyone involved, but to prevent the accident happening again and to learn from it. Employees have a legal duty to report occurrences to their employer.

Accidents and incidents can be reported in the form of of an Accident Book, which should contain, for example, the following information:

Date and Time of Injury.
Name of the Injured Person.
A description of the accident and Nature of the Injury.
What Action was Taken and by Whom.
Final Outcome (e.g., employee sent home, hospitalised, etc.).
Person reporting an Injury (if it is not the injured person).

Accident and Dangerous Occurrence Reporting

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. 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.

How to Report an Injury

The injury at the workplace can be reported:

HSA Online Reporting Platform
By filling Schedule 7 Notifiable Incident Form and sending it by An Post.

Workplace Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities (2020–2021)

The number of fatal incidents for 2020 was reported as 54. There were 38 work-related fatal incidents in 2021.

In 2021, 8,279 non-fatal injuries were reported to the Authority, an increase of 8% from the 7,652 reported in 2020. This may be due in part to revived economic activity in 2021 following the partial relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. Of the 8,279 non-fatal injuries reported in 2021, 97% related to workers. The highest number was reported in the NACE economic sector of Human Health and Social Work Activities, which accounted for over 22% of all incidents. For non-worker incidents, the highest number was reported in Wholesale and Retail Trade (118) representing 46% of all non-worker injuries.

Workplace Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities (2020–2021) – Full Report.

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure 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.

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