Safety at work Archives

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

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

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.

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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.”

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

Ergonomics in the Workplace

Ergonomics in the workplace is one of the most overlooked workplace related hazards. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the task to the person by designing equipment and apparatus that fits well with the human body and the way that it moves. People come in all shapes and sizes. This is why all workstations should be designed with adjustable features. For example, adjustable seats and work platforms. This will enable the worker to work comfortably. Uncomfortable workstation can result in people stooping, stretching, overreaching, twisting, etc. This can cause muscle fatigue and strain. In addition, it can possibly cause longer term damage or deformation.

Risk Assessing the Ergonomics in the Workplace

Some of the factors that should be considered when risk assessing the ergonomics of work activities are:

The degree of force that is needed to do the job.
The environmental conditions – lighting and temperature.
Adequacy of rest periods.
The repetitiveness of the task.

Any machine expected to carry out repetitive motions must be regularly maintained and parts replaced as they wear out. Failure to maintain machinery may result in breakdown. People may also be expected to carry out similar repetitive tasks and suffer wear and tear as a result. This can cause them to suffer permanent damage and being unable to work. Any activity involving high repetitions should be looked at carefully and redesigned to avoid this as far as possible.

Enabling Ergonomics in the Workplace

Some of the effective measures to enable good ergonomic practices in the workplace are:

Alternating tasks and work breaks to avoid repetitive strain injuries.
Providing comfortable working temperatures and adequate ventilation.
Providing sufficient lighting and minimising glare by glazing windows or supplying blinds.
Minimising vibration.
Mechanising the task.
Regular health tests may be necessary and should be promoted by employers.
Training will also help employees to be more aware of good practice.

Occupations commonly associated with musculoskeletal problems are computer users, checkout operators, dentists and workers on production lines. One of the preventive measures that should be taken to prevent injuries at work is Manual Handling training. The eLearn Safety provides blended learning Manual Handling course has been designed by our qualified tutors to assist the employer to comply with current legislation.

Ergonomics in the Workplace and Display Screen Equipment

Display screens cause many instances of eye and wrist strain, back problems and headaches. Some additional insights into problems caused by use of display screens can be found in our blog entry Prolonged Static Sitting at Work from 26 May 2023.

Many of the problems associated with the use of display screens can be mitigated by implementing effective measures to enable good ergonomic practices as listed in the previous paragraph.

Some additional measures should be provided/enabled:

Eye tests for regular users of display screen equipment.
Sufficient desk space to provide support for the forearms and at a height where they are parallel to the surface of the desk.
Height adjustable seating with back support and footrests available if necessary to facilitate correct posture and comfort.
Height adjustable display screens to enable them to be positioned so the eyes are level with the top of the screen. They should have filters (if older models to minimise flicker and glare), screen controls and be placed to avoid reflections on the screen.
Adequate work space under the desk to allow the operator to change positions.
Regular training in recognising the adverse effects that incorrect use can have on the body and how to correct incorrect postures. eLearn Safety offers a fully online VDU/DSE course.

Staff experiencing discomfort and pain whilst using display screen equipment should report these issues to their employer as soon as they become aware of them. To help understand the use of VDU/DSE, the Health and Safety Authority has published useful Display Screen Equipment – (DSE/VDU) – Frequently Asked Questions.

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

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment, or short PPE, is according to the Hierarchy of Risk Controls the last control method used to control risk. According to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA):

“Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) means any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards. Respiratory Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a particular type of Personal Protective Equipment, used to protect the individual wearer against inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air.”

In other words, PPE includes any equipment or clothing intended to be held or worn by people at work to offer protection against identified problems.

Where more than one item of PPE is required to be used simultaneously, e.g. hearing defenders and safety helmet, the items must be compatible and must not interfere with the level of protection offered by the individual items. Many manufacturers offer integrated systems which might be used provided they abide to certain rules.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE ) must be provided free of charge by employers – employers cannot pass on to employees any financial costs associated with duties relating to safety, health and welfare at work.

Personal Protective (PPE) Rules

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 , Part 2 Chapter 3 covers Use of Personal Protective Equipment at work. Broadly speaking all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must:

Be suitable to protect against the risk and fir properly.
Give adequate protection.
Be compatible with other equipment worn.
Carry a CE mark.
Be cleaned and maintained regularly and be replaced if worn or broken. This includes changing filters, eye shields, etc. as necessary.
Be thoroughly cleaned or washed, before removal if contaminated to avoid accidental contact by user.
Be correctly stored in a well ventilated and clean area.
Be worn (employers may take disciplinary action against employees who do not wear required PPE).

Personal protective Equipment (PPE) must meet certain EU requirements and standards which confirm it meets specified safety and various test criteria. Generally PPE that carries CE mark will meet these criteria.

European Union (Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations 2018 provide that PPE may not be placed on the market or brought into service unless it complies with basic health and safety requirements. It is deemed to be in conformity with the Regulations if it bears the CE mark”.

It should always be remembered that PPE does not change the hazard in any way. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) offers protection for the wearer only.

Types of Personal protective Equipment (PPE)

When a Risk Assessment indicates that PPE should be used, it is important to choose the right type to protect different parts of the body.

Some of the types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are:

Helmets – protects head. Usually used in construction, mining and other groundwork or work where there are risks of falling objects.
Visors and face shields – protects face. Usually used by welding and foundry workers (molten metal splashes).
Goggles and glasses – protects eyes. Usually used for welding work with lasers, woodwork, or all these activities where there is a risk of flying fragments or chemical splashes.
Plugs, muffs and helmets – protects ears. Usually used for work in noisy environments, e.g. heavy duty drilling and/or hammering and noisy machine rooms.
Gloves (rubber, chain mail) – protects hands. Used for work involving the handling of hazardous substances, chainsaws, knives saws, hot/cold items, rough wood, etc.
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – used to protect respiratory system. Work in unhealthy atmospheres and/or involving exposure to hazardous substances and work producing substantial quantities of dust. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) not worn or selected appropriately is totally ineffective. In addition, it may give the user a false sense of protection. For further guidance or RPE see Health and Safety Authority – Respiratory Protective Equipment.
Clothing (high visibility/thermal, cut resistant, safety harness, etc.) – protects the body. Usually used for work involving risks of splashing or other contamination. It is also used for work with chainsaws (arms and legs) or ionising radiation, etc. It is also used for work where there is a risk of falling.
Safety boots and gaiters (toe protectors, insulating footwear) – usually used for work where there is a risk of splashing or of falling objects. In addition, it is used for work with live electricity.

Personal protective Equipment (PPE) should only be used if the hazard cannot be controlled any other way.

Training in Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All employees required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided with suitable information, instruction and training (including training in the use, care or maintenance of PPE) to enable them to make proper and effective use of any PPE provided for their protection.

Further Guidance on the Requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations

For additional guidance on the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, please refer to the relevant Personal Protective Equipment Guidance to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007.

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Occupational Health

Occupational Health is the promotion and maintenance of physical and mental wellbeing of all staff. Health problems directly related to a person’s job are defined as an occupational illness.

Some hazards, such as skin contact with chemicals causing short-term irritation and/or rashes are known as acute illnesses. For more information try our fully online Chemical Safety course. Chronic illnesses develop gradually and their effects may be irreversible, e.g. loss of hearing. Some may even appear years after the time of employment, e.g. asbestosis. For more information try our fully online Asbestos Awareness course.

Specific Health Hazards

Physical damage from noise, heat and radiation, e.g. hand arm vibration syndrome by machine operators using vibrating machinery such as strimmers, soil compactors and drills. For more information try our fully online Workplace Safety course.
Chemical problems from harmful dust, liquids and/or fumes, e.g. dermatitis causing severe irritation and cracking of the skin in occupations such as cleaners or hairdressers. For more information try our fully online Chemical Safety course.
Ergonomic problems from poorly designed work areas, e.g. work-related upper limb disorders, back pain or repetitive strain suffered by keyboard operators and tool operators. For more information try our fully online VDU/DSE course and Manual Handling Awareness course.
Biological hazards from infectious diseases and agents, e.g. hepatitis caused by needle stick injuries to hospital staff. For more information try our fully online Infection Prevention and Control course.

General Health Hazards

As well as specific health hazards there are some general things that may affect all workplaces:

Smoking

Smoking and passive smoking have been linked to lung cancer, irritation to the respiratory system and other harmful effects. The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004 (No. 6 of 2004) placed a ban on smoking at all enclosed places of work from 29/03/04 to protect persons at work from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. This includes office blocks, aircraft, trains, company vehicles, health premises, schools, colleges, cinemas, theatres, licensed premises and clubs, if any of these places is your place of work. The smoking ban also applies to common areas within buildings. This means, for example, that corridors, lobby areas and reception areas of buildings such as apartment blocks and hotels are also covered. For more information, please consult Citizens Information service. In addition, try our fully online Workplace Safety course.

Alcohol

Alcohol increases the time it takes to react to situations, affects behaviour and reduces performance. For more information try our fully online Behavioral Safety course.

Drugs

Substance abuse may cause health problems and can cause safety hazards in the workplace. Many drugs are particularly dangerous because they cause mood changes and alter people’s perceptions. Even prescribed drugs may have a detrimental effect. As with alcohol, the condition must be addressed. For more information try our fully online Behavioral Safety course.

Violence

Verbal abuse, threats, bullying or assault can cause stress and concern as well as physical injury. Staff should be encouraged to report all occurrences to their supervisors who should record and objectively investigate the details and if necessary report to the relevant authority. For more information try our fully online Bullying Awareness course.

Stress

A large percentage of sick leave is due to stress, either due to personal reasons or the physical or emotional pressure of the job. Stomach and skin conditions, heart disease and depression have been linked to stress. Factors influencing stress in the workplace include poor working conditions, overwork, job insecurity, peer pressure including harassment, unrealistic targets and poor management.

Employees should be encouraged to report stress and management should be trained to recognise the symptoms and causes of stress such as inability or reduced ability to cope with normal tasks and situations, increased sick leave and/or poor time-keeping. For more information try our fully online Workplace Stress Awareness course.

It is very important to have an effective occupational health management system in place. There are sound economic reasons for reducing work-related accidents and ill-health, as well as ethical and regulatory reasons. Businesses that manage safety and health successfully invariably have a positive safety culture. 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.

For online Health and Safety training solutions, please check our Online Health and Safety Training portal.

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 Hazards

Workplace hazards are anything even remotely that has the potential to cause harm to a person.

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 an employer is required to carry out risk assessments, prepare a safety statement and implement what it contains. Health and Safety Authority inspectors visiting workplaces will want to know how safety and health is being managed. If they investigate an accident, they will scrutinise the risk assessments, safety statement, and the procedures as well as the work practices.

The Purpose of the Risk Assessment

The Risk Assessment should identify all workplace hazards, quantify the risks and introduce control measures to reduce the risk of injury or illness to the workforce. Some additional legislation also requires employers to conduct specific risk assessment for specific common hazards such as manual handling, hazardous substances, display screen equipment and fire safety.

What is Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is simply put a careful examination of workplace hazards and what could cause harm to people. This is so you can consider whether you have taken enough precautions or should you do more to prevent harm. Risk Assessment will help identify what could go wrong, how likely it is to happen and how serious the result could be. The employer then needs to put control measures in place to prevent the problem occurring.

What are Hazard and Risk

Hazard and Risk have two quite distinct meanings.

Hazard – means something that has the potential to cause harm or damage.
Risk – means the likelihood of the harm or damage being realised. The risk is a combination of chance (or likelihood) and severity, and how likely is that something is going to happen.

For example, a bottle of bleach at work falls under category of workplace hazards. If the bottle contains hazardous liquid, bur locked in the cupboard it does little harm. The risk increases when the bottle is used. When people are working safely there is less chance that an accident will occur.

Chance is a measure of how likely it is that an accident could happen.

Severity is a measure of how serious an injury or health effect could be, as a consequence of unsafe working or of an accident. The severity can be influenced by the following:
• the environment,
• the number of people at risk, and
• the steps already taken to control the hazard.

Five Steps of a Risk Assessment

Generally speaking, identifying and managing risks can be done in five steps:

1. Identify the Workplace Hazards

For example:

Slips and Trips – consider floor surfaces, housekeeping and different floor levels.

Working at Height – e.g. decorations using ladders and construction workers on scaffolding.

Fire Hazards – e.g. flammable substances and sources of ignition.

Moving Vehicles – e.g. forklift trucks and reversing lorries.

Dust – such as wood dust in a sawmill or flour in a bakery.

Hot Liquids – e.g. pans of hot water or oil in a kitchen.

2. Decide on who may be harmed and how

It is not just person conducting the task that may be affected but anyone nearby. For example, builders working on scaffolding above a public walkway may inure pedestrians if equipment or materials are dropped. Some employees will need a separate Risk Assessment, e.g. those who are more vulnerable, such as pregnant workers and young, inexperienced staff.

3. Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions

Consider the consequences of injury or harm. Could someone be seriously inured or even killed? Could lots of people be affected. How likely is it to occur? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then these hazards should be addressed as a priority and further controls put in place to reduce the risk to an acceptable level, using the hierarchy of control (see below).

4. Record your significant findings and implement them

It is a legal requirement that businesses formally record their significant findings. It is important not only to implement the controls you identified, making sure staff are trained in the new procedures, but to check to make sure they are followed correctly. Some health and Safety training can be delivered on-line. For solutions, please check our Online Health and Safety Training portal myelearnsafety.com

5. Review and update Risk Assessments as necessary

Reviews should take place when:

Procedures are revised.
Workplace layout is reorganised.
New machinery is installed.
An accident or near miss occurs.
The law changes.

Reviews should also take place on a regular basis, possibly annually, just to make sure nothing has been missed and to identify new techniques or scientific developments that could be introduced to improve safety.

Hierarchy of Control

When considering control measures there is a scale of preference. the higher up the chart, the better or more preferable the method. Some measures will work for some tasks or activities and some for others, but not all will be suitable.

The following is a hierarchy of controls:

1. Eliminate.

If something is hazardous, the most effective option is to remove the hazard altogether if possible.

2. Substitute.

If hazard cannot be eliminated, can it be substituted for something safer?

3. Implement Engineering Controls.

For example;

Equipment – using work equipment as a preventive measure, e.g. to prevent falls from height.
Guards – placing or replacing guarding controls.
Insulation – an excellent method of noise control.
Ventilation – removing hazardous dust and fumes from the workplace using additional machinery if necessary.
Maintenance – making sure all equipment is well serviced and maintained.

4. Administrative Controls.

Procedures needed to work safely, e.g. limiting the amount of time the worker is exposed to a hazard, increasing safety signage, conducting risk assessments.

5. personal protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment or clothing provided to protect an employee against risks to their health and safety. Must only be used once all other measures have been tried and found unsuitable.

Some hazards are obvious, such as unguarded moving parts of machinery, dangerous fumes, electricity, working at heights, moving vehicles or moving heavy loads. Less obvious, but at the root of many accidents, are hazards presented by untidy workplaces and poor maintenance. In the case of other hazards, such as excessive noise or exposure to chemicals, it may take months or even years before ill health materialises.

When deciding on the controls, you should consider the general principles of prevention. These are a hierarchy of controls that set out how to manage hazards. The focus should be to get rid of the hazard, so that people are protected. If this is not possible then you should work through the principles until you have made it as safe as reasonably practicable. Your reliance on personal protective equipment (PPE) should be one of the last steps in the process (not the first).

Always consider give training and instruction. Once you have assessed the risks and decided on your controls in line with the principles above, you will need to tell your employees about them and to make sure that they are competent to comply with them.

A Guide to Risk Assessments and Safety Statements

A guide to Risk Assessment and Safety Statements is a very useful publication by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA), national body in Ireland responsible for the enforcement of workplace health and safety law, the implementation of a number of chemicals regulations, and accreditation. The information contained in the Guide can help an employer or self-employed person to manage safety and health in their workplace(s) by preparing risk assessments and a safety statement.

For online health and Safety training solutions, please check our Online Health and Safety Training portal.

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