Safety Tips for Transportation Companies

We at My Elearn Safety are always looking to share valuable information with our followers. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has a publication on Workplace Transport Safety Management.

Workplace Transport Safety Management

What is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people as a result of a work activity. It allows you to take precautions to prevent harm occurring. What’s involved in conducting a risk assessment? There are five key steps to a risk assessment:

1. Look at the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should be done
4. Record your findings
5. Review your assessment on a regular basis at predetermined intervals as part of the safety management procedures

What should the Workplace Transport Safety Management System include?

Vehicle safety in the workplace must be competently managed. The size and form of the management system will vary depending on the size of the operation – however it should address the following:

1. Definition of the policy and rules for the management of vehicles at the workplace and identification of responsible person for managing vehicle safety.
2. How to carry out and record risk assessments – this means writing down the most significant hazards, identifying who is at risk and listing the safety precautions which should be in place.
3. Determine the training needs of workforce and the preventative maintenance program required for ensuring ongoing workplace vehicle safety. Any changes to vehicles, workplace or personnel which might have implications for the safety of the system must be allowed for.
4. Employees who may be affected must be kept fully informed of the system and of any changes to it.
5. Details of how acceptable standards for workplace vehicle safety are achieved and should also be included in the site specific Safety Statement.

What areas need to be considered?

The Workplace Layout of the place of work;

• Are vehicles and pedestrians kept safely apart?
• Are there suitable walkways for pedestrians?
• Are there suitable parking areas for all parking needs?
• Do the vehicle routes avoid sharp or blind bends?
• Is there scope for introducing a one-way system on vehicle routes within the workplace to reduce the risk of collisions?
• Are the lighting arrangements adequate both inside and outside?
• Where loading bays are longer than the width of five vehicles are appropriate numbers of exits or safe refuge points in place?

Suitability of traffic routes;

• Are they wide enough?
• Are they well constructed and maintained?
• Are they free from obstructions and other hazards?

Suitability / provision of safety features;

• Are roadways marked where necessary e.g. to indicate the right of way at road junctions?
• Is there a need for direction signs, speed limit signs, and, where applicable, signs such as ‘Give Way’, ‘No Entry’ etc.?
• Is there a need for features such as fixed mirrors to provide greater vision at blind bends, road humps to reduce vehicle-speeds, or barriers to keep vehicles and pedestrians apart?
• Is there adequate warning at the interface of the site with public areas?

The publication goes on to include:

• Vehicles
• Employee Selection, Training & Supervision
• Loading & Unloading Operations
• Legislation

….. Continue reading publication here.

Check out our Transport and Tourism sector specific online Safety Courses here.

Hospitality – Lets Talk Reputation

Lets Talk Reputation

A food business reputation can mean the difference between a packed house or a slow Friday night with empty tables and no one on the waitlist. All food business need to ask them selves, how much does their reputation truly weight in the eyes of the consumers and does it really impact the decision of going or not going to a restaurant? According to this Small Business Trends report survey, 94% of diners will choose your restaurant based on online reviews. Bad reviews can spread like wildfire, especially in this digital age.

This is a trend that isn’t likely to go away any time soon, if ever. Another study conducted by TripAdvisor revealed the same information, that the vast majority of diners consider online reviews before choosing a restaurant. The market is highly competitive nowadays.

Trip Advisor report

This report also revealed that more consumers than ever use and trust online review sites and social media for recommendations on where to eat – both at home and while traveling. Tripadvisor’s latest survey examines the impact of today’s most popular digital marketing channels and what factors influence diner decision making.

Closures

In April of this year, the FSAI closed down 6 premises in Monkstown and Booterstown for breaches of food safety legislation. This was announced by several news outlets including this Irish Times article and the Journal. This information will forever be on the internet , it will be difficult to restore their reputation.

Avoiding closures should be top priority for food businesses, one way to make sure you are compliant is to make sure your staff are up to date with courses under legalisation. From these courses your staff will know what is expected by law and the best practices for health and safety over a wide variety of topics.

Responding

Do you respond to your reviews? Responding to both positive and negative diner reviews can help you improve your restaurant’s service and reputation which will ultimately attract new customers to your business.

In fact, up to 94% of respondents to this survey indicated that they have read a Management Response to reviews, with the majority noting that they found it helpful and that it encouraged them to try a restaurant, despite a bad review as they saw the management taking constructive feedback on board and showing that they care about their customers and are always striving to improve themselves.

Let Us Help You

It has never been more important to make sure you are compliant with legislation. Let us help you. Not sure what you need to be compliant? We can help you with a FREE Training Needs Assessment.

New Course Packages

At the request of our clients, we have created Food Safety course packages at a cost savings if you bought them separately.

1. Food Safety (HACCP) 1 & Food Safety (HACCP) 2  Save €17 

2. Food Safety (HACCP) 1 & Management of Food Allergens Save €10

3. Food Safety (HACCP) 2 & Management of Food Allergens Save €11

4. Food Safety (HACCP) 1 & 2 & Management of Food Allergens Save €29

First Aid in Hospitality

We at My Elearn Safety are always looking to share valuable information with our followers. The people over at Research Gate have written a great publication on First Aid Responsibilities for Hotels and Resorts. ResearchGate is the professional network for scientists and researchers. Over 15 million members from all over the world use it to share, discover, and discuss research.

First Aid – Implications for Hotels and Resorts

Like other workplaces, hotels and resorts have health and safety duties in relation to first aid under the new code, which provides:

“A person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary duty under the
WHS Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers
persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or
undertaking.”

The WHS Regulations place specific obligations on a person conducting a business or under- taking in relation to first aid, including requirements to:

• Provide first aid equipment and ensure each worker at the workplace has access to the equipment
• Ensure access to facilities for the administration of first aid
• Ensure that an adequate number of workers are trained to administer this aid at the workplace or that workers have access to an adequate number of other people who have been trained to administer first aid.

While the focus of the new Code is on protecting workers and ensuring workplaces are safe, compliance also offers a wide safety net for visitors and guests. Indeed, in planning first aid resources the Code specifically recommends consideration of other people at the workplace who are not workers, for example, students in workplaces such as schools, members of the public in places of entertainment, fairgrounds and shopping centres.

The publication goes on to include:

• Example lawsuits
• Changing Status of First Aid and the Law

Continue reading publication here.

Have a look at our course here.

Look After your Construction Workers Health and Time

Do you have workers or are a worker yourself exposed to Chemicals, Silica Dust or Asbestos? It is the responsibility of the employer to make sure workers are protected and are informed of the best practices on how to work safely in a safe environment.

How to educate your employees

Doing a course is the easiest and most practical way to make sure your employees are educated. However taking a course can be expensive and time consuming for both the employer managing it and the employees taking the courses.

That is why many construction companies around Ireland have opted for Online Safety Training as a solution. Online training is a cost effective alternative to traditional class based learning. Courses can be taken with in a few hours of study time with 24/7 accessibility which your employees will prefer.

Below we have listed the most common health risks for workers in construction.

Construction Workers Health

Silica Dust

What is Silica Dust and route of exposer?

Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite, and many other minerals. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. Cristobalite and tridymite are two other forms of crystalline silica. All three forms may become respirable size particles when workers chip, cut, drill, or grind objects that contain crystalline silica. Inhalation is the primary route which can penetrate deep into the lung

Legislation

The respirable fraction of the dust is invisibly fine and the OELV for Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is 0.1mg/m3 averaged over 8 hours, as set down in the HSA Chemical Agents Code of Practice under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2001. A risk assessment under these regulations is required where exposures to RCS can occur. The Safety, Health And Welfare At Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 S.I. No. 36 of 2016 contains a Prohibition on silica – Regulation 128 “An employer shall ensure that no sand or other substance containing free silica is introduced as an abrasive into any blasting apparatus. Source – HSA

Health effects

Did you know that Silica Dust has been classified as a human lung carcinogen? Additionally, breathing Silica Dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal. When Silica Dust is inhaled, it enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, thus reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen which causes many issues including silicosis. Since silicosis affects lung function, it makes one more susceptible to lung infections like tuberculosis.

See Course overview here – Silica Dust Awareness 

Asbestos

What is Asbestos and route of exposer?

Asbestos a mineral that exists naturally in a fibrous form, what makes it so dangerous is that it is resistant to heat, water, chemicals and electricity. There are many products that have asbestos in them including; fireproof coatings, concrete and cement, bricks, pipes, gaskets, insulation, drywall, flooring, roofing, joint compound, paints and sealants. Asbestos also exists in electrical appliances, plastics, rubber, mattresses, flowerpots, lawn furniture, hats and gloves. Working with asbestos products puts your health at risk.

Legislation

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006) , aim to protect the health and safety of all employees who may be exposed to dust from asbestos containing materials, during the course of their work activities. The regulations apply to all work activities and workplaces where there is a risk of people inhaling asbestos dust. Source – HSA

Health effects

Asbestos is a Category 1 carcinogen and all six types can cause cancer. Blue and brown asbestos are known to be more dangerous than white asbestos. There is no cure for asbestos-related disease. Following exposure to asbestos, a person may develop one of the following three fatal diseases: Asbestosis: fibres penetrating deep into the lung causing scarring of the tissue. Asbestos-related lung cancer and Mesothelioma, a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs.

See Course overview here – Asbestos Awareness 

Chemical safety in Construction

What is Chemical Safety in Construction and route of exposer?

Chemical safety is an important consideration on construction sites. There are also many hazards that may not be obvious, but they can still present a health hazard if they aren’t handled properly. Some of the most common chemicals that workers are exposed to include: Zinc, Cadmium, Beryllium and Mercury. There is a wide range of expose including, contact with the skin, inhalation and ingestion and injection.

Legislation

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The Code of Practice contains the following elements: – Schedule 1 to this Code of Practice stipulates the OELVs, which are currently legally binding under the Chemical Agent Regulations. – Schedule 2 to this Code of Practice provides a list of substances which are under review by the Health and Safety Authority. – Schedule 3 contains a Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number index of all substances included in the Code of Practice.  Source – HSA

Health effects

As there are a vast amount of different types of chemicals used and each have their own health effects it’s not possible to list them however what we can say is that exposure, especially prolonged exposure is very dangerous to your health. Some chemicals may also have physical chemical hazards, e.g. flammable, explosive or have additional hazards if they are mixed or stored with incompatible chemicals. Chemicals can also have an adverse effect on the environment if they are used, stored or disposed of incorrectly.

See Course overview here – Chemical Safety

FM Ireland Conference – Shane Lynam Guest Speaker

FM Ireland

FM Ireland incorporates Health & Safety Ireland and Fire Safety Ireland. It is your opportunity to see and hear the latest in New Ideas, New Technologies, Best Practice, Products, Services, Suppliers and Solutions. These can help deliver safe and secure working environments that are cost effective, and which add value to an organisation.

As well as needing to be up to date with the latest relevant legislation (whether that be related to Health & Safety, Cleaning, Fire Safety, Working at Height, etc…) a modern Facility Manager with their team also have to address issues including Staff Well Being and creating an effective Work Space, which improves the well being of staff, this can have a direct impact on illness and staff retention.

As well as addressing all these issues the FM Ireland Conference will also look at how new technologies will impact the role of the Facilities Manager and the delivery of services. Whether that be drones to clean buildings and windows, autonomous robots designed to cut grass or clean floors, smart buildings and IOT delivering information on how the work space interacts with employees and occupants.

Source – FM Ireland 

Shane Lynam

Children First Legislation

We at Elearn are always looking to share valuable information with our followers.  The Department of Children and Youth affairs have written a very informative piece on the Childrens First Legislation, which is the Childrens First Act 2015, this act provides for a number of key child protection measures.

Children First Legislation

The Children First Act 2015 (the Act), which was signed into law on 19 November 2015, puts elements of the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory footing. The legislation was a key Programme for Government commitment, and forms part of a suite of child protection legislation which includes the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts, 2012-2016 and the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

The Act provides for a number of key child protection measures, as follows:

•    A requirement on organisations providing services to children to keep children safe from harm and to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement;
•    A requirement on defined categories of persons (mandated persons) to report child protection concerns over a defined threshold to the Child and Family Agency;
•    A requirement on mandated persons to assist the Child and Family Agency in the assessment of a child protection risk, if requested to do so by the Agency;
•    Putting the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group on a statutory footing.

The Act also includes a provision which abolished the common law defence of reasonable chastisement in relation to corporal punishment… Continue reading 

Safety Representatives – Why do you need them and what do they do?

Why do you need a Safety Representatives?

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005

It applies to all employers, employees (including fixed-term and temporary employees) and self-employed people in their workplaces. The Act sets out the rights and obligations of both employers and employees and provides for substantial fines and penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation.

Section 25

Under Section 25 of the 2005 Act, all employees are entitled to select a safety representative to represent them on safety and health matters with their employer.

Section 26

Section 26 of this Act requires the employer to consult with employees to ensure cooperation with preventing accidents and ill health and in turn the workers can consult with their employer. Section 26 sets out the arrangements for this consultation on a range of safety and health issues.

Where a safety committee is already in existence, it can be used for this consultation process.

Regulation 23

Under Regulation 23 of the Construction Regulations where more than 20 persons are employed at any one time on a construction site, the project supervisor for the construction stage must facilitate the appointment of a safety representative.

Source – HSA.ie

What does a Safety Representative do?

Representative

Now you have assigned the role of the Safety officer, they are now representations on behalf of their members to their employer on any health and safety matter. The representative also represents their members in consultations with health and safety executive inspectors or other enforcing authorities.

Inspections

Safety representatives, after giving notice to the employer, have the right to inspect the whole or part of a workplace that they represent at a schedule agreed between them and the employer, based on the nature and extent of the hazards. A safety representative also has the right to inspect immediately where an accident or dangerous occurrence has taken place, or where there is an imminent danger or risk to the safety, health and welfare of any person. The frequency of these inspections depends on a number of factors:

• Changes to the building or layout
• The nature of work activities
• The nature of work locations
• Size of the workplace

Safety Representatives should be given learning resources and from that they will be able to ascertain the frequency of these inspections. If you are having difficulty with providing learning resources to your appointed Safety Representatives we have developed an Office Safety Package that can be tailored to your companies needs, we can also provide a bespoke package for you, just get in contact by emailing info@elearn.ie  or calling us on +353 1 693 1421.

Other responsibilities

• Recommendations – Make recommendations to the employer on safety, health and welfare at the place of work
• WorkPlace Accidents – The employer may request the Safety Representative be present when the inspector interviews an employee about an accident or dangerous occurrence that took place.
• Inspector – The Safety Representative may be asked to accompany an inspector carrying out an inspection under Section 64 of the 2005 Act, other than the investigation of an accident or dangerous occurrence, although this may be allowed at the discretion of the inspector.

If you have any further questions about Safety Representatives please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.

Is your Workplace Ready for an Emergency?

How to prepare for an emergency in your workplace

All workplaces should be prepared to deal with an emergency of any nature, at any time. 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. This 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:

1. 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. Also 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Health and Safety Implications of Having Dogs in the Workplace

Dogs in the workplace

Until recently, bringing your four-legged, furry pal to work was unheard of. For the most part, it still is. However, some employers are exploring the benefits of allowing employees to bring their dogs in the workplace. For dog lovers, it’s a dream come true. For those who dislike dogs, it’s a nuisance. And, for employers concerned with health and safety in the workplace, allowing dogs at work represents a massive grey area and a bit of a safety conundrum. For those of you reading this at work, with Oscar at your feet, don’t worry! There are ways to make sure that having dogs at work doesn’t negatively impact health and safety.

The Benefits of Having Dogs in the Workplace

The impact on morale of having a cute dog in the workplace is usually quite noticeable. It is said to decrease stress. As well, dogs have a positive impact on employee interactions and socialisation. They create a common ground on which important connections can be built. Allowing workers to bring dogs to work can even increase productivity!

The Impact of Having Dogs at Work on Health and Safety

Some employers are exploring allowing employees to bring dogs to work as a way to strengthen their image, increase retention, and reduce stress. However, among employers who do not allow dogs at work, health and safety concerns were the most oft-cited reason. Below are some common health and safety concerns regarding having dogs in the workplace:

1. Distractions

While dogs are known to improve social interactions, they may instigate too many conversations, distracting workers from the task at hand. Employees may wander around to visit the dogs, spend too much time playing or engaging with them, or take multiple breaks to take their own or a co-worker’s dog outside.

2. Sanitation Concerns

Dogs can be hairy, and most breeds shed. That means a lot of hair around the office. Dogs are also prone to fleas and various canine illnesses, which may be transmitted to workers. And of course, the big one: while the majority of dogs are well-trained to do their business where and when appropriate, accidents do happen. In the event of an accidental misuse of the office rug, a biohazard would be created and have to be dealt with properly.

3. Allergies and Phobias

Who doesn’t love to share the office space with a co-worker’s beloved black lab? Anyone with an allergy or a phobia, that’s who. Some people have allergies so severe, that even having the dog in another department that shares airflow can be problematic. As well, dog phobias need to be recognized and respected. Anyone with a severe phobia who has to deal with a dog at work is at risk for psychosocial hazards.

4. Slip, Trip, and Fall and Bite Hazards

All dogs are not created equal. Some are big, some are small, and some fall in-between. What they share is that when they’re lying at your feet, or in a high-traffic area, they become trip hazards. Trips and falls can cause serious injuries, and the dog may even be injured. Another serious hazard to humans to consider is biting. Even the best temperamental animal may bite if he feels threatened. A lot of people crowding around a dog that is not used to it may cause the dog to act out in ways that are not typical, including biting. Bites can be very serious because of both the trauma inflicted and the bacteria from the dog’s mouth that gets transferred to the wound.

5. Property Damage

Most dogs are very good boys! But sometimes, even good boys get into mischief. Unfortunately, it could result in property damage. Chewing, toileting, digging, clawing, or sometimes even excessive hair to clean up, are all taxing on the physical facility, and have the potential to cause damage. Repairs may be costly, and cleaning staff may add a surcharge for additional clean-up as required.

6. Liabilities

If your workplace serves the public, allowing dogs in the workplace opens the employer to many liabilities, especially if a dog injures a customer.

Every Dog Has its Day

If you want to explore the benefits of allowing employees to bring dogs to work, it is definitely possible to do so safely. Before making any major decisions, consider the nature of your workplace and whether it is appropriate for an animal. From there, consider a policy for bringing dogs to work that includes the following elements:

• A statement that dogs must be properly trained.
• Requirement for up-to-date vaccines.
• A clause that makes owners responsible for damage repair or cleans up if an incident occurs.
• As a courtesy, workers wishing to bring a dog to work should seek the permission of their co-workers. Find out ahead of time if there’s an allergy or phobia concern.
• Consider the use of a sign-up system to ensure that not everyone brings dogs to work on the same day, and certainly do not allow any dogs with aggression towards people or other dogs.
• Your policy may also include a process for dealing with troubled dogs.

Whatever you decide, having it written in a policy is a great way of ensuring that all of your employees dogs and employees on in agreement and happy in their work environment.

If you want to know more about risk assessment or safety training at work, Contact us by phone +353 1 278 1938 or email info@elearn.ie or take one of our Online Safety Courses,  enrol today and do it at your own pace.