health and welfare Archives

Workers’ Memorial Day

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

workers-memorial-day

The Grim Statistics

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

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

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

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

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

Non-Fatal Injuries Reported to the HSA

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

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

Workplace Accidents

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

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

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

The Purpose of Workers’ Memorial Day

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

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

Workers’ Memorial Day 2024

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

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

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

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

Online Health and Safety Training

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

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

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

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

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

eLearn Online Health and Safety Training

Reasons for Promoting Workplace Safety

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

Four Main Reasons for Promoting Workplace Safety

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

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

Health and Safety Legislation

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

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

Achieving Workplace Safety

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

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

Online Health and Safety Training

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

eLearn Online Health and Safety Training

Work Related Stress and Mindfulness

Work related stress and mindfulness are those workplace topics that are very often overlooked by both employers and employees. However, employers have a duty under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to protect all employees from hazards which can lead to injury.

Work Related Stress

It is believed that a significant work downtime is due to sick leave brought by work related stress. This may be due to various personal reasons, or the physical and emotional challenges of the job. Work related stress, however, is not only this invisible ‘illness’. Stress can manifest itself by causing stomach and skin conditions, heart disease and depression.

There are a number of factors that can influence stress in the workplace. Some of these factors include poor working conditions, overwork, job insecurity, personal reasons (such as ‘imposter syndrome‘), peer pressure (such as harassment), unrealistic targets, lack of leadership (not knowing what to do) and poor management.

Identifying Work Related Stress

No person is exactly the same and stress will affect people differently. There are a number of factors which may affect how an employee will cope with stress. Some of the examples are employee skills and experience, age and disability, etc. Employees should be encouraged to report stress and management should be trained to recognise the causes and symptoms. By talking to employees, an employer can identify the signs of stress, and importantly they can prevent and reduce workplace related stress.

Mindfulness

Prevention is one of the most important steps of any successful risk management. One of the ways to prevent stress is raising awareness about work related stress. For this purpose eLearn Safety has designed and developed a number of relevant fully online courses. For example, the Workplace Stress course is designed to suit a diverse range of workplaces. It deals with topics such as how to define workplace stress, which safety legislation applies to it, how to identify common causes of workplace stress and stress management.

Another beneficial course is a fully online Working Safely course. Working Safely is a 2 hour online course for people at any level, in any sector, that will boost business performance and staff motivation. Simply by showing how everyone can enhance their safety, health and wellbeing through everyday behaviours. The topics include importance of working safely, definitions of hazards and risks, common workplace hazards and how to improve safety performance.

Additional Resources

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has a number of useful resources that can be used in managing work related stress. One of these resources is WorkpositiveCI. WorkpositiveCI has been developed by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), State Claims Agency (SCA) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Network Ireland. It is a free, easy to use, innovative, confidential, psychosocial risk management process that provides feedback on workplace stress, employee psychological wellbeing and critical incident exposure in the workplace. It is designed to deliver structured guidance enabling organisations to develop an action plan to mitigate against these stressors.

In addition, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published a number of useful guidance, publications and resources on workplace stress.

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

eLearn Online Health and Safety Training

Ergonomics in the Workplace

Ergonomics is the study of working interactions between humans and machines/workstations and the factors that affect those interactions. Stemming from the Greek words ‘ergo’ & ‘nomus’ (workflow) it is in simple terms ‘fitting’ the job to the person as opposed to fitting the person to the job.

Origins of the Ergonomics

Ergonomic practitioners draw upon a number of different disciplines. Some of these are ‘biomechanics’ (the study of human movement and the associated laws) and ‘anthropometry’ (the study of human measurements). These disciplines assist ergonomic practitioners in identifying ergonomic risk factors.

Importance of Ergonomics in the Workplace

Failure to apply the principles of ergonomics within the workplace i.e., a busy office environment or warehouse can result in chronic or acute musculoskeletal injuries. If left unchecked can result in functional limitations. Employees working in such environments are also susceptible to RSI ‘repetitive strain injuries’ and WRULD ‘work related upper limb disorders’.

When designing workstations ergonomic considerations are of significant importance. An ergonomic risk assessment can help to identify issues with existing workstations. However prior to conducting a risk assessment a task analysis should be conducted. A task analysis is conducted in order to get an appreciation of an employee’s daily routine. A task analysis will highlight current or potential issues for the employee, time spent at the work station, breaks, and shift work. All these should all be taken into consideration. In addition, biomechanics and anthropometrics will also play a part at this point.

Ergonomic Tools

Ergonomic practitioners can utilize a number of tools in order to assist them in rating the risks accordingly:

Rapid employee body assessment (REBA) tool.
Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) tool.
Assessment of repetitive tasks (ART) tool.

In addition, eLearn Safety offers a full online VDU/DSE course. This course is fully online and can be taken 24/7. On completion of this VDU training course, participants will be provided with the information necessary to ensure current legislation is complied, risk assessments are carried out and all employees are competent to adjust their work stations to provide a safe place to work in.

Furthermore, a task analysis will help to identify if an employer is compliant with current legislation under the SHWW Act 2005. An office employees’ display screen is in essence a visual display unit. Therefore an employer must adhere to the guidance document within the general application regulations pertaining to VDU’s and display screen equipment.

Ergonomics in the Workplace Recommendations

Where office workers should be afforded the option to conduct his/her work both in the seated and standing position, employers must ensure chairs and VDU’s have the ability to be adjusted to suit all employees and consider frequent breaks and job rotation where practicable. Employers should also promote good working practices. For example, encouraging staff to make recommendations based on their working environments. If working in a warehouse or on a manufacturing line, workers should use appropriate equipment. A proper equipment will aid them in their jobs. Some of the examples are foot stools, foot rests, anti-glare eye protection, etc.

Employers should always be cognizant of the fact that ‘one shoe does not fit all’ when it comes to ergonomic assessments. For example a tall employee may feel cramped in a small area whereas a short employee may be uncomfortable if constantly reaching for items or if their feet are not supported when sitting.

Thus, structuring the working environment in order to suit the user is a step away from Taylors’ method of ‘scientific management’. Such a method, regardless of body shape and size or indeed the work being undertaken, was standardized across the board and the worker had to adapt him/herself to the factory conditions or face the prospect of dismissal and future injuries as a result.

Ergonomics Assessments

Ergonomic assessments are not difficult to undertake, and when carried out effectively can help to reduce the risk of ergonomic injuries and pain. In turn, this will help to motivate employees, allowing them to be more productive and happier in the working environment. Employers should always be aware of their responsibilities to their employees under the SHAWW Act and take the necessary steps to create risk free working environments where possible. Employees must also be aware of their rights and support any safety initiatives the employer wishes to implement, as the saying goes, ‘the rising tide floats every boat’.

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

Working in Confined Spaces

Working in confined spaces is a high risk working environment.

What does it mean Working in Confined Space

Any significantly enclosed space where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances, lack of oxygen or other dangerous conditions is classed as a confined space. Confined spaces with small openings such as silos, drains, sewers and storage tanks are fairly obvious. Others are not. Ductwork, vats, open-topped chambers may be less obvious.

Before Working in Confined Space Commence

Before working in confined space commences, certain steps should be taken. All hazards present must be identified and the risks assessed. This information should then be used to determine what precautions are needed and safety procedures developed (including emergency rescue).

Confined Space Entry

If working in confined spaces can be avoided – it should be avoided.

According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2001, Regulation 5 states that:

A person shall not carry out work in Confined Spaces if it is reasonably practicable that it could be avoided.

If the work must be carried out Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to the work commencing.

A person shall not enter a confined space unless there is a system of work in place that has been planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to render that work safe and without risk to health.

Anyone entering a confined space must be provided with appropriate information, training and instruction appropriate to the particular characteristics of the proposed work activities.

Questions to Ask

Before working in confined space commence, the following should be considered:

If someone is working in a confined space, think about the following:

If a worker gets overcome by fumes how will anyone know this is happening?
Once workers become overcome by fumes how can they be rescued?

Always:

Make sure you are fully aware of all the risks associated with working in confined space!
Make sure that the person performing work in confined space is competent (capable and trained) to work in confined spaces and in use of emergency equipment.

Never:

Work in confined spaces if it can be avoided.
Let unskilled people engage in confined space work.
Let anyone enter confined space unless sure it is safe to do so.
NEVER ignore risks associated with working in confined space.

Useful Resources

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has a very useful info page titled Working in Confined Spaces. This page covers some of the most frequently asked questions about working in confined spaces.

In addition, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive info page titled Introduction to working in confined spaces can provide additional very useful information about working in confined spaces.

Tragic Example

As The Irish Times reported; on June 10th, 2015 brothers Alan (45) and Stephen Harris (32) were overcome by fumes while working in an underground sewer at Drumnigh Woods, Portmarnock, Co Dublin. They were taken from the sewer and taken to hospital but unfortunately died of hypoxia due to toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide.

The brothers were wearing wader boots and rain jackets and Stephen Harris was wearing a dust mask.

A toxic gas incident that claimed the lives of two brothers almost killed a fireman attempting to rescue them.

How It Could Have Been Avoided

Health and Safety Authority inspector Frank Kerins said the job required specialist equipment in accordance with confined space regulations, including a gas detector and breathing apparatus.

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

Bullying in the Workplace

Bullying in the workplace is a serious moral, ethical and a legal issue.

According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA), bullying in the workplace can be defined as:

“… repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could be reasonably regarded as undermining the individual’s right to dignity at work…”

Occupational Health

Occupational health is the promotion and maintenance of not only physical well-being of all staff but also mental wellbeing. Bullying at work impacts performance and productivity at work as well as a person’s mental wellbeing. The best way of dealing with bullying in the workplace is prevention. Bullying can have serious negative effects for all those involved. This might include not only the person being bullied, but also the person being accused of bullying. It is important to distinguish bullying from other inappropriate situations or appropriate workplace engagement.

Examples of Bullying in the Workplace

Behaviour which makes for a bullying in the workplace pattern will likely include not just one but a range of the following behaviours:

Exclusion with negative consequences.
Verbal abuse/insults.
Being treated less favourably than colleagues in similar roles.
Belittling a person’s opinion.
Disseminating malicious rumours, gossip or innuendo.
Socially excluding or isolating a person within the work sphere.
Intrusion – pestering, spying or stalking.
Intimidation/aggressive interactions.
Excessive monitoring of work.
Withholding information necessary for proper performance of a person’s job.
Repeatedly manipulating a person’s job content and targets.
Blaming a person for things beyond their control.
Use of aggressive and obscene language.
Other menacing behaviour.

What is not Bullying in the Workplace

Bullying does not include (non-exhaustive list):

expressing differences of opinion strongly,
offering constructive feedback, guidance, or advice about work-related behaviour which is not of itself welcome, ordinary performance management,
reasonable corrective action taken by an employer or supervisor relating to the management and direction of employees (for example managing a worker’s performance, taking reasonable disciplinary actions, or assigning work), or
workplace conflict where people disagree with or disregard the others’ point of view.

Bullying in the Workplace – Stress and Violence

Bullying in the workplace can quickly escalate, introducing other unwanted hazards such as general stress that can lead to alcohol and drugs abuse and violence.

A large percentage of sick leave is due to stress. 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.

Violence abuse, threats, bullying or assault can cause stress and concern as well as a physical injury. Staff should be encouraged to report all occurrences to their supervisors who should record and investigate the details and if necessary report to the relevant authorities.

Preventing and Dealing with the Bullying at the Workplace

eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Bullying Awareness course. Bullying Awareness course is for all employees. It provides practical steps and conscientious guidance to help prevent, identify and confidently confront bullying and harassment at work.

If you feel you are being bullied at the workplace, the HSA has a useful information page What to do if You Feel You are Being Bullied. Additional useful resource is Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work.

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

Pressure and Gas at Work

Pressure and gas at work from a mains supply can be very dangerous. Gas from mains is an explosive hazard if not used correctly. In addition, poorly maintained systems can cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to make sure anyone employed to work on gas appliances is a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). According to Gas Networks Ireland:

“A Registered Gas Installer is an installer or service engineer who has completed the required gas installation safety training, who has the necessary insurance to carry out gas installations to the legal standard and who is registered with the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland.”

You should never use an unregistered gas installer to carry out work on your gas appliances, such as gas boilers, no matter how seemingly convenient or tempting it may be. Not even if this unregistered engineer is Daniel O’Donnell.

Even if it’s Daniel – Registered Gas Installers 30 second TVC. Run time 30s.

Pressure Systems

A pressure vessel is a container that holds a liquid or gas under pressure. A pressure system is one or more such vessels including associated pipework. Examples of pressure systems include compressed air systems, boilers, steam heating systems and autoclaves. If a pressure system fails during operation it can kill or injure people in the area. In addition, a significant damage to the property can happen due to impact from the blast, debris from the explosion and fire from escaping flammable gases or liquids.

Gas Cylinders

Gas cylinders can cause the same injuries as pressure vessels should the cylinder fail or be damaged. In addition, they can cause manual handling injuries from lifting and carrying heavy cylinders and crush injuries should cylinders fail.

Basic handling precautions include:

Securing cylinders upright so they do not fall.
Keeping cylinders away from fire.
Making sure cylinders are not dropped or banged.
Moving larger cylinders with a special hand truck rather than dragging or rolling them.
Always checking the identity of the gas before using it.

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has a useful information page about gas titled Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage.

General Pressure and Gas at Work Controls

General controls when pressure and gas at work are in question include:

Regular maintenance and correct repair from a competent person.
Safe systems of work.
Training and supervision.

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

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

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

True Cost of Poor Workplace Safety

True cost of poor workplace safety can be significant and very harmful to everyone interacting with the business with poorly managed Health and Safety. It can be a reason for significant business costs. More importantly, it can have distressing human costs.

Implementing and managing Health and Safety procedures in the workplace is not an optional addon to regular business activity. It is a legal requirement. It is also a moral and ethical obligation. Excuses, such as ‘health and safety is not necessary in our case’, ‘it’s just bureaucracy and unnecessary paperwork’ and ‘we don’t need it – we know what we are doing’ are not acceptable. All workplaces should strive to achieve a workplace which is a safe workplace as much as it is feasible. All work related injuries should be brought as close to zero as possible.

It is sometimes that employees themselves approach Health and Safety procedures lightly. Even if warned about dangers, they might abandon correct Health and Safety procedures to ‘speed up’ or avoid doing ‘extra work’. This is often guided by the misconception that they will be able ‘to see’ if anything dangerous starts developing and adjust themselves to avoid disaster’ – which is almost never true. In fact, danger started to develop the moment Health and Safety policies were ignored.

The Ultimate Price of Poor Workplace Safety

There is no such a thing as ‘light’ work-related injury. All injuries can take a heavy toll to everyone involved. Unfortunately, some injuries could be fatal. Sadly, this is the ultimate true cost of poor workplace safety.

In 2022 there were 26 workplace related fatalities in Ireland. 26 people left their home, their families never to return home. You can read more about Workplace Fatalities from 2017 to 2022 in our blog entry from 30th June 2023 Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Workplace accidents and their prevention are key priorities of anyone at work. This is not only true for employers but employees as well. You can read more about Workplace Accidents and Their Prevention in our blog entry Health and Safety in the Workplace from 21st April 2023.

From the PRESS

The following contains few of countless examples that demonstrate true cost of poor workplace safety:

Man, 20s, dies in Carlow road tragedy after reportedly falling from truck

A man in his 20s has died following a road traffic accident in Carlow when he reportedly fell from a truck.

The tragic incident took place in the College Green area of Carlow town on 16th August 2023 at 1:30pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the man’s death to determine the exact cause.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told The Irish Mirror: “It’s reported that a male in his 20s received fatal injuries after falling from a truck during the course of his work.

Taken from The Independent.

Male worker, 26, dies after suffering ‘severe head injuries’ in ‘heavy machinery incident’ at construction site of Everton’s new stadium – the football club says everyone is ‘heartbroken’ by the death as investigation is launched (UK)

A 26-year-old construction worker has died after suffering ‘severe head injuries’ in an incident at site of Everton’s new stadium.

First responders were called to the site at Bramley Moore Dock around 12.32pm on 14th August 2023 following a ‘major incident’ that allegedly involved heavy machinery.

The worker was rushed to hospital but despite medics’ best efforts, he died.

Construction company Laing O’Rourke confirmed to MailOnline the man was carrying out work at the time of his death as Everton FC described the news as ‘heartbreaking’.

Investigators with Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remain at the scene as they ‘continue with the early stages of the investigation’.

Workers from the site at Bramley Moore Dock said they were informed of the incident and then asked to leave the area, but couldn’t share more details, The Liverpool Echo reported.

Local reports indicate the incident involved heavy machinery and the 26-year-old suffered head injuries.

Taken from The Guardian.

Farm Safety Week 2020 – Elizabeth’s story

Elizabeth Ormiston, a beef farmer from Co. Cavan suffered a farm accident in 2009 that resulted in her being placed in an induced coma. This is her story.

Farm Safety Week 2020 – Elizabeth’s story (YouTube Link). Run time 2m 19s.

Managing Health and Safety in the Workplace

The role of the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has an important role as they ensure that over 2 million workers (employed and self-employed) and those affected by work activity are protected from work related injury and ill-health. The Health and Safety Authority strategic priorities are to:

Regulate: Increase focus on compliance through risk based inspection and enforcement.
Promote: Support, educate and raise awareness to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health.
Accredit: Grow the national accreditation service to enable and support enterprises and public services.
Influence: Partner and collaborate in support of healthy, safe and productive lives and enterprises.

All workplaces, from one-person farms to multinationals with thousands of employees must implement Health and Safety procedures guided by legislation and best work practices.

The HSA exists to assist and support achieving a safe workplace. This support is available to employers and employees equally.

Don’t Become a Statistic!

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