Safety Award Winners 2013 - NISO · January/February 2014 and feedback in the form of a spidergraph...

AUTUMN 2013

NISO is a not-for-profit voluntary body,dedicated to the promotion of health

and safety in Irish workplaces

INSIDE

CONSTRUCTIONREGULATIONS

REACH: SECURING YOURSUPPLY CHAIN

Safety Award Winners 2013

NISO PresidentReflects on 2013Conference and Safety Awards

The National Irish SafetyOrganisation’s (NISO) 50thannual conference and safetyawards presentation, held on4 October, was anoverwhelming success. Aspresident of the organisationin its 50th year, it was aprivilege to oversee and havebeen part of this great event.

The conference entitledSafety 50 and Beyondreflected on the role thatNISO has played inpromoting occupationalsafety, health and welfare inthe workplace and included apanel of both national andinternational speakers whoreflected on the past anddiscussed the future of healthand safety. I would like tothank both delegates andspeakers who all contributedto the success of theconference.

Safety awardsThe All Ireland SafetyAwards Presentation galadinner followed theconference. The success andpopularity of this event wasreflected by the numbers inattendance and the venueaccommodated its maximumcapacity. Well done to all whosupported this great eventthat showcases theachievements of variousorganisations within the fieldof health and safety. Theawards were co-presented byLucinda Creighton, T.D.;Priscilla Woods, NorthernIreland Safety Group (NISG);Dermot Carey, Construction

Industry Federation; ConorLoughran, NIFAST andPauric Corrigan, NISOpresident.

This year saw theintroduction of the new goldaward, silver award andbronze award. As announcedin 2012, platinum awards,which are awarded to theprevious year’s supremeaward winner, will be phasedout by the year 2015. Affectedorganisations are those whohave won the Supreme Awardfrom 2012 on.

I would like to congratulateGE Healthcare who receivedthe supreme award, ColdChon (Galway) Ltd.(Chemoran) who received thegold award, Helsinn BirexPharmaceuticals whoreceived the silver award andRoad Maintenance ServicesLtd. who received the bronzeaward.

I also extend my sincerecongratulations to all therecipients of awards and yourgoal should be to achieve oneof the above awards in theyears ahead. Please do shareyour success in your place ofwork as this is an award thatreflects on the whole of theorganisation.

I would also like tocongratulate RoseConstruction on winning theNISO Small / Sub ContractorSafety Innovation Award2013 in association with theConstruction Safety

Partnership. Congratulationsalso to Deirdre Rooney ofBristol Myers SquibbCruiserath on winning theNISO Safety Representativeof the Year Award 2013 inassociation with Nifast.

I would also like toacknowledge and thank theaward adjudicators for theexcellent work that they doevery year.

WorkshopsOver the past number ofyears, many initiatives suchas the awards workshops andfeedback have beenintroduced to alloworganisations establish areasfor improvement in theirsubmissions. The workshopsare being scheduled again forJanuary/February 2014 andfeedback in the form of aspidergraph will be presentedto organisations at this time.

As president, on behalf ofNISO, fellow officers,executive committeemembers, NISG and staff athead office, I would like toextend my sincere thanks toall who helped in thesuccessful running of ourconference and All IrelandSafety Awards 2013. My wishis that this great event, theAll Ireland Safety Awards,will still be presenting awardsin 2063 when it celebrates its100th year.

IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial/President’s Message .................2

NISO/National News..........3-4

FEATURES

Construction Regulations.......5

Safety Award Winners 2013...............................................6

FORUM

Helen Hourihane, HSA, writes on the thousands of businesses that are benefiting from BeSMART.ie...............................10

Joanne Harmon, HSA, writes about the secondhealthcare competition aimed at nursing andmidwifery students.........10-11

REACH: Securing Your Supply Chain ............................12

A Good All Rounder ...............13

Helpline...............................14-15

National Irish SafetyOrganisation Events Diary..............................16

Visit www.niso.ie todownload previouscopies of the NISOUpdate!

EDITORIAL

2 NISO UPDATE! AUTUMN 2013

NISO Update! is issuedby the National IrishSafety Organisation(NISO).

Material printed in NISO Update!is not necessarily endorsed by theNational Irish SafetyOrganisation.

Editorial enquiries to: The Editor,NISO, A11 Calmount Park,Calmount Avenue, Ballymount,Dublin 12. Tel: 01 465 9760 Fax: 01 465 9765 Email: [email protected]

Design & Print: Print Bureau Tel: 01 4733 567www.printbureau.ie

Pauric Corrigan, president, National Irish Safety Organisation

NEWS

NISO UPDATE! AUTUMN 2013 3

Behaviour Based SafetyGuide

This guide introduces theconcept of a ‘total safetyculture’ and defines thisculture as one in which: • individuals hold safety as

a value and not just apriority,

• individuals takeresponsibility for thesafety of their co-workersin addition to themselves,and

• all levels of employees arewilling and able to act ontheir sense of responsibility.

The guide outlines eight stepsthat contribute to a totalsafety culture, with strongmanagement commitmentand open communicationbeing key requirements. Theguide also outlines what isinvolved in a behaviour-basedsafety programme andprovides useful tips onsuccessfully implementingthe programme.

2012 Survey of ChemicalUsage in Irish Workplaces The 2012 Survey ofChemical Usage in IrishWorkplaces was conductedin follow up to a chemicalusage survey carried out in2007. The aim of the 2012survey was to examinewhether awareness ofchemical legislation andmanagement has increasedover the past five years and,if so, to assess how this

knowledge has improved.The survey reveals that 66%of Irish SMEs are aware ofthe REACH Regulation andunderstand their role in thesupply chain, with 68%indicating awareness of theCLP Regulation and the newpictograms and hazardstatements on labels.

Guide for Contractors andProject Supervisors -Carrying out ConstructionWork on Private DomesticDwellings

The guide outlines new andadditional duties oncontractors and projectsupervisors under the newSafety, Health and Welfare atWork (Construction)Regulations 2013. The guidealso includes a safety andhealth plan template for useon a domestic project. Thetemplate is designed to becompleted by the PSDP on apreliminary basis andfurther developed by thePSCS for the constructionstage.

Guide for Homeowners -Getting Construction WorkDone SafelyUnder the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work(Construction) Regulations2013, a client is a person forwhom a construction projectis carried out. This nowincludes a person havingconstruction work carriedout on their own home.

This guide tells homeownerswhat they need to know anddo when having constructionwork carried out in theirhome. The duties of a clientare outlined as well as thehomeowner’s responsibilityto determine thecompetency of personscarrying out paidconstruction work in theirhome.

Asbestos ACM Guidelines

These guidelines aim toprevent occupational illnessfrom exposure to respirableasbestos fibres. Theguidelines provide practical

advice to employers andthose in control ofworkplaces on the necessaryprecautions to preventexposure to asbestos fibresor, where this is notreasonably practicable, toreduce exposure to asbestosfibres.

Although aimed atcontrolling exposure toasbestos in the workplace,the guidelines are veryrelevant to homeowners.Asbestos was used in variousdomestic constructionmaterials, applications andappliances between the1950s and 1990s. Suchmaterials and appliancesinclude thermal insulation,roofing materials, internalceiling panels, floorproducts, water pipes andmore.

The guide is comprehensiveand divided into 18 sectionsand six appendices. It dealswith the risks and healtheffects of asbestos, the law,management of ACMs,asbestos surveys, training,PPE, the role of theindependent competentanalyst, health surveillance,notification to the HSA andmanagement and disposal ofACMs.

All listed publications fromthe Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) areavailable to download fomthe HSA website:www.hsa.ie.

HSA Publications

BEHAVIOUR BASEDSAFETY GUIDE

DOING WHAT WE DOBETTER, SMARTER, SAFER

Getting Construction Work Done SafelyGuide for Homeowners

New responsibilities for homeowners under Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013

Asbestos-containingMaterials (ACMs) in

Workplaces

Practical Guidelines onACM Management and

Abatement

Carrying out Construction Work on Private Domestic Dwellings

Guide for Contractorsand Project Supervisors

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013

2012 Survey of Chemical Usage in Irish Workplaces Final report 4/30/2013

NEWS


Chemical Safety Alert forLaundry LiquidTablets/Capsules/PodsChildren who are exposed tothe chemicals in ‘laundryliquid tablets/capsules/pods’are at risk of injury. Thesecapsules dissolve quicklywhen in contact with water,wet hands, or saliva. Alreadychildren have requiredhospitalisation for vomiting,drowsiness, throat swelling,and difficulty breathingfollowing ingestion of thecapsule contents. While eyecontact with the contentsfrom ruptured capsules hasalso resulted in medicaltreatment for severeirritation and ocular burns.

Consumers are strongly urgedto always handle laundrycapsules carefully and withdry hands. Parents andcaregivers should lock awaythese ‘laundry liquidtablets/capsules/pods’ and likeall cleaning products keepthem away from children.

Safety Notice ConcerningEquestrian HelmetsGerman manufacturer Uvexhave issued a safety noticeconcerning ‘exxential(formerly uvision)’, ‘uvisionelegance’ or ‘supersonicelegance’ equestrian helmets.In May 2013, the Swedishconsumer agency,Konsumentverket, tested 11riding helmets from various

manufacturers and 10 helmetsreceived complaints. One ofthese helmets is a Uvex helmet.

Due to this test result, Uvexhave subjected their helmetsto in-house testing anddetermined that some helmetsdo not conform to standardsrelated to penetrationresistance and/or shockabsorption. In the case of anaccident this may result ininjuries. As a result, Uvex areasking consumers to returnthe helmet to the dealer wherethey purchased the helmet.

For further information onthese alerts, visit the Healthand Safety Authoritywebsite: www.hsa.ie.

HSA Safety Alerts

This year’s European SafetyWeek takes place the weekbeginning October 21.

Every year more than 5,000people lose their lives in theEU as a result of accidents inthe workplace according toEurostat. A great many ofthese lives could be saved andmany thousands of otherinjuries prevented if riskswere anticipated and sensible

safety measuresimplemented.

The 2012-13 ‘WorkingTogether for Risk Prevention’campaign focuses on: • managing risks,• encouraging top managers

to actively engage in riskreduction, and

• encouraging workers andtheir representatives to

work with managers toreduce risks.

For further information onEuropean Safety Week andto download resources, visitthe Health and SafetyAuthority website:www.hsa.ie and thedesignated campaignwebsite: www.healthy-workplaces.eu/en/

European Safety Week 2013

One StopShop ForYourBusinessA FREEuniqueevent,designedto helpsmall andstart-up businessesunderstand and benefitfrom the services providedby State offices andagencies, will take place inDublin Castle on 22October.

Coordinated by ‘TakingCare of Business’, aservice initiative of theHealth and SafetyAuthority (HSA), theevent will include shortpresentations andopportunities fordelegates to getinformation from nineteenState offices and agencies.A number of smallbusiness representativebodies will also be inattendance.

The FREE event will takeplace at the PrintworksConference Centre,Dublin Castle on Tuesday22 October 2013 from08:30 hrs to 14:30 hrs. Forfurther information or tobook a place at the event,please visit the HSAwebsite: www.hsa.ie.


FEATURE

Construction RegulationsFollowing the series of NISO seminars on the new constructionregulations 2013, Brian O’Connor, health and safety specialist atNISO, summarises and clarifies the new regulations.

The Safety, Health andWelfare at Work(Construction) Regulations2013 came into effect on 1August. The new regulationsreplace and revoke theSafety, Health and Welfareat Work (Construction)Regulations 2006 andsubsequent amendmentregulations.

The major change effected bythe new regulations is theinclusion of domestic homes.Under the 2013 regulations, aclient is a person for whom aconstruction project iscarried out, which nowincludes a person havingconstruction work carriedout on their own home. Thismeans that a homeownermust fulfill the role of theclient, which includes:• appointing competent

persons to carry out theconstruction work,

• appointing projectsupervisors for the designprocess and for theconstruction stage wherenecessary,

• keeping a safety file, and• sending notification of the

works to the Health andSafety Authority wherenecessary.

Domestic clientsClients on domestic dwellingprojects do not have tosupply a health and safetyplan to a person beingconsidered or tendering forthe role of project supervisorfor the construction stage.

The new regulations takeinto account that allhomeowners may not befully aware of their duties as

clients. As a result, in thecase of domestic typeprojects, there are duties ondesigners and contractors toinform the client of theirduties.

Project supervisors, designersor contractors appointed inrelation to construction workon a domestic dwelling (notin the furtherance of abusiness, trade orundertaking) must alsodemonstrate to the client thatthey are competent and haveallocated or will allocateadequate resources to enablethem to perform their dutiessafely and can manage therisks to their employees andto the homeowner and theirfamily.

Project supervisorsCriteria exempting theappointment of projectsupervisors have beenexpanded for clients. In thenew regulations, theappointment of projectsupervisors does not applyunless the construction work:(a) involves a particular risk,(b) involves more than one

contractor, or (c) is planned to last longer

than 30 working days orthe volume of work isscheduled to exceed 500person days.

Previous to the newregulations, the aboveexemptions only applied toroutine maintenance,cleaning, decoration andrepair within or to astructure.

Administration burdenThe new regulations havealso reduced the

administration burden inareas of record keeping andprovision of relevant sectionsof contractors safetystatement. Previously in theconstruction regulations2006, a contractor had toprovide the projectsupervisor with anyinformation, including acopy of the safety statement,which is likely to affect thesafety, health or welfare ofany person at work on theconstruction site. Now,under the new regulations,contractors need onlyprovide site specificinformation, including anyrelevant extract from theirsafety statement.

There are also modificationsin terms of record keepingfor project supervisors.While the project supervisordesign process (PSDP) muststill keep the safety andhealth plan available forinspection by an inspectorfor the duration of theproject, the requirement tokeep it for a period of fiveyears after its preparationhas been dropped. Similar tothe PSDP, the requirement onthe project supervisorconstruction stage to keep

records for five years afterpreparation has also beendropped.

The Safety, Health andWelfare at Work(Construction) Regulations2013 can be downloadedfrom the Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) website:www.hsa.ie.

The HSA have also publishedguidance documents forhomeowners, contractorsand project supervisors. TheGuide for Homeowners –Getting Construction WorkDone Safely and Guide forContractors and ProjectSupervisors – Carrying outConstruction Work onPrivate Domestic Dwellingscan be downloaded from theHSA website: www.hsa.ie.

Brian O’Connor, health and safetyspecialist, National Irish SafetyOrganisation

Seminar: NEW ConstructionRegulations 2013Sligo on 22 October, 14:00hrs – 16:30hrs.Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel

Dublin on 24 October, 14:00hrs – 16:30hrs.Venue: Red Cow Moran Hotel

Information and bookings at www.niso.ie

FEATURE


Safety Award Winners 2013The National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) wish to congratulate allorganisations who received a Safety Award this year for their achievements in thearea of health and safety.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods, NISGchairperson; Neil O'Carroll, Phillips 66 Whitegate RefineryLtd.; Aileen Hartigan, EHS specialist, GE Healthcare; PauricCorrigan, NISO president

GE Healthcare was presented with the highest honour, the Supreme Safety Award.

The winner of the Supreme Safety Award is anorganisation that shows consistency in safetyperformance over a number of years, and anoutstanding contribution to occupational health andsafety throughout the current year.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods, NISG chairperson; LiamHenry, director, Cold Chon Galway Ltd (Chemoran); Pauric Corrigan, NISOpresident

Cold Chon Galway Ltd (Chemoran)winner of the Gold Award.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods, NISG chairperson; TómasHopkins, EHS manager, Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals; Pauric Corrigan,NISO president

Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals winnerof the Silver Award.


FEATURE

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods,NISG chairperson; Ger Darcy, Mayor of NorthTipperary; Pauric Corrigan, NISO president

North Tipperary Fire & RescueService, winner of the President’sAward New Entrant.

Rose Construction Ltd., winner of the NISOSmall / Sub Contractor Safety InnovationAward 2013 in association with ConstructionSafety Partnership.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods,NISG chairperson; Aoife Conway, EHS manager,Abbott Ireland Diagnostics Division Sligo; PauricCorrigan, NISO president

Abbott Ireland Diagnostics DivisionSligo, winner of the President’sAward Large Size Organisation.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods,NISG chairperson; Willie Ryan, SHEQ director,Sierra Support Services Group; Pauric Corrigan,NISO president

Sierra Support Services Group,winner of the President's AwardConstruction.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods,NISG chairperson; Brendan O'Driscoll, EHSmanager, TLI Group.; Pauric Corrigan, NISOpresident

TLI Group, winner of the President'sAward Medium Size Organisation.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods,NISG chairperson; Paul McGoldrick, operationsmanager, Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd., Sligo;Pauric Corrigan, NISO president

Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd., Sligowinner of the President's AwardSmall Size Organisation.

L to R - Lucinda Creighton, T.D.; Priscilla Woods, NISG chairperson; TomWalsh, director, Road Maintenance Services Ltd.; Pauric Corrigan, NISOpresident

Road Maintenance Services Ltd. winnerof the Bronze Award.

L to R - Pauric Corrigan, NISO president; Deirdre Rooney, Bristol-MyersSquibb Cruiserath; Priscilla Woods, NISG chairperson; Lucinda Creighton,T.D.; Conor Loughran, Nifast

Deirdre Rooney, Bristol-Myers Squibb Cruiserath,winner of the NISO Safety Representative of theYear Award 2013 in association with Nifast.

L to R - Pauric Corrigan, NISO president; SimonReddy, director, Rose Construction Ltd.; PriscillaWoods, NISG chairperson; Lucinda Creighton, T.D.;Dermot Carey, Construction Safety Partnership


FEATURE - SAFETY AWARD WINNERS 2013

Organisation Award High Achiever

GE Healthcare Supreme Award ✓Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd. Gold Award ✓(Chemoran)

Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Silver Award ✓Road Maintenance Services Ltd. Bronze Award

Pfizer, Little Island President's AwardChemical / Pharmaceutical

Sierra Support Services Group President's Award ✓Construction

Abbott Ireland Diagnostics President's Award ✓Division Sligo Large Size

Organisation

TLI Group President's Award Medium Size Organisation

Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd., Sligo President's AwardSmall Size Organisation

North Tipperary Fire & Rescue President's AwardService New Entrant

MSD Brinny Platinum Award

Masonite Ireland Platinum Award

Medtronic Medical Devices Award

Diageo Baileys Global Supply, Food / Drink Award Dublin

Sky Handling Partner Ltd. Transport / Distribution / Storage Award

PWA International Mechanical Engineering /Assembly Award

Xerox Technology Manufacturing Award ✓Bon Secours Hospital Galway Medical Services Award (Joint)

Bon Secours Hospital Cork Medical Services Award (Joint)

Schrader Electronics Ltd. Electronic / ElectricalManufacturing /Assembly Award

EirGrid Group Utilities Provider Award

Dalkia Ireland Facilities Management and Services Award

RehabCare Voluntary, Social and Community Award

Clare Local Authorities Local Authority Award

Commission for Public Service AwardCommunicationsRegulation (ComReg)


K Leisure Sport / Leisure Award

Univar Ireland Ltd. Chemical / Pharmaceutical:Speciality Chemicals Award

Bristol-Myers Squibb Cruiserath Chemical / Pharmaceutical:Pharmaceuticals [APIs] Award

Allergan Pharmaceutical Chemical / ✓Pharmaceutical:Pharmaceuticals [Fill Finish] Award

Veolia Water Ireland Construction:Utility Services Award

John Graham Construction Ltd. Construction:Industrial / Commercial Award

PM Group Construction: Consulting ✓Engineers Award

Intel FAB 14 Conversion Construction:Project Team Building Services Award

Roadbridge Construction: Civil ✓Engineering Award

Northstone Materials Construction: Quarrying/ ✓Concrete Product Manufacturing Award

Designer Group Engineering High Achiever & Distinction ✓Contractors

Lagan Construction Ltd. Overall Regional/Northern Ireland Award

H&J Martin Ltd. Northern Ireland Award

Lake Region Medical Limited Regional Award (South East)

Kirby Group Engineering Ltd. Regional Award (Mid West)

Kilcawley Construction Regional Award (North West)

Alkermes Pharma Ireland Ltd. Regional Award (Midlands)

Cork City Council Regional Award (South)

Walsh Mechanical Engineering Regional Award (West) Limited

Obelisk Group Regional Award (North East)

GMC Utilities Group Ltd. Regional Award (East)

Boston Scientific Galway Best New Entry: Large Size Organisation Award

Flynn Management & Best New Entry:Contractors Medium Size Organisation

Award

Rockmount Vehicle Best New Entry: SmallMaintenance Ltd. Sized Organisation Award


FEATURE


BAM Building Ltd. Distinction

Shannon Foynes Port Company Distinction

Fingal County Council Distinction

St Joseph's Private Hospital Sligo Distinction

BAM Civil Ltd. Distinction

John Paul Construction Distinction

L & M Keating Ltd. Distinction

Serco Services Ireland Distinction

Mardyke Arena, UCC Distinction

O'Connor Sutton Cronin Distinction

KTL Distinction

AbbVie Sligo Distinction

Coffey Water Ltd. Distinction

Mercury Engineering Distinction

Aurivo Co-operative Society Distinction Limited

Acacia Facilities Management Ltd. Distinction

John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd. Distinction

Jones Engineering Group Distinction

Irwin Electrical Services Ltd. Distinction

Winthrop Engineering Ltd. Distinction

Central Bank of Ireland Distinction

Galway County Council Distinction

L. Lynch & Co Ltd. Distinction

EMR Integrated Solutions Distinction

Belfast Health and Social Care Distinction Trust

William & Henry Alexander Distinction(Civil Engineering) Limited

Secto Services Ltd. Distinction

Covidien Distinction

Diageo Baileys Global Supply, DistinctionMallusk

Lake Region Medical DistinctionInternational Research and Development Centre

Merit Medical Ireland Ltd. Distinction

Montupet (UK) Ltd. Distinction

Bon Secours Hospital Dublin Highly Commended

ARAMARK Food Services Highly Commended


Monaghan Mushrooms Highly Commended

ISS Facility Services Highly Commended

JCDecaux Ireland Highly Commended

Adman Civil Projects Ltd. Highly Commended

Walls Construction Ltd. Highly Commended

Denis Moriarty The Kerries Ltd. Highly Commended

Cagney Contract Cleaning Highly Commended

Dornan Engineering Ltd. Highly Commended

King & Moffatt Group Highly Commended

Element Six Ltd. Highly Commended

Richard Nolan Civil Highly Commended Engineering Ltd.

P & D Lydon Highly Commended

M J Conroy Construction Highly Commended

Dairygold Quality Feeds Highly Commended

Commscope EMEA Ltd. Highly Commended

Roankabin Manufacturing Ltd. Highly Commended

Skyline Scaffolding Ltd. Highly Commended

MSL Engineering Ltd. Highly Commended

Irish Bulk Liquid Storage Ltd. Highly Commended

Honeywell Transportation Highly Commended Ireland Limited

Mythen Construction Ltd. Highly Commended

Towercom Ltd. Commended

Office Depot Commended

Hertel Ireland Ltd. Commended

KN Network Services Commended

Griffin Bros Contracting Ltd. Commended

John Cradock Ltd. Commended

LloydsPharmacy Commended

Maveric Contractors Commended

Morrison Mainline Ltd. Commended

SF Recognition

Elga Process Water Recognition

Awards allocated within categories are in random order

FORUM - HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY


BeSMART.ie has put healthand safety management ateveryone’s fingertips. Thiseasy to use online riskassessment and safetystatement tool is benefitingthousands of employers andemployees since itsdevelopment and launch in2011 as part of the Healthand Safety Authority’s (HSA)‘Taking Care of Business’initiative. More than 15,000businesses have usedBeSMART.ie to generate asafety statement and manymore have visited the site as asource of health and safetyinformation.

Risk assessment, thefoundation of any effective

health and safetymanagement system, is thecore element of BeSMART.ie.The information provided onthe website, while extensive,is practical and written inplain language and isavailable 24 hours a day andcompletely free of charge.BeSMART.ie saves businessesvaluable time as the hardwork has already been done,allowing the user to accessand apply the informationimmediately. With thenumber of business typescovered continuing toincrease (there will be over200 by the end of 2013) andthe reduced potential foraccidents and lower costs forbusinesses, the rate at which

BeSMART.ie has grown isnot surprising.

Small BusinessesThe numbers usingBeSMART.ie suggest thatmore small businesses areengaging and complyingthan ever before. It remainsto be seen if reducedworkplace accidents andincidents will be achieved butthe overwhelming positivefeedback received wouldsuggest that employers andemployees are alreadybenefiting. Increasedawareness and betterstandards will lead toimproved staff morale andmotivation and reduced costsassociated with accidents

and absenteeism. Even inthese difficult times, it is awin:win for everyone andleads us closer to our aim forsafer and healthierworkplaces for all.

Queries on BeSMART.ie, the‘Taking Care of Business’initiative, or any workplacehealth and safety relatedmatter, should be directed tothe HSA’s contact centre at1890 289 389 or visit:www.BeSMART.ie

Helen Hourihane of the HSA ‘Taking Care ofBusiness’ team, writes on the thousands ofbusinesses that are benefiting from BeSMART.ie

The Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) hasannounced details of itssecond ‘Occupational Safetyand Health in Healthcare’competition aimed at thirdand fourth year nursing andmidwifery undergraduates.The aim of the competitionis to provide an environmentwhere undergraduate nursingstudents can collaborate andwork together to enhance,develop and embed theirknowledge andunderstanding of

occupational health andsafety in a healthcare setting.This year, the competitionhas been extended to includemidwifery and all fields ofnursing.

Undergraduate nursing andmidwifery degreeprogrammes have been inplace since 2002 for nursing(general, psychiatric andintellectual disabilitynursing) and 2006 formidwifery and integratedchildren and general

programmes. Thirteen highereducation institutes deliver44 undergraduate degreeprogrammes in partnershipwith 57 main healthcareagencies. This presents asignificant opportunity toinfluence the nursingcurriculum around safetyand health learningoutcomes.

The briefThe healthcare competitionuses problem-based learningto address key learning

Joanne Harmon, education manager with theHealth and Safety Authority, writes about thesecond healthcare competition aimed at nursingand midwifery students

Joanne Harmon, education manager,HSA


FORUM - HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY

outcomes aroundoccupational health andsafety. The brief is builtaround a scenario in whichstudent teams of threemembers must work togetherto come up with solutions tothe challenges posed in arealistic clinical setting.Teams will make a writtensubmission to the HSA andfollowing that, finalist teamswill be short-listed andinvited to make a shortpresentation and interviewbefore a judging panel. Thisyear’s brief focuses on healthand safety managementsystems in clinical settings.

In the inaugural competitionheld during the 2012-2013academic year, teams ofstudents from Athlone ITbattled it out to win first andsecond place, with a teamfrom Dundalk IT takingthird place. The three topteams received certificates fortheir achievement and won

iPADs and cash prizes as anadded incentive. All teamsreceived feedback on theirsubmissions, in order toenhance the learningexperience for both studentand lecturers.

The Authority’s focus onnursing undergraduatesstems from the fact that theHealthcare sector is one ofthe largest employers inIreland, employing 13% ofour workforce (about240,000 people). Nurses arethe main occupational groupin this sector. Furthermore,the healthcare sector reportsa significantly high numberof work-related accidentsand incidents to the HSA.The highest number ofreported incidents year onyear are related to manualhandling work activities(including patient-handling)followed by slips, trips andfalls and work-relatedviolence and aggression.

While the nursing andmidwifery role has changedsignificantly over recentyears, higher education isresponding to this changedrole and training futurenurses in line with healthcarepriorities and service deliveryin order to enhance thequality of care and outcomesfor patients. Occupationalsafety and health must alsobe prioritised in the learningoutcomes set out forundergraduate nurses incurriculum.

Patient-centred approachIn caring professions, thefocus is on a patient-centredapproach; in doing so it isimportant to ensure that thehealth and safety of staff isnot overlooked.Occupational safety andhealth must be managed inclinical settings in order toensure that nurses cancontinue to work in a safeenvironment. There are legal

obligations on employers andemployees in this regard. Asafe working environmentfacilitates nursingprofessionals to provideoptimum care and benefitsboth patient and carer.

In the 2013-2014‘Occupational Safety andHealth in Healthcare’competition, teams from allinstitutions of highereducation running nursingprogrammes will take part.Information on thecompetition brief and entrydeadlines can be viewed onthe HSA website:www.hsa.ie/eng/Education/Healthcare_Competition_2013-2014/

Final team interviews will beheld at a Dublin venue inJanuary 2014 and winnerswill be announced that day.


From June 2007, REACH impacted all industrial and businesssectors in Ireland. The REACH regulations are European regulationsaimed at controlling and organising the manufacturing anddistribution of harmful substances.

FORUM - IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION

REACH: Securing Your Supply Chain

Initially the focus of REACHwas those who manufactureand import chemicals andsubstances in order that theycan be registered andevaluated. For mostemployers the impact wastherefore relatively small,outside of ensuring that theirsuppliers had registered thesubstances they use.

AuthorisationHowever, REACH is now atthe authorisation stage andwith that comes a number ofimportant deadlines. From2013, components you use inoperations andmanufacturing could beaffected by REACHregulations to the pointwhere they may no longer beavailable. In short, it is likelythat availability, price andtechnical characteristics ofsome of your componentsand even critical components

will change significantly inthe short and long term.

In June 2013, IBECpublished REACH: SecuringYour Supply Chain, a guidewhich will help employersevaluate the extent that theauthorisation issue mayaffect their business and totake steps to ensure that theysecure their supply chain andoperations as authorisationis rolled out.

Substances that arecarcinogenic, mutagenic orharmful to reproduction,persistent, bioaccumlative,very persistent and verybioaccumulative will have tobe authorised for use.Industries such as theautomotive, electronic,computer, furniture, whitegoods, etc. will probably findseveral componentsimpacted by the

authorisation process underREACH and may find supplychain restrictions in the verynear future. Previously theregulations may have beenconsidered exclusive to thefield of health and safety andthe chemical andpharmaceutical industry,however, that impact hasshifted to directly affectingoperations, manufacturingand procurement.

ECHACurrently, the EuropeanChemicals Agency (ECHA)has a candidate list of over130 substances that may, atsome point, requireemployers to seek specificauthorisation to use them. Ifauthorisation for use is notgranted by a set deadline,then that substance cannotbe used for that process.

This presents a major issuefor all employers and not justthose in the chemical orpharmaceutical industry.More importantly, it willimpact the availability, costand technical characteristicsof both substances andarticles used in themanufacturing ofcomponents and will impactall businesses in the supplychain.

RegisterEven if the identifiedsubstance is used in smallquantities as part of aspecific process to

manufacture a componentthat is then purchased andassembled into a largerproduct, if that substancehas not been registered forthat use and if there is noalternative substance, thenemployers will no longer beable to buy that component.If that component is businesscritical, then this presents asignificant businesscontinuity issue.

The recently publishedguide, REACH: SecuringYour Supply Chain, containsa step-by-step guide detailinghow you can secure yoursupply chain against thelikely impact of theseregulations. The guide alsoincludes a list of substanceson the authorisation list andtheir symptomatic uses,which shall aid the reader indetermining if their businessand its practices are affectedby these regulations.REACH:Securing YourSupply Chaincan bedownloadfrom theIBEC website:www.ibec.ie.

Carl Anders, health and safetyexecutive, IBEC

FORUM - INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH


I mentioned in my lastarticle that with over 1,700Institution of OccupationalSafety and Health (IOSH)professionals in Ireland, weshould all be commendedand valued for the work wedo each day. After all, we areall part of a bigger globalfamily whose vision is a‘world of work which issafe, healthy andsustainable’.

Over the years at countlessIOSH networking events, Ihave discussed with manyIOSH members the job weall do. In the vast majorityof these conversations I haveseen a commondenominator: we havemany ‘hats’ to wear – from,for example, trusted adviserto the chief executive officer,

to the counsellor in thecanteen.

We need to have a diverserange of skills to deal withthe issues our line of workthrows at us. It is probablysomething we all take forgranted, but perhaps weshould reflect on thededication it takes to holdthese skills.

CultureWe need to work with theculture of an organisationand, in some instances, wemust influence and shapehow that establishmentthinks about the importanceof safety. In addition, asindividuals, we must go all-out to better ourselves, bycompleting our ongoingcontinual professional

development and adding tothe skill-set we keep primedto use when the situationarises.

At times I have becomeconscious that this adds toour daily workload, but I dothink it is very importantthat when we look in themirror we see a self-possessed ‘all-rounder’staring back. Rememberthat we are part of aconsiderable network ofOSH practitioners, not onlyworldwide, but also withinIreland where there aremany extremely active IOSHcommittees organisingevents.

Consequently, we ought toall try and attend some ofthe approaching IOSH

events this year and next.These events are all availableto view at the IOSH website:www.iosh.ie. They are afantastic opportunity tointeract with our colleagues.Furthermore, we might allfind we are able to take ourmany ‘hats’ off, unwind andshare some commonground. Now that can’t bebad, can it?

A Good All RounderHave you heard the saying “he or she is a good ‘all-rounder’?”Well, maybe as occupational safety and health (OSH)practitioners, we should all take a long, hard look in the mirrorand you will see that description fits each and every one of usto a tee.

Michelle Peate-Morgan, chair, IOSHIreland

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities

are availableFor further information, please contact

Ted O’Keeffe [email protected] phone 01 465 9760


HELPLINE

Help on consultants, bullying andworkstation assessmentsBrian O’Connor answers members’ queries.

QUESTION 1I am the manager of a smallbusiness and need our safetystatement updated. We donot have the resourcesavailable to employ a full-time health and safetyofficer, so we tend tocontract out any health andsafety work that needs to becarried out. My question ishow can I make sure that Iam bringing in a qualifiedand suitable person to carryout this work?

ANSWER 1When appointing aconsultant to carry out work,you must ensure that theperson you are appointing iscompetent to carry out thetask. As per the SafetyHealth and Welfare at WorkAct 2005, ‘a person is deemedto be a competent personwhere, having regard to thetask he or she is required toperform and taking accountof the size or hazards (or bothof them) of the undertakingor establishment in which heor she undertakes work, theperson possesses sufficienttraining, experience andknowledge appropriate to thenature of the work to beundertaken’.

The key words outlined aboveare training, experience andknowledge. It is vital that allthree components areaccounted for when deemingthat someone is competent tocarry out a certain task. Useful criteria to look forwhen examining thecompetency of a person are:

• The curriculum vitae (CV)of the person providing theservice; from the CV youshould judge if this personhas experience of carryingout such work in yourindustry.

• References and contactdetails of organisationswhere this person hascarried out such workpreviously.

• Proof of qualifications. • Professional membership of

a body related to theiroccupation.

It is also a good idea to askfor a portfolio/ example ofpast work this person hascarried out. An interview or ashort meeting with thisperson may also give you anidea of how competent theyare.

The above is non-exhaustiveand may be altered as youwish.

It is also possible to createyour own risk assessmentsand safety statement with theuse of the Health and SafetyAuthority’s (HSA)BeSMART.ie. This easy to useapplication reduces thechances of an accident in theworkplace and saves smallbusiness owners/managerstime and money. To use thisapplication, visit theBeSMART.ie website:www.besmart.ie.

QUESTION 2 Is it a statutory requirementto have a policy for bullying

in the workplace contained within a safety statement?

ANSWER 2The Safety, Health andWelfare at Work Act 2005requires that an employermust manage and conductwork activities in such a wayas to prevent, so far as isreasonably practicable, anyimproper conduct orbehaviour likely to put thesafety, health or welfare atwork of his or her employeesat risk. Therefore, employersmust assess the workingenvironment for systems andpractices that lead to healthand safety hazards, includingbullying, and put in placepreventive measures.

Employees also have duties tobehave and conductthemselves so as to respect theright of employers and otheremployees to dignity, courtesyand respect at work and theright not to be placed at riskas regards to their safety,health and welfare frombullying at work.

In terms of a need to includea policy for bullying in thesafety statement; prevention isthe best way to avoid the riskof bullying at work. Althoughit is not a requirement toinclude the policy untilbullying is identified as ahazard, it is good practice toinclude the policy from theoutset. An anti-bullyingpolicy is management’scommitment to preventingbullying behaviour in theworkplace and also outlines

the procedures to be followedif and when bullying issuesarise.

For further information onwork related bullying, pleaseview the Code of Practice forEmployers and Employees onthe Prevention and Resolutionof Bullying at Work. Thisdocument is available fromthe Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) website:www.hsa.ie.

QUESTION 3 The majority of the work inour office is carried out infront of a computer screen.Can you please tell me if (a)a risk assessment of eachworkstation must be carriedout, and, (b) it is sufficient toprovide employees with achecklist so they can carryout an assessment of theirown workstation?

ANSWER 3(a) An employer must carryout an analysis of theemployee’s workstation if the

Brian O’Connor, health and safetyspecialist, National Irish SafetyOrganisation

HELPLINE


employee:(i) has no choice but to use

the visual display unit(VDU) to carry outhis/her work,

(ii) normally uses the VDUfor continuous periods ofmore than one hour, or,

(iii) generally uses the VDUon a daily basis.

This analysis must bedocumented and must becarried out by a competentperson. The analysis musttake account of schedule 4 tothe General ApplicationRegulations 2007 andincludes requirements onequipment, environment andemployee/computerinterface.

Employees who are entitledto an analysis of theirworkstation as above, must

also:• be trained in the use of

their workstation and begiven information abouthealth and safety factors,

• have periodic breaks orchanges of routine, awayfrom VDUs,

• be informed by theiremployer that they areentitled to an appropriateeye and eyesight test (ormay opt for either) beforeworking with VDUs andat regular intervals; if atany time working withVDUs an employeeexperiences visualdifficulties he or she has asimilar entitlement.

If, as a result of the eye test,the employee requiresparticular lenses for VDUwork then the costs ofminimum requirement

frames and lenses must beborne by the employer.However, if the employeealready wears glasses tocorrect a visual defect andthese glasses are adequatealso for VDU work then theemployer is not liable asregards meeting the cost.

(b) A checklist may be usedto give the person carryingout the analysis an initialidea of the risks involvedwith each workstation.However, a checklist is notsufficient to allow employeescomplete a physical analysisof their own workstation.

This analysis must becompleted by a competentperson. A person is deemedto be competent if he / shepossesses sufficient training,experience and knowledge

appropriate to the nature ofthe work to be undertaken.A copy of the completedanalysis should be given tothe employee for theirrecords and for furtherfollow up where required.This is to ensure that alloutstanding actions areaddressed.

For further information onworkstation riskassessments, please view theGuide to the GeneralApplication Regulations2007, Chapter 5 of Part 2:Display Screen Equipment.This document can bedownloaded from the Healthand Safety Authority (HSA)website: www.hsa.ie.

Brian O’Connor BSc OSH,MSc EHS


EVENTS

NISO, A11 Calmount Park, Calmount Avenue, Ballymount, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 465 9760 Fax: 01 465 9765 Email: [email protected] Website: www.niso.ie

1. Courses scheduled at NISOTraining Centre,Ballymount, Dublin 12

Safe Pass Course (Course Length: 1 day)25 October / 8 November / 22November

Manual Handling Instructor andAssessor Course, 6N0233, FETACLevel 6(Course Length: 3 days)4, 5, 6 & 11, 12 November

Basic Manual Handling Course (Course Length: Half day)13 November

Health and Safety RepresentationCourse, L22487, FETAC Level 5(Course Length: 3 days)18, 19, 20 November

VDU/DSE Assessors Course (Course Length: 1 day) 3 December

2. Courses and events in theregions

EAST REGIONSeminar: NEW ConstructionRegulations 2013Venue: Red Cow Moran Hotel, DublinDate: 24 October, 14:00hrs – 16:30hrsFurther information: www.niso.ie

Annual General MeetingDate: 5 December

Safety QuizDate: 27 February 2014, beginning at20:00hrs

MIDLAND REGIONAnnual General Meeting followedby a Briefing of a Topical IssueDate: 19 November, 19:30hrs –20:00hrsVenue: Cregan Court Hotel, Athlone

Course: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and HealthVenue: Athlone Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks, Mondaysfor 2 hours)Commencing: February 2014Contact: [email protected]

Safety QuizDate: 12 March 2014, beginning at20:00hrsVenue: Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore

MIDWEST REGIONAnnual General MeetingDate: 27 November

Course: NISO Introduction toOccupational Safety and HealthVenue: Limerick Institute ofTechnology(Course Length: 13 weeks, Mondaysfor 2 hours)Commencing: February 2014Contact: [email protected] orwww.lit.ie/LifelongLearning/Courses

Safety QuizDate: 20 March 2014, beginning at20:00hrsVenue: Greenhills Hotel

NORTHWEST REGIONSeminar: NEW ConstructionRegulations 2013Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo. Date: 22 OctoberFurther information: www.niso.ie

Safety QuizDate: 13 March 2014, beginning at20:00hrsVenue: Southern Hotel, Sligo

SOUTH REGIONAnnual General MeetingDate: 28 November

WEST REGIONAnnual General MeetingDate: 2 December

Safety QuizDate: 6 February 2014, beginning at20:00hrs

3. National Events

NISO Annual General Meeting12 April 2014

All Ireland Safety Knowledge TableQuiz Final12 April 2014

National Irish Safety Organisation Events DiaryPlease keep an eye on our website: www.niso.ie for forthcoming courses in 2013/2014

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Safety Award Winners 2013 - NISO · January/February 2014 and feedback in the form of a spidergraph...

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Transcript of Safety Award Winners 2013 - NISO · January/February 2014 and feedback in the form of a spidergraph...