Road Safety - NISO · Road Safety CSCS DEADLINE INSIDE ... congratulations to previous ... An Board Snip Nua recommendation and ask if the benefit of maintaining

Road SafetyCSCS DEADLINE

INSIDETHE EFFECTS OF A

PANDEMIC ON YOUR BUSINESS

EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES

HELPLINEUPCOMING

EVENTS

SUMMER 2009

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

and safety in Irish workplaces

NISO President ReflectsNISO UPDATE like many things is facing the snip, due to the financialcost, NISO has decided to move from a printed hard copy, to anelectronic PDF version. The electronic version will be of the sameformat and NISO hopes that it will be easier to be circulated in theworkplace electronically. On behalf of NISO, I would like to thank thepublishing team and printers.

NISO’s Annual GeneralMeeting was held in Traleeon the 25th April 2009. Itwas a well attended AGM.Reports were presented fromthe president, honorarysecretary and vice-presidenton behalf of the honorarytreasurer.

2009 will be a challengingyear for NISO as it will befor many of our members. Later, on the 25th April, thefinals of the All IrelandSafety Quiz took place. Theevent was well attended bythe teams from the NorthernIreland Safety Group andNISO along with a largegroup of supporters. Welldone to all involved,congratulations to previousentrants winner EndesaIreland Ltd. and the noviceentry winner HelsinnChemicals Ireland Ltd.A number of visits havetaken place to membercompanies during the firsthalf of 2009 to presentvarious awards. This hasbeen one of the enjoyableroles as president.

Planning for the 2009 AnnualHealth and SafetyConference and Awards is atan advanced stage. With thisyears safety awards having atotal entry of three less thanlast year, which was thelargest number in theeighteen years history of the

annual safety awards, thisshows that safety is a priorityin these times of economicdownturn.

This year’s conference“Driving Safety and Health”will look quickly at the pastand take a long look into thefuture, with internationalspeakers, based on a lookinto Europe’s RiskObservatory.

I look forward to welcomingyou to the BreaffyInternational Resort,Castlebar on the 24th and25th September 2009 whichthis year is being hosted bythe western region of NISO. NISO thanked Minister BillyKelleher for his support toNISO during his tenure ofoffice and welcomes MinisterDara Calleary to his newappointment as Minister forLabour with responsibilitiesfor health and safety. NISOlooks forward to workingwith the Minister.

One issue that needs to belooked at closely over thecoming months, is the “AnBoard Snip Nua” proposal tomerge the Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) and theNational Employment Rights Authority (NERA).The HSA services thenational strategy on safetyand health and has promoteda safety and health culture in

the Irish workplace. The justification is a savingof five million eurosannually. The report wouldbe in direct contrast to theBarrington Commissionreport which was aboutpreventing accidents and illhealth in the workplace. Thiscould place a further burdenon the state, as it is estimatedthat poor health and safetystandards in the Irishworkplace costs 3.6 billioneuros, (Indecon Report). The safety community needsto debate the real reason forAn Board Snip Nuarecommendation and ask ifthe benefit of maintainingand improving safety andhealth in the Irish workplacewas considered?

Pauric Corrigan,President National IrishSafety Organisation.

IN THIS ISSUE

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

NISO/National News ..............3

FEATURESEmployees with disabilities...5

The Effects of a Pandemic on your Business ......................6

NISO Conference & Awards 2009 ..........................8

FORUMA force to be reckoned with ...9

Update from the Health andSafety Authority......................10

National Focal Points, a Trade Union View ................11

Safety Icon Retires after Years in the Health and SafetyArena, Tony Briscoe IBEC .....12

Helpline .....................................13

Regional Focus – West..........15

Upcoming Events ..................16

Visit www.niso.ie todownload a copy ofUpdate!

EDITORIAL

2 NISO UPDATE! SUMMER 2009

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! SUMMER 2009 3

The 23rd of June saw theHealth and Safety Authority(HSA) launch their AnnualReport and Statistics Reportfor 2008.

In a Report by Chairman, JimLyons, and Chief Executive,Martin O’Halloran, 2008 wasa year of both achievementand sadness. Achievementsincluded; • 16,009 inspectionscompleted by the HSA, theirhighest number of

inspections to date, • Implementation of REACHin Ireland,

• Programme of legislativerenewal and simplification,and,

• Quality and quantity ofguidance provided to bothemployers and employees.

However, the 57 deathsreported to the HSA in 2008put a gloom on theseachievements. The sector withthe highest fatality rate was

Agriculture, Hunting andForestry accounting for 21 ofthe 57 deaths, followed byConstruction with 15.

The Head of Communicationsfor the HSA, Gavin Lonergan,discusses some of the mainhighlights of the AnnualReport and Statistics Report2008 as well as some othersignificant plans for the HSAgoing forward in his article inthe forum section of themagazine.

Annual Report andStatistics Report 2008

This Healthy Workplacescampaign now runs in a twoyear cycle with the themefor 2008-09 being RiskAssessment.

One of the overall aims of thecampaign is to demystify theprocess of carrying out a riskassessment and according tothe European Agency forSafety and Health at Work,risk assessment is not a taskonly for experts. Thecampaign aims to promote the

idea of a participatoryapproach to risk assessment byinvolving the workforce in therisk assessment process toensure that hazards identifiedare not only from principles ofknowledge but also byknowledge of workingconditions and patterns ofadverse effects upon workers.

For further information or todownload useful factsheets onrisk assessment then pleaseview the European Agency for

Safety and Health at Workwebsite; www.osha.europa.eu. The HSA will also be runninga range of events throughoutEuropean Safety Week andwill post these details on theirwebsite at www.hsa.ie.

European Safety Week 19 October 2009

The HSA’s vision for theproposaed 2010 - 2012strategy is ‘a national cultureof excellence where everyperson will commit to theprovision of safety, health andwelfare at work and the safeand sustainable management ofchemicals’.

To achieve this target, the HSAhas set itself six goals:• To enable employers,employees and others toreduce risks to safety, healthand welfare,

• To motivate and gaincommitment to having safeand healthy workplaceswhich support success in allenterprises,

• To support the Minister forEnterprise, Trade andEmployment in theinitiation and developmentof appropriate legislationand policies,

• To hold accountable thosewho disregard their dutiesand responsibilities foroccupational safety, healthand welfare,

• To promote the safe andsustainable management ofchemicals,

• To ensure that the Authorityis effective in delivering onits goals and achieves valuefor money.

The new draft strategy sets outin detail how each of the above

goals will be achieved. One of the key featuresrunning through this newstrategy document is theAuthority’s aim to influencethe behaviour of both theemployer and employees, thiswill be achieved through acombination of raisingawareness with givinginformation and advice and,where necessary byenforcement.

The closing date for thesubmission of comments wasJune 23rd. This is the secondstrategy statement prepared bythe HSA and is required undersection 43 of the SHWW Act2005.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA)Draft Statement of Strategy

The Health and SafetyAuthority (HSA) will becarrying out focusedREACH inspections acrossa range of enterprisesover the next fewmonths, beginning in July2009.

REACH (Registration,Evaluation andAuthorisation ofChemicals) is theEuropean CommunityRegulation on chemicalsand their safe use thatentered into force on 1June 2007.

There are roughly 300companies based inIreland who have pre-registered their substanceswith the EuropeanChemicals Agency(ECHA). This enforcementproject will see specialistchemical enforcementinspectors visiting thesepre-registered companiesto check pre-registrations,registrations and theprovisions for Safety DataSheets.

Companies will receivenotification prior to aninspection taking place toensure that appropriatepersonnel and relevantdocuments will beavailable for the inspector.The Forum WorkingGroup will create a reportin early 2010 based on theresults of theseinspections.

For further informationplease see the HSAwebsite, www.hsa.ie.

REACHenforcementproject

CSCS Deadline

Tony Briscoe of IBEC hasspoken on a number ofoccasions at the NationalIrish Safety Organisationannual conference, firstly in

1994 then in 2000 on theProgramme for Prosperityand Fairness in the contextof health and safety, again in2005, Together We Win -workplace health and safetyissues employers view.

Tony was on the interim boardof the HSA under theBarrington Commission andserved as a member until 2007,some eighteen years and duringthis period served as vice-chairof the board.

Tony published many articles

and codes of practice and wasa key figure in theestablishment of the WorkplaceSafety Group. The principalaim of this Group is to enableemployees who are injured orbecome ill to return to work, asa result both the employer andemployee benefit.

Over his long and distinguishedcareer, he has served on thecommittees of a number ofinternational and Europeanhealth and safety agencies andhas been involved in lobbyingon a number of key health and

safety issues.

Tony has made a very positivecontribution to the reductionof accidents and ill health inthe Irish workplace.

NISO wishes Tony well in hisretirement, which we hope isonly from the day job and notfrom the safety community,which we hope will benefitfrom his wisdom over thecoming years.

Le gach dea-ghuí ar fhágáildo phost.

The 6th of July marked thedeadline date for associatedpersons to be in possessionof a CSCS registrat ion cardfor signing, lighting andguarding at roadworks. Thetwo courses available on thistopic are the CSCS Signing,Lighting and Guarding atRoadworks (three day)course and the CSCS Healthand Safety at Roadworks(one day) course.

Successful participants of thethree day course will beresponsible for implementingthe temporary trafficmanagement plan on siteduring the construction work,this responsibility includesinstalling, maintaining andremoving signs and devicesused on roadworks. They willalso be able to interpret TrafficManagement plans, inaccordance with Chapter 8 ofthe Traffic Signs Manual.The one day course will qualifyparticipants to make minorrepairs to the signing, lightingand guarding as necessary;however, any major correctionssuch as a deficiency in thesystem of work will need to bereported to his or her employer,

supervisor or the CSCS SLGcard holder. Participants of thiscourse cannot modify theTraffic Management Plan inany form.

Either of the above is requiredby Reg 97 of the ConstructionRegulations 2006 to be at the

site of the roadworks at alltimes.

For further information pleasesee the HSA’s publication“Guidelines for Working onRoads”, this can bedownloaded on their website,www.hsa.ie.

The 6th of July was also thedeadline for persons to be inpossession of a CSCSregistraion card for Mobiletower scaffold (where theemployee has not been trainedin basic or advancedscaffolding), Locating under-ground services and Shotfiring.

NEWS


Tony Briscoe, IBEC

Safety Icon Retires after Years in theHealth and Safety Arena

FEATURE


Employees with DisabilitiesIt is estimated that tenpercent of the populationlives with a disability, eightypercent of which is acquired.

This silent statistic outnumbersthe figures for sportspersons,businesspersons and othergroups widely represented inour media. While society as awhole moves according togeneric policies, organisationalpolicies are bound bylegislation.

The Health and SafetyAuthority, in collaboration withthe National DisabilityAuthority, has recentlypublished a guideline regardingEmployees with Disabilities.The guideline establishes therequirements for employers“implementing inclusive healthand safety practices” forpersons with disabilities in theworkplace. The documenthighlights issues surroundingrisk assessment, givingattention to accommodatingdisability, inclusive policies andprocesses and in particular theneed for safe egress in the caseof an emergency. It underpinsthe broad requirements of theSafety, Health and Welfare atWork Act of 2005 (No. 10 of2005) as reflected in Regulation25 of the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work (GeneralApplication) Regulations of2007 (S.I. No 299 of 2007).

In order to appreciate disabilitywe should revisit the pillars ofmodern guiding principles. Asfar back as 1955, the UnitedNations’ International LabourOrganisation has beendeveloping universal policiesregarding work and disability. Ithas long established the inverserelationship between disabilityand rehabilitation acquiredthrough occupation. More thanhalf a century later, we are stillstruggling to create non-prejudiced workplaceenvironments that are friendlyto the entire population. In2001, at its 54th Annual HealthAssembly, the World Health

Organisation pronounced thefollowing: “Every humanperson can experience adecrement in health, leading tosome degree of disability” This declaration (ref: WHA 54-21) gives a refreshing focus onhealth and functionality,enabling us to view disability ina new light, that of “you todayme tomorrow”. This coreaffirmation may remove manyof the misconceptionssurrounding disability.

The WHO stresses thatdisability is not a minorityissue, but a universal humancondition, and that the“mainstream” of thepopulation will experiencedisability at some stage in theirlives. The WHO’s frameworkfor measuring health anddisability at both individualand population levels, ratifiedat this Assembly, is compiledunder the “InternationalClassification of Functioning,Disability and Health”, knownas the ICF. This model views“disability” as being applicableto all persons, regardless ofhealth condition. It places allpersons (living within bodies!)on a time-variable scale.Physical or mental labels arenot evident as all deteriorationsin health are fundamentallybiological in nature.

While the ICF is primarily atool for use by rehabilitationprofessionals and policymakers, it is a valuabledocument for all personsworking in the realm ofadaptation. It defines itself as“a scientific tool for theparadigm shift from the purelymedical model to an integratedbiopsychosocial model ofhuman functioning”. It diffusesbiological and medical lexiconinto layperson’s terminology,outlining simple essentialenvironmental ororganisational supportsrequired in order to enhanceparticipation, a fundamentalhuman right.

The HSA guideline obligesemployers to assess all aspectsof disability; those associatedwith “external” mobility,sensory or cognitiveimpairments and also the“hidden” mental health orinternal health issues, all ofwhich may be temporary orpermanent in nature. Difficultymay arise where the employeedoes not wish to disclose amedical issue; improvedpolicies and communicationsmay be required in order toalleviate such fears.

In order to progress workingconditions, the employer mustchange emphasis from thebiological and medical aspectsof a disablement to the socialand environmental realm.Inclusive risk assessment asrequired under section 19 ofthe 2005 Act can only beachieved if the will to putpreventative methods into placeexists. Many core professionals(s. 18) should be involved inadaptation, followingconsultation with the affectedemployee; the employee’s ownGP, ergonomists, designers andmanufacturers of assistivetechnology, etc. The mostcommon “hidden” disabilities,such as those associated withmental health, may not requireany environmental change butrather a change in socialbehaviour within theorganisation. Often training isthe only necessity, leading to ashift in the mindset of fellowemployees, thus avoiding therisk of psychosocial hazards.Sensitive implementation of therequirements of sections 9 and10 are pertinent to the riskassessment, where theinformation, training andsupervision of employees “in alanguage that is reasonablylikely to be understood” (e.g.Braille, sign language, etc.) maynecessitate the assistance ofspecialised competent persons,as required by section 18. Theobligations under section 11requiring emergency measurescommensurate to the risk may

involve third persons (buddies)or specialised alert systemssuch as vibrating mats, beaconsor other devices. The HSAreiterates the prerequisite of aPEEP (Personal EmergencyEgress Plan) for those personswho may be at a disadvantagein a contingency situation,following risk assessment.

All these requirements arebased on standards, the newBS9999 (formerly the BS5588and others), the BuildingRegulations Parts B and M andrelated Technical GuidanceDocuments B and M, cross-over legislation such as theEmployment Equality Acts of1998 and 2004, amongst others.

Though many organisationsestablish their activity oninclusive principles; inclusivedesign, inclusive policies,relevant training and healthpromotion, the HSA guidelineis a helpful cue to compliance.If adopted conscientiously itwill create workplaces withuniversally safe systems ofwork – for all of us, whereverwe may be on the unpredictablescale of health-functionality.

Further Reading: http://apps.who.int/classifications/icfhttp://www.ilo.org/global/themes/skills_knowledge_ and_employability/

Chris McCormack, ManagingDirector of ErgolexConsulting, graduated fromSuffolk University, Madridwith a post-graduatequalification in Ergonomicsand Psychosocial Hazards.

Chris McCormack, Managing Directorof Ergolex Consulting

FEATURE


Have you considered theimpact Swine Flu - InfluenzaA (H1N1) could have onyour business? Wouldpossible absenteeism atlevels of up to 25% disruptyour business? Can yourecall the precautions takenfor the foot and mouthoutbreak? And whatappropriate controls arerequired to minimize the riskand maximize theconfidence to protect ouremployees and their familiesfrom influenza A (H1N1)?

Background and AuthorityResponseStarting in Mexico in April anew strain of influenza A(H1N1) was identified and overthe next six weeks its rapidtransmission between humansacross the world required theWorld Health Organisation(WHO) to declare a Pandemicat phase 6. The WHOconsiders the pandemic as"unstoppable". Recently, theWorld Health Organizationreported nearly 95,000 cases ofswine flu including 429 deathsworldwide. It is important tonote that the transmissibilitygeographically described by thepandemic level of the virusdoes not describe the severity ofthe virus in any way. The vastmajority of people, over 99%,are fully recovering from thisvirus in their home.

Health authorities havechanged their approach since16th of July from containmentactivities and tracking eachcase to a strategy of treatmentphase where the provision ofadvice and management of

anti-viral medication is thepriority.

The virus is disproportionallyaffecting our youngerpopulation, those under 35years of age, and 70% ofpeople infected to date are inthis category.

It must be noted that scientistsare modelling the best andworst case scenarios for thepandemic and some reports oflevels of infections and deathsare communicating the mostpessimistic views. It isimportant that our response ismeasured and that yourpandemic plans haveprogressive response levels thatcan be enacted if the riskincreases

Pandemic Planning andExpertise in the Irish BusinessContextHaving spent time over the lasttwo years working as a memberof an international pandemicplanning group, Shane Mooneyat SPeco Services Ltd. hasassisted clients to consider thepotential impact of a pandemicon all elements of theirbusiness.

Mary Coughlan, Tánaiste andMinister for Enterprise, Trade

and Employment stated onSaturday 2nd May that: “the time is now opportune forbusinesses who do not yet havecontinuity plans in place toprepare them, and for those whodo have plans to revisit them”.

And she added, “Two yearsago, a study found that therewas a lack of preparedness inthe SME sector in particularfor the outbreak of a flupandemic”.

In June 2009, OxfordEconomics published researchreviewing data from pastinfluenza pandemics. Itconcludes that if an increase inseverity occurs in autumn"world GDP could be cut byapproximate US$2.5 trillion inthe six months of the pandemictranslating into 3.5% of 2009GDP."

Effective Pandemic PlanningThere are six key issuesorganisations should considerto deliver more effectivepandemic planning. These arepresented in turn below whilealso setting out some of thepertinent questions that need tobe considered?

1. Pandemic Planning TeamIt is advisable to form a

pandemic planning team thatcan lead your business throughthe likely challenges from swineflu over the coming months. Itmay be practical to use existingstructures, for example, abusiness continuity team oremergency response team towork on the Pandemic Plan. Inour experience, having a cross-functional multidisciplinaryteam with members fromoperations management,Human Resources and Financeplays a key role due to thepotential impact on thebusiness and the need to planacross all business functions,processes and units.

2. Business ContinuityPlanningEvaluate with seniormanagement the likelydemands on your business ifthe pandemic causes significantabsenteeism. How would suchabsenteeism impact yourcustomers and the endconsumer? Are you requiredcontractually or throughservice level agreements toguarantee supply at e.g. 50% ofyour current output?

Most companies who havepandemic planning strategies inplace have identified theproduction output that will be

The Effects of a Pandemic on your Business

Influenza A

Shane Mooney, B Tec. DIP APM, SeniorConsultant at SPeco Services.

maintained and listed criticalemployees required to maintainsupply during the pandemic. Itis vital to consider thefunctions, posts and supportstaff required in this eventualityand evaluate their skills andany cross-training required. Itwould be prudent to plan tohave 25% or more of your staffabsent due to illness orprovision of care to familymembers. We would advocateidentifying those who can workremotely and what technicalchallenges may arise if they areworking from home for aperiod? Are work instructionsrequired to facilitate your staffto have remote access to thefiles, software and services thatthey require?

If we remember the controlsintroduced by all businessesduring the foot and mouth forthe protection of animal healthto we can begin to understandthe controls required to protectthe health and safety of ouremployees during the postintense phase of a pandemic.

3. Supplier ReadinessConduct a review of supplychain and stock levels ofcritical supplies which wouldaffect the provision of servicesif interrupted. Consider therequirements to increase safetystock of key supplies. It may be

prudent to request suppliers toprepare for a pandemic and putcontingency plans in place toensure supply. Would apandemic preparednesscommunication to suppliers beappropriate setting out yourrequirements and expectations?

4. CommunicationIt is advisable to devise acommunication plan forsuppliers, customers, healthauthorities and internallywithin your own company. Dueto the level of media reportingit is important for thepandemic team to becommunicating up to date andaccurate information regularlyto employees and management.There is an extensive amount ofinformation available from theWorld Health Organisationand Department of Health andChildren and organisationsshould establish a plan tocommunicate regular updatesto stakeholders within andoutside the business in theevent that the pandemicseverity increases. It isimportant that your staff aretrained on the control measuresbeing advocated and how torecognise the flu symptoms.

5. TravelThe WHO have stated thatrestricting travel is not apreferred option and will not

mitigate against the risk.However, organisations needto consider the risk of stafftravelling and also the potentialrisk associated with visitorsand contractors visitingpremises and facilities. It maybe prudent to review the travelpolicy and consider if provisionof PPE (personal protectiveequipment) or medication tothose travelling on business isappropriate.

6. On-Site ControlThe National Influenza Planidentifies hygiene measures andcleaning as a primary controlmeasure. The Pandemic Teamshould review the currentcleaning regime and frequencywithin the business. Whatresources would be required toincrease the frequencyespecially at common interfacepoints like canteens, meetingrooms etc.?

In recent days, the CatholicChurch hierarchy haveadvocated the removal of ahandshake during the sign ofpeace at mass. The response ofother organisations may wellset a benchmark andexpectations for on-site hygienerequirements.

The provision of PPE for staffat work and travelling to workshould be a key consideration.

The Pandemic Team candetermine the volumes requiredbased on the employee numbersand the duration of operationduring an intense period of thepandemic. Discuss theavailability of supplies withyour PPE vendor and theirability to maintain supplyduring an escalation in theseverity. It may be necessary toseek budget approval toincrease contingency stock ofspecific volumes of PPE.

Conclusion“In the absence of a pandemic,almost any preparation willsmack of alarmism, but if apandemic does break out,anything that has been donemight not be enough” - TonyAbbott, Australian Minister forHealth. The Irish Governmentis providing excellent supportto date and have robust plans inplace including anti-viral drugstocks and orders in place for avaccine for all citizens when itbecomes available. It isimportant that we all do ourpart to prepare our businessesfor this foreseeable emergencysituation to minimize the riskto our employees and thebusiness.

Shane Mooney, B Tec. DIP APM, Senior

Consultant at SPeco Services.

FEATURE


Seminar: The Effects of a Pandemic on your Business:How To Plan and Implement Business ContinuitySPEAKER: Shane MooneyVENUE: NISO, A11 Calmount Park,Calmount Avenue,Ballymount, Dublin 12 DATE: Wednesday 9 September 2009, 10:00 - 13:00 Hours

Who should attend?• Owners, managers anddirectors of SMES andlarger organisations

• Persons managing orinvolved in Health andSafety

• Persons involved in HRand personnel

Aim of the seminar:Participants will gain theknowledge andunderstanding, obtain theadvice and the practicaltools necessary to prepare abusiness for a pandemicoutbreak.

Content of the seminar:• What is the status andbusiness impact of thecurrent Influenza A

(H1/N1) pandemic• Why bother: how can apandemic affect yourbusiness and how can weminimize it?

• Case study of a pandemic:the current H1N1pandemic commonlyknown as Swine Flu andhow an organisation dealswith it nationally andinternationally.

• What can you do andwhen?

• Plan of action before andduring a pandemic: Risk

analysis including theidentification of business-critical processes and keystaff; communicationplan, hygiene plan,training plan, travel policyand authorization.

• Receive a Practicalresource pack that youcan be tailored for yourorganisation

• Q&A Session

FEATURE


Conference Theme: DrivingSafety and Health24 & 25 September 2009;Breaffy House Resort,Castlebar, Co Mayo

The NISO annual conferenceand safety awards dinnerremains one of the majorevents in every health andsafety practitioner’s calendar.With a fascinating line up ofspeakers on show, NISO areconfident that next monthsconference and safety awardsdinner will be one toremember.

Thursday, 24 September 2009

The 18th Annual SafetyAwards will be presented tosuccessful companies at a GalaDinner. Dara Calleary, T.D.,Minister for Labour Affairswill be the Guest of Honour.

The Golf Classic and SiteSafety Visit will take placeearlier in the day.

Friday, 25 September 2009

The Annual ConferenceSpeakers include:• Sgt Jim McAllister,

An Garda Siochana; • Martin O’Halloran and

Deirdre Sinnott, Healthand Safety Authority;

• Brenda O’Brien, BrusselsLiaison Office, EuropeanAgency for Safety andHealth.

• Dermot Carey,Construction IndustryFederation;

• Esther Lynch, IrishCongress of Trade Unions;

• Tadhg Crowley, ESB;• Frank Cunneen, Workplace

Safety Initiative;• Dr. Kevin Kelleher, Health

Service Executive;• Persons injured in the

workplace will participateincluding renownedmotivational speaker,Candace Carnahan ofPassport to Safety, Canada.

Topics being discussed at thisyear’s conference include:A review of the last 20 yearssince the introduction of the“1989 Act” and lookingforward to what can beexpected over the next decade. Safety for those who drive aspart of their work.Continuity planning and thebusiness case in respect of apotential Pandemic.Consequences resulting fromreduced investment in safetyand health in theworkplace.

A Health and Safety TradeExhibition will be held inconjunction with the AnnualConference.

Partners Trip to a place ofinterest and will include timefor shopping in Westport.

To book a place at the NISOAnnual Conference, SafetyAwards Dinner, Golf Classic,Site Safety Visit, or if you wish

to participate at NISO’s Healthand Safety Trade Exhibition,then please log ontowww.niso.ie.

Sponsors include: Health andSafety Authority, 3M Ireland,Allergan PharmaceuticalsIreland, Construction IndustryFederation, ESB.

BMS Swords Laboratories, Supreme Award winners of 2008 NISO Representatives Bill Kelly, Liam O'Carroll and Mary Keane

Speakers at last years Conference in the Knightsbrook Hotel

Skyway Safe Access Equipment Ltd., exhibitors at the 2008 NISO Exhibition alongwith Cllr Liz McCormack and Bill Kelly of NISO

NISO Annual Conference & Safety AwardsDinner 2009

FEATURE


When it comes tooccupational safety andhealth, IOSH is making itsvoice heard across the world,says IOSH Ireland chair BrucePhillips.

The current economic climatehas brought change andchallenges to businesses andindividuals. Cuts to budgetsand staffing levels haveincreased the pressure onworkers, with worries aboutunemployment and debt addingto the potential causes of illhealth. At the same time, manybusinesses may be tempted toreduce health and safetybudgets in a bid to save jobs.But this would prove a falseeconomy. Already, too manypeople suffer serious injuriesand ill health in the workplace.Cutting budgets and safetyprovisions can only increasethat number – costingindividuals their wellbeing andimpacting the productivity ofbusinesses. In the midst of thischanging landscape, it is moreimportant than ever that healthand safety professionalsmaintain – or indeed raise –standards, to make sure theyare best placed to deal withwhatever changes might occur.

A question of competenceThrough our networks andevents, IOSH is increasinglyconscious of the issues facinghealth and safety practitioners,and we’re working to findproactive ways to address them. Professional competence playsa key role in maintainingstandards. By law, employersmust get ‘competent’ advice on

health and safety. Employerignorance of this legalrequirement leads to confusionand a lack of credibility forhealth and safety professionals.

At worst, it puts lives at riskbecause somebody could claimto be a health and safetyadvisor without having thequalifications and experienceneeded to do the job well.Think of it this way: youwouldn’t go to a doctor whowasn’t qualified or hadn’tstayed up to date with the latestdevelopments in medicine. Sowhy would you put your lifeand those of your employees inthe hands of a health and safetypractitioner who couldn’t provethey were competent to handlethe issues faced in yourworkplace?

As the world’s leading body forhealth and safety professionals,the Institution forOccupational Safety andHealth (IOSH) is addressingthese issues on a global scale.Through its networks andlobbying activities, IOSH isworking to establish a systemof recognised accreditation forhealth and safety consultantsand advisers. IOSH has over

35,000 members in more than78 countries with fiveinternational branches, ofwhich Ireland is the largest,with around 1,900 members.

Each branch has specialist areasof focus – for example, at theIreland branch we specialise inconstruction, consultancy, firerisk management, healthcareand public services. But we alsowork to communicate withsafety professionals andestablish best practices on aglobal level.

Developing a system ofaccreditation for safety andhealth professionals, we can setstandards and disseminate bestpractices worldwide.

A global concernIOSH’s growing internationalnetwork is helping to make thispossible. Our members are ableto share ideas and informationwith each other, and we alsogive them low-cost (often free)access to conferences, seminarsand meetings that contribute totheir Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment. Because of this,IOSH members are seen byemployers as leaders in theirprofession, with competency

and knowledge to advise on theissues facing their specificindustry.In addition, IOSH was the firstsafety body in Europe to beofficially recognised as a non-governmental organisation bythe International LabourOrganization. This has enabledIOSH members to contribute topolicies that affect health andsafety standards across theworld.

This level of recognition is asignificant step towardestablishing health and safetyprofessionals at the centre ofhealthy businesses. But we mustnow build on the progresswe’ve made. Now is the timefor health and safetypractitioners to redefine theirrole in business – to work moreclosely with health workers, forexample, and establishthemselves as experts. Byworking together to serstandards of competency andsharing information both onregional and global levels,health and safety professionalscan make a difference not onlyto the lives of employees, butalso to the way health andsafety profession itself.

A force to be reckoned with

Bruce Phillips, Chair IOSH Ireland

FORUM


Gavin Lonergan, Head ofCommunications with theHealth and Safety Authority,writes about recent HSAactivity and future plans.

Annual Report and StatisticsReport LaunchedThe number of people killed inwork related incidents saw asignificant decrease in 2008 butwe are still seeing unacceptablelevels of workplace accidentsand deaths. That was themessage from Minister DaraCalleary TD at the launch (onTuesday 23rd June) of theHealth and Safety Authority’s2008 Annual Report andStatistics Report. Figures released in the reportsshow that there were 57reported workplace deaths in2008, a 15% reductioncompared to 2007 (67fatalities). While the Ministerwas pleased with the reductionhe cautioned againstcomplacency. “While thereduction in workplacefatalities is welcome, we stillhad 57 fatalities and thousandsof workplace injuries, many ofthem preventable. We cannotafford to relax our vigilance inthis area. In these times, wehave to continually emphasisethe message that keepingpeople safe and healthy at workand saving money are notmutually exclusive concepts,”he said.

The Minister also remindedworkers of the key role that theEU has had in developinghealth and safety standards.“Health and safety at work is aright. The enhancement andenforcement of that right and,indeed, the wider spectrum ofemployee rights, has improvedimmeasurably since ouraccession to the EU. It isimportant that we rememberthat.”

According to MartinO’Halloran, Chief Executive ofthe Health and SafetyAuthority, investment in thesafety, health and welfare ofworkers makes good businesssense. “The evidence clearly

shows that resources allocatedto the safety, health and welfareof workers pays dividends.Employers have a legal andmoral duty to protect theirworkers but there is also astrong financial case to do sotoo.”

Mr O’Halloran continued, “Ibelieve that the majority ofemployers do realise thatinvesting in the safety, healthand welfare of their workforceswill show tangible benefits suchas lower insurance premiums,greater productivity and fewerstaff absences as well asprotecting and saving lives, themost important benefit of all.”Key highlights from the reportsinclude:• The number of work relateddeaths reported in 2008 was57 compared to 67 in 2007.

• There were 6 non-workerfatalities in 2008, 4 of thesewere children.

• Over a third of work relateddeaths occurred inagriculture even though itemploys just 6% of theworkforce.

• 7,658 non-fatal accidentswere reported to the HSA in2008.

• The most common accidenttriggers remain manualhandling and slips, trips andfalls.

• In 2008 the Authority carriedout 16,009 inspections.

• 14% of inspections resultedin enforcement action.

• 54% of inspections resultedin written advice andguidance.

• In 2008 fines totalling over€2.5 million were imposedfor breaches of health andsafety law.

New Strategy StatementThe period for publicconsultation has now endedand the coming weeks andmonths will see the HSAfinalise our new strategystatement for 2010 to 2012.The new strategy will aim tobuild on the significantprogress made under theprevious strategy statement of2007-2009. We believe there isyet further scope tosignificantly and sustainablyimprove workplace safety,health and welfare and toensure the safe and sustainableuse of chemicals and to becomea role model for safety andhealth in Europe.

First REACH EnforcementProject LaunchedAs part of an EU wide REACHenforcement project, the HSAwill be carrying out focusedREACH inspections across arange of enterprises over thenext few months, beginning inJuly 2009. As part of thisproject, specialist chemicalenforcement inspectors will bechecking pre-registrations,registrations and the provisionsfor Safety Data Sheets. Thisproject is part of the ongoingwork of the EU FORUM onREACH Enforcement whichaims to ensure harmonisationof REACH enforcement acrossthe EU.

The enforcement project of theForum enforces the coreprinciple of REACH: no data,no market. Inspectors in theparticipating countries willfocus on the phase-insubstances (existing substances)and check through inspectionswhether companies havesubmitted a pre-registration ora registration and, wherenecessary, whether a SafetyData Sheet has been supplied.The project will thus give a firstimpression of the level of

Update from the Health and Safety Authority

Jim Lyons, Chairman of the HSA, Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Labour Affairs, Mary Dorgan, Assistant Chief Executive of the HSA,and Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive of the HSA at the recent launch of the 2008 Annual Report and Statistics Report

FORUM


The National Focal Pointsthat are set up in EU MemberStates, Candidate and EFTAcountries, form the mainsafety and healthinformation network of theEuropean Agency for Safetyand Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Each governmentnominates a Focal Point asthe official representativefor that country.

Usually they are the nationalauthority for safety and healthfor that country. In Ireland it isthe Health and Safety Authority(HSA). The governing board ofthe EU-OSHA is made up ofrepresentatives of governments,employers and workers from EUMember States, representativesof the European Commissionand other observers. Itsheadquarters are in Bilbao,Spain.

Focal Points support theinitiatives of EU-OSHA bygiving valuable feedback andinformation. They also workwith national networks thatinclude government, workers’and employers’ representatives.EU-OSHA Healthy Workplacescampaign message is spread bythe Focal Points who alsonominate representatives toEU-OSHA Expert Groups suchas Internet, European RiskObservatory and WorkingEnvironment Informationgroups.

European Week for Safety andHealth at Work, which isoverseen by the EU-OSHA androlled out in Ireland by theHealth and Safety Authoritythrough the Focal Pointnetwork, has become thelargest health and safety atwork awareness raisingcampaign in Europe. EuropeanSafety Week campaigns such asthe present one on RiskAssessment and previous onessuch as the Lighten the Loadcampaign on musculoskeletaldisorders, and on Building inSafety, all highlight areas ofconcern to workers throughoutEurope. This year’s SafetyWeek takes place in the weekcommencing 19th October2009. The HSA organises arange of events for the week.

The overall aim of the presenttwo-year campaign on HealthyWorkplaces, Risk Assessment isto create an integratedmanagement approach tohighlight the various steps of therisk assessment process. It pointsout that risk assessment shouldbe a systematic examination ofall the aspects of work and itshould consider what can causeharm or injury, whether or notthe hazards can be eliminated,and if not what preventive orprotective measures can be putin place to control the risks.

The campaign 2010-2011 onSafe Maintenance will target

managers of Small andMedium Enterprises (SME)who carry out and commissioncontract maintenance, workersand their representatives whocarry out maintenance, policymakers and the OSH researchcommunity.

The trade union movement seesFocal Point networks as avaluable tool in the maintenanceand improvement in workers’health and safety throughoutEurope. It also sees as positiveThe Safety Week, together withthe campaigns mentioned aboveand the other activities such asthe Good Practice Awards,distribution of health and safetypromotional material, RegionalAdvisory Committees.

Many trade union members areconcerned that the cooperationbuilt up in National Focalpoints could be jeopardised bythe European Commissioncampaign to replace EUregulations with self-regulation. The term they use is“better regulation” notderegulation. This is seen bymany as a disingenuousattempt to put a positive spinon the process. This self-regulation policy seems to bebased on the idea that publicregulation of any kind is likelyto hold back business growth,that the only good rule is onethat helps to grow the economy,that the sum of individual

selfishness will add up to thecommon good.

We have seen throughout theworld and especially in thiscountry in the financial sectorwhat the consequences are to theeconomy of blindly following agrowth strategy, not looking atthe real value of our assets andadopting a light touchregulations policy. As describedby Laurent Vogel, Director of theHealth and Safety Department(ETUI) in the March 2009edition of their e-newsletterHesamail: http://hesa.etui.orgself regulation could bedisastrous if adopted in the areaof Health and Safety.

“Cutting down informationrequirements inevitablyundermines prevention.Workers and society will pay ahigh price for theadministrative costs saved inthe form of work-relatedaccidents and diseases.”

There are many challengesahead such as the budget cut tothe Risks Assessment campaignand the subsequent greaterburden on national committeesto do more with less. These areindeed challenging times for allwho inhabit the world ofHealth and Safety.

Bobby Carty, ICTU Representative

on the Focal Point Network

National Focal Points, a Trade Union View

compliance by manufacturersand importers (including onlyrepresentatives) with REACHin the EU. At the same time, thecapacity of the enforcementauthorities to enforce REACHwill be enhanced.For further information onREACH in Ireland see ourwebsite at www.reachright.ie.

Upcoming Manual HandlingTraining Standards SeminarsA review of manual handlingtraining in Ireland, whichincluded a survey of trainingproviders and a publicconsultation process, concludedthat there was a need for newtraining standards and a system

or process to quality assuretraining providers who delivermanual handling or peoplehandling instructor trainingprogrammes.

A range of nationwideseminars will be held inOctober aimed at bringingtraining providers completelyup to date with the plannedimplementation of the newsystem. Full seminar detailswill be finalised in the nearfuture and will be available onthe Authority’s website. Toregister your interest pleaseemail [email protected].

New PublicationsA range of newpublications werepublished recently. Theseinclude the 2008 AnnualReport and StatisticsReport, new guidelines tohelp employers provide ahealthy and safeworkplace for employeeswith disabilities and a newguide to the export andimport of dangerouschemicals.

Copies of these newpublications and lots morecan be downloaded for freefrom the Authority’s websiteat www.hsa.ie.


Tony Briscoe, IBECAs Tony Briscoe, head ofoccupational health withIBEC, announces hisretirement, he looks back onhis career and the changesthat have occurred in healthand safety.

By the time this article ispublished, I will have retiredfrom IBEC having spent over 22years involved directly inoccupational health and safety.Indeed before that time I wasalso involved in this area in aprevious incarnation, whichwhen added together representsover one quarter of a century inall having involvement in OSH.

My earliest memories of mycareer in this area were of alegislative remit only affectingsome 20% of the workingpopulation, mainly factoryactivities. While I can recallthose covered by safetylegislation had to have a safetypolicy even before the SafetyHealth and Welfare at WorkAct.,1989, this was normally avery basic document.

The 1989 Act came into effecttowards the end of 1989following on therecommendations of theBarrington Commission Reportpublished in the early eighties.It was a watershed in OSH.

Immediately following itsintroduction, all workplacesand activities previously subjectto no safety and health legalprovisions were now required tocomply with the new andsdifferent legal provisions. Thelegislation itself alsorepresented a very differentapproach to the earlierFactories Act 1955 and Safety inIndustry Acts 1980.

The description best used toexplain the significant changewas “framework legislation”, asopposed to the specificmeasures and duties set out inearlier legislation, whichpreceded the 1989 Act. At thattime, we had in Ireland justover one million people at workand the number of deathsrelated to work in 1990 was 57,26 of which occurred inagriculture.

More than 20 years on thingshave moved forward in a way,which would have amazedthose involved in years past.Now OSH, while covering allwork activities also extends farbeyond the traditional hazards.Few would have predicted thatwe would be dealing withhazards such as bullying, stress,intoxicants, swine flu,nanotechnology and artificialradiation to mention but a few.Indeed the scope and range ofcomplex, technical andpsychosocial hazards whichsafety practitioners areexpected to opine on todaywould tax many knowledgeablepeople.

There have been a number ofthings I have applied andlearned in my years of workingin OSH. First, is that no oneindividual has completecompetency. The most

competent people I know andhave had the great pleasure ofknowing over the years arethose who recognise theirlimitations. Secondly, inadvising many people over theyears I genuinely found itimportant to have an empathywith and understanding oftheir business. As advisors,safety people can on occasionappear pedantic and fail toconsider the business realitiesand vicissitudes of life. I makethe subtle but importantdifferentiation between zerorisk, and zero accidents, Thelatter should be the objective.Thirdly, for many years in myapproach with employers I havesuggested that safety should bea value in their business not apriority. Priorities have rankand may change from day today whereas values remainconstant. Another threat Iconsider with the reputation ofsafety and one now commonlyused is one where rules areblamed on health and safety.

Perhaps the most challengingaspect of work in this area isthat very few businesses willhave direct experience of aserious or fatal accident. Insmall and medium enterprises,it may only occur very rarely. While this is welcome, it is insome cases based on chancefactors rather than attributableto good safety management.Indeed, I would frequentlyobserve where a company hassuch experience andparticularly for seniormanagement, their attitude tosafety takes on a different levelof deference. This is probablythe greatest challenge for safetyproponents as experience hasimmeasurable influence onattitudes and behaviour. This issomething for which I have

developed approaches I believesuccessful to advancing safetyvalues over the years.

One final thought I wouldconclude with concerns thefuture of OSH and inparticular the focus onoccupational health. Unlikesafety and with engineeringcontrols, that we apply toeliminate and manage risksoccupational health will bemore challenging. It was, atleast my experience, thatdecisions on this would havesignificant regard for a numberfactors. One was epidemiology.

Others included theclassification of risk, latencyperiods and related to thiscurrent exposures with activitiesand the ability to measure andcontrol hazardous substances.This is or was the majordeterminant in settingoccupational exposure limitswhich with technologicaldevelopment continue to berevised downwards in manycases. For occupational health, itis important that the approachis right, relative to the risk, thatit represents good and reliablescience and epidemiology and istruly occupationally relatedrather than non-occupational inorigin. These points I expectwill be for some years the topicof discussion with both ourpolicy makers and the safetyprofession.

I wish you all a successfulfuture in your efforts howsoeveryou are involved in an area ofwork where I have gained manyfriends, knowledge andsatisfaction. While I am retiringfrom IBEC I look forward tomaintaining an involvement insafety and health and with theOSH community.

Tony Briscoe, Head of Occupational Health,

IBEC

FORUM

HELPLINE


Help on machinery, ppe, contactlenses and ladder safetyNISO’s health and safety advisor Brian O’Connor answers members’ queries.

Question 1I am currently working on aconstruction site and myworkstation is close to apiece of machinery that isnoisy and produces fumeswhich I am concerned about.Although I do not workdirectly with this piece ofmachinery, should I not bemade aware of the risksinvolved?

Answer 1The short answer is yes.

Under section 29 of Chapter 2of the General ApplicationRegulations 2007, the employermust ensure that “employeesare made aware of safety andhealth risks relevant tothem associated with workequipment located at or neartheir workstation or to anychanges relating to that workequipment, even if they do notuse the equipment.”

Your employer must provideyou with information and,where appropriate, writteninstructions on the workequipment, this must containhealth and safety informationconcerning “(i) the conditionsof use of work equipment, (ii)foreseeable abnormalsituations, and (iii) theconclusions to be drawn fromexperience, where appropriate,in using such work equipment.”

Also, as an employee you have aduty under the 2005 Act toreport to your employer or toany other appropriate person,any work being carried on, orlikely to be carried on, that mayendanger your own safety,health or welfare or that of anyother person. Therefore, youmust inform your employer oranother appropriate personsuch as your supervisor of any

concerns you may haveregarding this piece ofmachinery.

Question 2I regularly work in a dustyenvironment but myemployer has not made anysafety googles / glassesavailable to me. My questionis:(a) should I be wearing

safety goggles / glasses? (b) should these be provided

by my employer?

Answer 2(a) In accordance with thegeneral principles of preventionspecified in Schedule 3 of theSafety, Health and Welfare atWork Act 2005, Regulation 62of the General ApplicationRegulations 2007 and itsassociated guidance document,the employer has a duty to hisor her employees to avoid orlimit risks whenever possible byother methods of prevention orcontrol, such as engineeringcontrols or safe systems ofwork. Personal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE) should onlybe provided where risks cannotbe avoided or limited by othermeans.

Therefore, before youremployer provides you with thesafety goggles / glasses or anyPPE, he or she must takemeasures to:• Eliminate the risk,• Isolate the risk, and / or,• Bar access to hazard zones.

To decide on the mostappropriate controls, youremployer must carry out a riskassessment of your workplacetaking into consideration thehazards present, the risksinvolved with these hazards, thefrequency and number ofpeople that are exposed to the

hazard, the probability that thehazard could cause harm, thecontrols already in place andadditional controls required.Possible controls could includereplacing any dangerousarticles, substances or systemsof work with less dangerousones or by providing adequateengineering control measures,e.g. local exhaust ventilation.

(b) Under section 8(5) of theSafety Health and Welfare atWork Act 2005, no charge maybe made to a worker forthe provision of PPE which isused at work.

However, as the Guide toChapter 3 of Part 2 of theGeneral ApplicationRegulations 2007 explains,where an employee no longerworks for the company but hasretained the PPE, the employermay seek a contribution fromthe employee to the extent ofany loss to the employerresulting from the retention ofthe PPE.

Where PPE is used outside theplace of work, an employermay request the employeeinvolved to make a contributiontowards the cost of the PPE tothe extent of any loss to theemployer resulting from the useof the PPE outside the place ofwork.

Also, if a worker is self-employed then employers maycharge the worker for PPE.

For further information on thistopic please refer to the “Guideto the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work (GeneralApplication) Regulations 2007Chapter 3 of Part 2: PersonalProtective Equipment”. Thiscan be downloaded from theHSA website, www.hsa.ie.

Question 3I am the Health and SafetyOfficer in a largemanufacturing plant. Wehave many employees thatwear contact lenses duringwork. Can you please tell meif there are any knownreasons as to why wearingcontact lenses in amanufacturing environmentwould not be allowed?

Answer 3It is possible that the wearingof contact lenses could pose adanger to your employees. Forexample, a dusty atmosphere isknown to be a risk to thewearers of contact lenses; dustcan get trapped in the eye andcause irritation, a contact lensmay contain the dust which willprolong the irritation and mayresult in an infection of the eye.

I advise that you create aninventory of the products beingused in the manufacturingplant and check what controlsare required for their use. Thesecontrols should be included onthe product’s material safetydata sheet. This informationshould be included in your riskassessment along with detailsof the working environment,the work activity, the durationof work, frequency of work,etc.

One of the controls may bethat contact lenses should notbe worn. For example, the HSApublished an Information Sheettitled “Cementing Safely -Working with Cement”. In thisdocument it states: "Contact

Brian O'Connor, Health and Safety Advisor,

NISO


lenses should not be worn whenhandling cement or cementcontaining products”. I knowyou may not be working nearcement but this requirementcould be included in thecontrols of another product orchemical.

Question 4I own a small company in theconstruction sector. Many ofmy employees use ladderson a daily basis. Can youplease tell me:(a) Are they allowed to use

ladders? (b Do they need to be

trained and who shouldcarry out this training?

Answer 4(a) When the Work at HeightRegulations were firstintroduced many peoplethought that the purpose ofthese regulations was to banishthe use of ladders; I even heardstories of all ladders beingchained up on sites and peoplebanned from using them. Thisis not the case, ladders can beused for work at heightproviding that the riskassessment demonstrates thereis no other work equipmentmore suitable for the task.Therefore, the risk assessmentmust show that the use of aladder is preferred over the useof other work equipmentbecause:• The level of risk is low, e.g.light work, and,

• The work is of shortduration, or,

• Existing features at the placeof work cannot be altered.

The risk assessment will assistyou in the planning of the workactivity,equipment, etc... andthe level of supervisionrequired. You should also havea plan prepared for emergenciesand rescue.

(b) Falls from ladders accountfor at least one fatality eachyear so training in the safe useof ladders is very important. Asemployer of the company you

have a duty under section 8 (2)of the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work Act 2005 toprovide this training as well asthe necessary information,instruction and supervision toyour employees.

The training must be providedby a competent person. Acompetent person is defined inthe Safety Health and Welfareat Work Act 2005, Section 2 ofPart 1 as, "For the purpose ofthe relevant statutoryprovisions, a person is deemedto be a competent personwhere, having regard to the taskhe or she is required to performand taking account of the sizeor hazards (or both of them) ofthe undertaking orestablishment in which he orshe undertakes work, theperson possesses sufficienttraining, experience andknowledge appropriate to thenature of the work to be

undertaken".The key words outlined aboveare training, experience andknowledge. I always stress thatit is vital that all threecomponents are accounted forwhen deeming that someone iscompetent to carry out acertain task. As employer youhave to decide whether thetrainer is competent or not.

The HSA recommend thattraining in the safe use ofladders include the following:• How to visually check theladder before use,

• How to secure the ladder,• Avoid overreaching,• Importance of having threepoints of contact whileworking on a ladder,

• How to carry tools on aladder,

• Why the top three rungsshould be kept free,

• The requirement that laddersused for access should project

at least one metre beyond anylanding and be secured,

• How to protect members ofthe public,

• The correct angle (4:1 ratio), • How to cope with slopingfootpaths or slipperysurfaces,

• The dangers from overheadlines,

• What footwear should beused, and,

• The dangers of use in wet orwindy conditions.

For further information on thesafe use of ladders please viewthe HSA’s information sheettitled “Using Ladders Safely”and also the “Guide to theSafety, Health and Welfare atWork (General Application)Regulations 2007 Part 4: Workat Height”. These can bedownloaded from thewww.hsa.ie.

HELPLINE

The western region is one ofeight regions of NISO and isthe second largest inmembership. It covers thecounties of Mayo,Roscommon and Galwayand has a diverse amount ofindustries ranging frommanufacturing,construction,pharmaceutical, medicaldevices, agriculture,education and many varioussmall to medium enterprises(SME’s).

The Western region extends awarm welcome to allconference delegates for the2009 annual health and safetyconference and awardspresentation to be held on the24th & 25th September. Thewestern region first indicatedtheir interest in hosting theconference and awards as farback as February 2007 andthey indicated that thepreferred venue would be inMayo.

The Executive of NISO agreedto the proposal from the

western region. Then the workbegan, viewing hotels andvenues which would be suitableto host the event by way ofspace and accommodation asthe needs of the awardswinners, conferencedelegates andexhibitors had tobe met.

I was involved asa committeemember of thewestern regionon two previousoccasions during whichthe region hosted theevent. Theknowledge whichwasgainedfrom thisexperiencepreparedthe regionalcommittee tohost the event inMayo. The officersand committee of the westernregion look forward to meetingaward winners and conferencedelegates and they will beavailable to assist with thesmooth running of NISO’sannual supreme event.

The western region has alwaysbeing a strong supporter of thefoundation course, which wasrenamed as the NISOcertificate course. It hasbecome clear that during thesedifficult times, there is anupturn in the demand for theNISO certificate course atboth campuses of the GalwayMayo Institute of Technologyin Galway and Mayo. Overseventy five participants tookpart in this course in 2008 and

in the first half of 2009. Muchof this work has beenundertaken by the regionaltraining co-ordinator ColmanShaughnessy with the supportof the committee.

The western region has builtup strong links with theNational University of IrelandGalway and the Institutes ofTechnology in the westernregion over the years.

Our seminars were wellattended during 2008 and 2009and there was an increasednumber of visits to ourcompanies sites during thistime. In the Autumn of 2009the region will be running acourse for small to mediumenterprises (SME) based ontwo developed seminars, thefirst being a three hour riskassessment followed shortlyafterwards by a three hourseminar in relation to thepreparation of safetystatements. The purpose of thisis to prepare participants toenable them to go back to theirwork environments and carryout their own risk assessments,in preparation for completingthe safety statement.

Pauric Corrigan

NISO Western Regional FocusOn behalf of AllerganPharmaceutical Ireland,we welcome NISO tothe West of Ireland forthe annual Conferencescheduled forSeptember 2009.Allergan personnelactively participate inNISO run meetings,seminars and eventswith the aim ofeducating, informingand advancing thehealth and safetyculture within theorganisation. In thisregard; management,employees andcontractors workingwith AllerganPharmaceutical’sIreland are committedto excellence in health,safety and welfaremanagement andbelieve that this canonly be achievedthrough the activeparticipation andengagement ofstakeholders in thisendeavour.

Once again, we wishthe NISO organisingcommittee everysuccess with this year’sannual conference.

Tom Quinn, Health andSafety Manager, AllerganPharmacuticals Ireland,Westport, Co Mayowww.allergan.com

REGIONAL FOCUS


Pauric Corrigan, President, National Irish

Safety Organisation

Galway

Mayo Roscomm

on

Galway Mayo Institute of Technology


Safety Representative CourseCourse Length: 3 days, 0900-1600 October 5th, 6th, 7th

Health & Safety for the Non-Safety SpecialistCourse Course Length: 2 days, 0900-1600 September 28th, 29th

Manual Handling Instructor & Assessor Course Course Length: 5 days, 3 days on week 1 and 2 dayson week 2, 0900-1700 August 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st and September 1st orOctober 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st

Manual Handling Instructor & Assessor RefresherCourseCourse Length: 2 days, 0900-1700August 25th, 26th or October 14th, 15th

Basic Manual Handling CourseCourse Length: 1 day, 0900-1300 August 27th or October 7th

Safe Pass CourseCourse Length: 1 day, 0815-1700 August 28th and on a regular basis thereafter

Occupational First Aid Course FETAC Level 5Course Length: 3 days, 0900-1700September 14th, 15th, 16th

Occupational First Aid Refresher/Re-CertificationCourse FETAC Level 5Course Length: 1 day, 0900-1700 September 16th

VDU/DSE Assessors Course Course Length: 1.5 days, 0900-1700 on day one and0900-1300 on day 2November 4th & 5th

NISO Safety & Health at Work FETAC Level 5(NISO Training Centre, Dublin)Course Length: 11 weeks, Tuesdays 1400-1800Starting Tuesday 6th October till Tuesday 15thDecember

NISO Occupational Safety & Health Certificate2009In the regions, check www.niso.ie later on thismonth for more information or contact the regiondirectly

Athlone Institute of Technology, 21st September,[email protected]

Limerick Insititute of Technology, 22nd September,[email protected]

Tullamore VEC, 22nd September, [email protected]

Institute of Technology Tralee, 23rd September,[email protected]

Longford VEC, 23rd September, [email protected]

Cork Institute of Technology, 24th September,[email protected]

GMIT-Galway, 22nd September, [email protected]

GMIT-Castlebar, 23rd September, [email protected]

Date for Dundalk to be confirmed.

Seminar The Effects of a Pandemic such as Swine Flu onyour Business: How To Plan and ImplementBusiness ContinuityVenue: NISO Training Centre, A11 Calmount Park,Ballymount, Dublin 12Wednesday 9th September 2009; 1000-1300 Speaker: Shane Mooney, B Tec. Dip APMEmail: [email protected] or visit www.niso.ie/events

EVENTS

National Irish Safety OrganisationUpcoming Events – www.niso.ie

All courses are held at NISO’s Training Centre, Ballymount, Dublin 12, unless otherwise stated.For more information or to book on any of these courses, please send an email to [email protected] your details.

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