Health & Safety News and Views

NEW LEGISLATION

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Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 36 of 2016)

“These Regulations amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) as previously amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007), the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 176 of 2010) and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application)(Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 445 of 2012) by inserting Part 11 (Woodworking Machines), Part 12 (Abrasive Wheels) and Part 13 (Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces) as well as adding Schedule 13 (Woodworking Machines) and Schedule 14 (Training and Instruction) to the Regulations. The collective Regulations shall be cited together as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 to 2016.
The purpose of the Regulations is to bring specific workplace safety matters relating to Woodworking Machines, Abrasive Wheels and Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces within the scope of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 following the repeal of corresponding Regulations made under the Factories Act 1955, as amended by the Safety in Industry Act 1980.
The Regulations are designed to retain, by means of amendments to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, the aspects of the provisions of Regulations under the Factories Act that remain relevant and are therefore reproduced in line with the new legislative format.
These Regulations revoke and replace 3 individual sets of Regulations—
(a)   Factories (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations, 1972. (S.I. No. 203 of 1972),
(b)   Factories (Abrasive Blasting Of Surfaces) Regulations, 1974. (S.I. No. 357 of 1974), and
(c) Safety in Industry (Abrasive Wheels) Regulations, 1982. (S.I. No. 30 of 1982).
These Regulations shall come into operation from 1 July, 2016

Regulations to transpose European Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields)

It is intended to introduce Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Electromagnetic Fields) Regulations 2016 to transpose this Directive on or before the transposition date of 1 July 2016. The European Commission has published guides to good practice for implementing Directive 2013/35/EU Electromagnetic Fields, and the guides and further information are available here.

Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015)

The above is a direct link to the Regulations.
The purpose of these Regulations, which have been made under the Chemical Acts 2008 and 2010, is to transpose “Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC” (which is known for convenience as the SEVESO III Directive). They also make a number of consequential amendments necessitated by the transposition of Directive 2012/18/EU to the Chemical Acts 2008 and 2010, which are set out in Regulation 6.
The Regulations replace with effect from 1 June 2015-
(i) the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 74 of 2006), and
(ii) the European Union (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 571 of 2013).
The latter Regulations have formally been repealed by a separate statutory instrument made under the European Communities Act 1972, as amended

European Union (Prevention of Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Sector) Regulations 2014

The above is a direct link to the Regulations.
The purpose of these Regulations is to transpose into Irish law Council Directive 2010/32/EU of 10 May 2010 implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector concluded by HOSPEEM and EPSU. This Directive represents the first occupational safety and health Directive generated through social partners/dialogue mechanism.
The Regulations relate to the risks posed by sharps to those working in healthcare. They implement specific control measures to protect employees at risk, and require an appropriate response in the event of an incident occurring.
The Regulations build on the more general duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations, 2013 (S.I. No. 572 of 2013) which apply across all industry sectors.
The Regulations define sharps as ‘objects or instruments necessary for the exercise of specific healthcare activities, which are able to cut, prick or cause injury or infection’. This includes equipment such as needles, blades (such as scalpels) and other sharp medical instruments.
The Regulations apply to all employers and employees in the healthcare sector.
This includes nurses, medical practitioners, nursing auxiliaries and assistants, cleaners, dental nurses, paramedics, home carers etc. The Regulations apply to students working in healthcare, self-employed persons in healthcare and any employees employed by organisations contracted to provide services for healthcare organisations such as cleaners and other ancillary staff.
An employer in healthcare is an employer whose main activity is the managing, organising and provision of healthcare (“healthcare employer”). These Regulations also apply to other employers who provide services to a healthcare employer, under the authority of a healthcare employer or in a healthcare employer’s place of work. The duties on this employer only apply insofar as the employer has control over the relevant activities of their relevant employees.
Where an employee of a healthcare employer provides healthcare services in another employer’s workplace or in the home of a patient, the employer will be required to comply with the proposed Regulations. Employers whose main activity is not the provision of healthcare but whose employees may work with sharps will not fall within the scope of the Regulations (unless they are working on the premises of a healthcare employer who is subject to the proposed Regulations). Therefore organisations such as schools and prisons are not subject to the Regulations even though they might employ medical staff. Those employers remain subject to existing health and safety legislation

Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 2013

The above is a direct link to the Regulation. Further information on the Regulations can be found here.

Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (SI 291)

The purpose of these Regulations is to prescribe the main requirements for the protection of the safety, health and welfare of persons working on construction sites and to give further effect to Council Directive 92/57/EEC on the minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites.
These Regulations are designed to clarify and strengthen the general duties of all parties as regards securing occupational safety, health and welfare in construction work, including those of Clients, Project Supervisors, Designers, Contractors and Employees.
These Regulations apply to all construction projects including the alteration, decoration, maintenance and repair of buildings and the installation, maintenance and removal of mechanical and other systems fixed within or to structures. They place obligations on clients and designers to ensure that safety and health is taken into account before any construction work begins.
These Regulations replace and revoke the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 504 of 2006 ), the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 ( S.I. No. 130 of 2008 ), the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 ( S.I. No. 423 of 2008 ), the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 ( S.I. No. 523 of 2010 ), the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 ( S.I. No. 461 of 2012 ), the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012 ( S.I. No. 481 of 2012 ) and Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 ( S.I. No. 182 of 2013 ).]
These Regulation came into operation on 1 August 2013.”
Courtesy of the Health & Safety Authority.

Safe Pass Courses Drogheda

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Safe Pass is a 1 day Safety Awareness Course which meets the needs of construction workers and allied trades to comply with the Construction Regulations 2006(S4) and is valid for 4 years.
All candidates must bring 1 x Passport Size Photograph, PPS Numbers and an acceptable form of photographic ID e.g. driving licence/passport etc.) on the day of the course. The course is delivered through the English language and candidates must have a good working knowledge of English.
The course starts at 8.00am sharp and finishes at 5.00pm. Any person arriving late may not be granted access to the course and be liable for the course fee.
The Course Fee for Safe Pass is €100.00 including Solas Registration – the fee includes a light lunch and refreshments.
Safe Pass Training can be booked online or by phone, 041-9822933.

Workplace Wellbeing Day 2016

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National Workplace Wellbeing Day
Launching Workplace Wellbeing Day 2016, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said: “A healthy workplace is a happier and more productive workplace. That’s true for both staff and employers. We spend so much of our lives at work that it makes sense for so many reasons to foster a healthy workplace. It creates a happier environment, reduces sick leave, increases productivity, and helps to beat the Monday blues. So I would encourage everyone to take part on the day. The Government will also shortly be launching a new obesity policy so I’m encouraged that industry is already taking a role to improve public health.”
Small Firms Association Director, Patricia Callan said “Over 4 million days are lost in Ireland due to absenteeism by small businesses alone³. As this research shows, employers of all sizes and from all sectors are doing a lot already. But employers should do more to promote these initiatives and encourage staff to get involved. Workplace wellbeing is in everyone’s interest and 8th April is a good day to start.”
 

What can your company do?

Top 10 activities that companies undertook for WWB Day 2015
1. Healthy eating initiatives
2. Health screening
3. (Lunchtime) walks
4. Fruit bowls
5. Mindfulness/yoga for staff
6. Promotion of bike to work scheme
7. Smoothies
8. Promotion of membership at nearest gym
9. Training for a 5K run
10. Pedometer challengesWorkplace Wellbeing Day ideas to get you started ….

  • 5-a-day…place fresh fruit bowls around the office
  • Offer new healthy options on canteen menus and in vending machines
  • Host healthy meetings – download our guidelines
  • Organise special employee health screenings on the day
  • Promote lunchtime walks & runs – identify local routes of varying length and difficulty
  • Invite a local gym or personal trainer in to host special exercise classes in your premises
  • Arrange healthy cooking demonstrations in the canteen
  • 5 –a-side – between departments or neighbouring companies
  • Bring in experts for wellbeing talks on topics selected by your staff
  • Promote the cycle to work scheme

Courtesy of Nutrition & Health Foundation

Fact or Fiction: Health & Safety Costs Money?

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Health & Safety Costs
A common question we are asked is “How much is this going to cost?” Well,  health and safety costs money doesn’t it? Installing safety devices, training, monitoring, checks and inspections, not to mention time spent on paperwork, it all adds up. So how can health and safety save you money?
Well yes, it is true to say that health and and safety management and measures cost money. But there is also a return on investment – the ROI, and of course, a cost to not having any health and safety measures in place.
Take this simple example, there is a cost of £50.00 to replace a guard on a piece of machinery. There is no other purpose for the guard except to stop the risk of entanglement or personal injury to an employee. £50.00 is the cost.
So why not save yourself money and not put the guard in place – there are 3 guiding principles in health and safety – the legal requirement, the economic requirement and the moral requirement. The question is always – “have you met your health and safety requirements?”. If you don’t put the guard in place and a person is injured then the person is off work for two weeks, you bear the costs involved of downtime, staff cover, equipment damage and investigation – not forgetting that you have to report this accident to the Health & Safety Authority. The total costs could be around £750.00. Now add in any possible payouts for fines and legal costs that may follow and the increase in insurance premiums.
Look at the £50.00 safety measure that could have prevented that accident, and automatically you have saved yourself €700.00.Penny wise and pound foolish! You are probably thinking that this makes sense but you might just see that £50 cost, and not really consider that you have just saved your business a whole lot of money and hassle.
This is just a simple example, but you can learn from other health and safety failings to appreciate the cost of failing to put in place good health and safety management.
With health and safety the return on investment is rarely immediate. There is a risk of much higher costs in the future, due to that health and safety failing.Health and safety measures might not just save you money against future costs. Health and safety measures might also save you money from costs that are already eating into your business profits.
For example, a business might identify a problem with manual handling within the workforce. Regular absences due to back issues, slips, trips and falls, and general accidents and ill health surrounding the movement of materials on site.
Adding up the costs of absences, loss of productivity, downtime, staff cover, staff turnover and recruitment costs, over a year period, is costing this fictional business in the region of £50,000 additional costs.
Once this has been identified, the business invests £10,000 in extra measures including new equipment, training, a campaign to raise awareness and better monitoring.
The results were that the company saved a staggering 50% of the costs they were experiencing due to poor manual handling practices.

Cost: Annual Saving: Saving (5 Years):
-£10,000 £25,000 £115,000

The above might be a fictional example, but the potential cost savings are real.
When looking at the cost of health and safety, don’t just think about how much you will need to spend to put better health and safety practices and procedures in the place, but also the savings that you could make.

New Woodworking, Abrasive Wheels and Abrasive Blasting Regulations – July 1 2016

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Abrasive Wheels

New regulations on woodworking machines, abrasive wheels and abrasive blasting of surfaces were published on the 29th January 2016 and will come into force on July 1st 2016.
The new regulations are being brought into force as part of the General Application Regulations. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2016 (SI 36/2016) introduce three new parts and two new schedules to the General Application Regulations:

  • Part 11: Woodworking Machines
  • Part 12: Abrasive Wheels
  • Part 13: Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces
  • Schedule 13: Woodworking Machines
  • Schedule 14: Training and Instruction.

The new regulations repeal the:

  • Factories (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations 1972 (SI 203/1972)
  • Factories (Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces) Regulations 1974 (SI 357/1974)
  • Safety in Industry (Abrasive Wheels) Regulations 1982 (SI 30/1982).

WOODWORKING MACHINES REGULATIONS

The new regulations include definitions and cover space around machines, guarding and protection, maintenance of machines, dust, circular sawing machines, band sawing machines, planing machines and vertical spindle machines. The full list of machines is set out in schedule 13.  There are provisions on training, instruction and information.

ABRASIVE WHEELS REGULATIONS

The new regulations include definitions. The regulations apply to the use of any abrasive wheel for grinding or cutting at a place of work. The regulations deal with the use of abrasive wheels, speed of revolution, mounting of abrasive wheels and guarding and rests for workplaces and flanges. Schedule 14 deals with training and instruction.

ABRASIVE BLASTING OF SURFACES REGULATIONS

Again the regulations include definitions. The regulations apply to all places of work in which blasting is done, with the exception of blasting enclosures for cleaning of castings, , enclosures, blasting apparatus and ventilating plant. The regulations provide for the provision of blasting apparatus, enclosures, ventilating plant. The regulations include rules on the prohibition of silica, the protection of employees and other persons and also of persons under 18.

Click here to obtain a copy of the new regulations:

GAR 2007-2016 Woodworking-Abrasive Wheels – Abrasive Blasting Regulations

WELCOME

Following the enactment of the new regulations, the General Application Regulations will in future be cited as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 2007 to 2016. Both the HSA and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are to be congratulated on bringing in the regulations as part of the General Application Regulations. It is a welcome easing of the administrative burden, without impacting on the protection of workers.
Courtesy – Health & Safety Review