EMS & Associates were very proud to be associated with the preparation and publication of the recent Health & Safety Authority publication – “Ergonomics – Good Practice in the Irish Workplace” (2015) – and our client – MFP Plastics Ltd. – in preparing the case study of good ergonomic practice that we developed in-house following a Process Improvement Project(PIP).
MFP Plastics Limited manufactures a comprehensive range of PVCu drainage, roof-line and infrastructural duct products primarily for the Irish and UK markets. MFP is an ISO 9001 registered company and is part of Grafton Group PLC. MFP Plastics Limited was established in 1967 and is based at Lucan, County Dublin. The company operates from a large manufacturing and warehousing facility utilising the most up-to-date technology and equipment.
We aimed to reduce the number of lifting, twisting, turning and repetitive motions being carried out. Following an in-depth period of consultation we devised an engineering solution involving vacuum power lifters to reduce the impact on staff. The overall results have proven very successfully. 
Why not take a look – click here for a copy of the HSA Ergonomics – Good Practices in the Irish Workplace (2015) publication
Health & Safety News and Views
"Perform as a Leader" Book Launch
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were delighted to attend the launch of Orlaith Carmody’s Book – “Perform as a Leader” at Waterstone’s in Drogheda on Friday(25.09.2015). Orlaith is a former national newspaper journalist and co founder, with Gavin Duffy of training and business development company – mediatraining.ie
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”2049,2048″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Details can be found here – http://performasaleader.com/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
SENSES Workshop
EMS & Associates were delighted to participate in the SENSES Workshop, organised by Modig Corporate Services, in Barberstown Castle on 09.09.2015 – a great skills development day.
S h a r p n e s s
E m o t i o n a l I n t e l l i g e n c e
N e w O u t l o o k s
S t r e s s R e d u c t i o n
E n f o r c e m e n t
S t r u c t u r e s & S t a n d a r d s
Visit the Modig Corporate Services website for details of their upcoming courses…. click here – Modig!
Drogheda Chamber of Commerce – Facebook for Business Seminar 22.07.2015
A very informative Facebook seminar with Sixtwo Digital yesterday in the West Court Hotel. We were delighted to be the sponsor for Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce.
EMS & Associates proud sponsors of Facebook & Networking Seminar
On Wednesday July 22nd, Drogheda Chamber will be holding a Facebook workshop which will take place from 9.30 – 12 pm in The Westcourt Hotel. Colm Hanratty from sixtwo digital will be our guest speaker for this event. This workshop will cover best practices for sharing content, Facebook advertising, Facebook Insights, building a strategy and much more.
This event is kindly sponsored by EMS & Associates.EMS & Associates, who are based in East Coast Business Park in Drogheda, are Consultants, Auditors and Trainers specialising in Health & Safety and Business Management. They are a Quality Assured FETAC/QQI Training Centre, an Irish Heart Foundation Training Site and a Solas Approved Training Organisation and, this year, celebrated 20 years in business.
For more information and for booking details visit our website.
H.S.A. Safety Alert – Construction Sector
Operation of Fully Automatic Excavator Quick Hitches. (Disengaging the Bucket)
Following a recent incident, The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is issuing an urgent warning to Construction Employers, SOLAS CSCS Trainers and Excavator Drivers of the dangers associated with how certain types of automatic excavator quick-hitches are operated. The concern arises from the bucket on the quick-hitch disengaging more rapidly than the operator expects. This in turn could lead to the bucket falling on personnel causing serious injury or death.
The HSA understands that many operators do not expect excavator buckets attached via quick-hitches to disengage unless the bucket is “crowded” inwards (See Fig 1).
However this is not necessarily the case since with some designs once the disengagement switch is activated, the bucket may disengage rapidly. This will happen if there is a small build-up of hydraulic pressure in the quick-hitch. Such a build-up can happen in matter of seconds. The risk appears to be particularly pronounced on certain types of “tilt-rotate” type excavator attachments.
Operators should NEVER press the disengagement switch of a quick-hitch before the bucket has been landed to a stable landing space (See Fig 2), preferably its transport position. This space should be level and should be such that the bucket is not in danger of rolling or falling further.
The HSA also advises that disengagement switches must be fully maintained. This includes maintenance of a lock to prevent inadvertent operation and an audible signal to warn of the activation of the disengagement switch.
In certain instances there may be two separate couplers each with its own separate set of controls. This might be the case where one controller controls the coupling of an attachment such as a tilt-rotate mechanism to the excavator arm while a second controller might control the attachment of an excavator bucket to the tilt rotate mechanism. In such instances the operator should be aware of which controls operates which mechanism.
The owner and operator should always refer to the instruction manual in order to operate these attachments in a safe manner.
– See more at: http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Safety_Alerts/2015/Excavator_Quick_Hitch_2015/#sthash.rXw91L6f.dpuf
Note a bucket does not always need to be crowded to disengage.
Fig 1: Excavator Bucket “crowded” inward.
Fig 2: Ensure that Bucket is on a flat level stable surface before pressing the disengagement switch
