OHS news and updates
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will today Monday (22 May) begin a nationwide work related vehicle safety inspection and information campaign. The campaign will last two weeks and will focus on four key sectors: Transport and Logistics; Wholesale and Retail; Waste and Recycling and Manufacturing.
The purpose last 6 years, just under half (45%) of all workplace fatalities have involved vehicles. In the same period nearly one in five (18%) of all non-fatal accidents were vehicle related.
An analysis of HSA accident statistics indicates that the majority of these fatalities occurred during the manoeuvring, reversing or coupling and uncoupling of vehicles. Non-fatal injuries generally occurred during the manual handling of loads or as the result of falls from vehicles.
Deirdre Sinnott, Senior Inspector with the HSA says that the risks can be reduced by focusing on four key areas.
“Firstly, employers should have a vehicle risk management policy that covers all vehicle related activities in the workplace. This includes not only vehicles operated by employees but also those visiting that need to be managed and controlled. It is also important that procedures are in place to eliminate and control known risks associated with: driving for work, loading and unloading, deliveries and collections, parking, reversing and manoeuvring. Then safety information, instruction and training should be provided for all employees and finally, a method to record and learn from all incidents or near misses and take corrective action where necessary.”
There are free short on-line courses, aimed at helping employers to manage work related vehicle safety, on the HSA e-learning portal http://hsalearning.ie
Also, freely available guidance and resources can be found on the HSA website www.hsa.ie
REACH 10 year anniversary conference -15th June Dublin
This conference, hosted by the Health and Safety Authority, marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the REACH Regulation. Attendees will hear speakers from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the EU Commission, the Irish Competent Authority, NGOs and Irish industry representatives share their experiences of the past 10 years and speak about what they see as the emerging issues and challenges ahead.
The brochure for the event is available at the following link
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/News_Events_Media/Events/REACH_10_Year_Conference.pdf
On-line registration is now open for this free event but spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/reach-10-year-anniversary-conference-tickets-34233450171
HSA Launches a Free Chemical Safety in the Workplace Online Course
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched a short, interactive on-line course on Chemical Safety in the Workplace. The 30-minute course is free and can be accessed through the Authority’s e-learning portal, http://hsalearning.ie The course is aimed at employers and employees, including supervisors and health and safety representatives, in any sector where chemicals are used.
The course follows on from the introductory Chemical Safety in the Workplace course launched in 2016. It provides more detailed information on chemical safety including information on the different types of chemical hazards found in the workplace and the information available to protect workers and others when using these chemicals. Course objectives include learning about hazard pictograms, when and how to use the information contained on labels and safety data sheets (SDSs), and how to manage chemicals safely in the workplace.
Medical Fitness to Driver Guidelines and driver information leaflets
You can now access a copy of the new guidelines from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website using this link
http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/Sla%CC%81inte%20Agus%20Tioma%CC%81int%202017%20i.pdf
They have also launched three new driver information leaflets as part of this event;
- Epilepsy, Seizures and Driving
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Driving
- Emergency Department (ED): getting back to driving after an injury
All six of the leaflets that we produced so far can be accessed also from the RSA website using the following link
http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Safe-driving/Medical-Issues/
Work PositiveCI
The State Claims Agency, the Health and Safety Authority, and CISM Network Ireland launched Work PositiveCI , which is a free easy to use online, innovative, confidential, psychosocial management process. The event was attended by Mr. Pascal Dononhoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Mr. Pat Breen TD, Minister for Employment and Small Business.
Work PositiveCI is a psychosocial risk management process that helps organisations identify ways to improve employee well being. It provides feedback on workplace stressor, employee psychological wellbeing and critical incident exposure in the workplace. For further information, please click on Work PositiveCI
Workers’ Memorial Day – 28 April 2017
Friday 28 April is an important date nationally and worldwide when we remember people killed or injured in work-related accidents.
Together with ICTU, HSA and the Construction Industry Federation, we are asking you to mark Friday 28 April in your diary and to support this important day in whatever way you can.
There are a range of initiatives that your organisation could consider including:
- Help create awareness by using the official national Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland logo on your websites, social media presence, presentations, email signatures, displays and in offices and workplaces
- Website/Social Media/Newsletter content
- In-house training sessions or a toolbox talk
- Guest speaker presentation to your staff
- Press release to your local/national media marking your event / the day
For further information, click on Workers’ Memorial Day or contact Gavin Lonergan, Head of Communications at the HSA (gavin@hsa.ie or 01 799 7838)
One-in-four road deaths in Ireland is work-related, study shows
Nearly a quarter of all road traffic fatalities in Ireland are work-related, according to a new report published by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). The report by Professor Anne Drummond of UCD, analysed the coroner records on all road traffic fatalities in Ireland over a four-year period (2008-2011). The coroner files include a wealth of information in post-mortem reports, toxicology reports, police reports, and depositions and witness statements. Please click on Fatal collisions on the road and safety and health for full report
OSHwiki article in the spotlight: Ergonomics in office work
Office work is diverse and although widely regarded as low risk environments, the large (and growing) proportion of employees within the EU who work in office environments means that a significant number of workers are potentially exposed to any risks to their health that might arise. A new OSHwiki article highlights the risks and hazards facing office workers and categorises them into four major groups depending on their nature: postural problems, psychosocial factors, environment and the ones linked to intensity and design of the office. Click ergonomics in the workplace for more information
Accidents, deaths and health problems at work: data sources of the costs for Europe
Each year, work-related accidents result in long periods of absence from work, and even death. Furthermore, a significant proportion of Europe’s working population suffers from one or more work-related health problems. As a first step towards estimating the Europe-wide costs of work-related health problems, accidents and deaths, EU-OSHA has produced a new report evaluating the quality and comparability of the available data that can be used to determine those costs. Click accident costs in Europe for more information
Public consultation on inclusion of substances on the Authorisation List
ECHA has published their latest draft recommendation for the inclusion of the following substances on the Authorisation List.
- Karanal group
- NMP (EC No 212-828-1)
- UV-328 (EC No 247-384-8)
- UV-327 (EC No 223-383-8)
- UV-350 (EC No 253-037-1)
- UV-320 (EC No 223-346-6)
- 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C6-10-alkyl esters and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mixed, decyl, hexyl and octyl diesters with 0.3% duhexyl phthalate or greater (EC Nos 271-094-0 and 272-013-1)
Stakeholders are invited to comment on the priority of the substances, their uses, possible exemptions from the authorisation requirement, the structure and complexity of supply chains, and on the proposed transitional arrangements by the 2 June 2017. Please click Draft recommendation for inclusion in the Authorisation List and public consultation for more information
New binding OELVs to be added to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive
The European Commission proposes to amend the annexes to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD;2004/37/EC) by expanding its scope and including additional binding occupational exposure limit values (BOELVs) for several cancer-causing chemical agents. The first wave of amendment proposals include limits for 13 chemicals agents; the second wave includes limits for a further 7 chemical agents and additional skin notations. The first wave of proposals are currently with the European Parliament, who will vote on the next amendments in April 2017. A third batch proposal is anticipated in 2018. Please click on the following link for more information https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/1/2016/EN/1-2016-248-EN-F1-1.PDF
Conference marking the 10 year anniversary of REACH
The Health & Safety Authority will hold an event in Dublin on 15 June 2017, to mark the 10 year anniversary of the entry into force of REACH. Speakers at the event will include representatives from the European Commission and ECHA. Irish stakeholders interested in attending this event are advised to save the date
Occupational First Aid Update from the HSA
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council has agreed to transition to one national harmonised standard for Occupational First Aid training in Ireland.
This statement is issued to address queries received in relation to Occupational First Aid during the transition period. The Occupational First Aid Assessment Agent (OFAAA) was established by the Health and Safety Authority for the purpose of:
- Administering the training of Occupational First Aid practitioners; and
- Assessing Occupational First Aid Instructors
As and from 31 October 2016, OFAAA ceased to exist and the HSA has not appointed any other party to carry out OFAAA functions. There have been no OFAAA Occupational First Aid Instructor assessments since 1 November 2016. Since 1 November 2016 any Occupational First Aid Instructor assessments carried out by any party will not have been by or on behalf of OFAAA.
For the avoidance of any doubt:
- The HSA currently only recognises OFAAA Occupational First Aid Instructor assessments carried out prior to 1 November 2016.
- The HSA does not recognise any Occupational First Aid Instructor assessments which may have been carried out since 1 November 2016 as these have not been carried out by or on behalf of OFAAA.
The HSA only recognises OFA training carried out by OFAAA assessed Instructors and organisations. Furthermore it should be noted that www.ofaaa.ie , www.ofaaa.com , info@ofaaa.ie and certification@ofaaa.ie have had no function connected with OFAAA since 1 November 2016.
Note: Please be vigilant when procuring Occupational First Aid training.
Managing Workplace Bullying Complaints – HSA launches free online course for employers and managers
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched a free short online course, aimed at assisting employers in managing workplace bullying complaints. It can be accessed through the HSA e-learning portal http://hsalearning.ie. The 30 minute online course will help employers and managers to understand the nature of bullying complaints and to deal with them appropriately.
The course covers key areas such as what is specific to a bullying complaint, examples of bullying and non-type complaints as well as guidance on the appropriate and inappropriate reaction of managers. It concludes with the anti-bullying policy and the type of information that should be contained in this workplace document.
At the end of this course learners should be able to:
- identify a bullying-type complaint, whether verbal or written;
- understand the need to take care in how managers react to such complaints;
- recognise the particular dangers associated with reacting in a casual, off-hand or insensitive way to such complaints;
- implement the appropriate policy documents to prevent bullying issues and to properly manage these issues; and
- source workplace bullying information.
REACH 2018
If you manufacture chemical substances or import them from outside the EU above one tonne per year, you may have registration obligations under REACH. Additionally, if you manufacture or import a product (mixture, article), it may contain substances that need to be registered individually.
If you have pre-registered substances that you manufacture or import from outside the EU above one tonne but not more than 100 tonnes per year and have not already registered them, the REACH registration deadline of 31 May 2018 concerns you. If you haven't yet pre-registered your substance, late pre-registration may still be an option until 31 May 2017.
For more information please click on REACH 2018
Buyers warned to beware of banned chemicals present in jewellery and glues
The HSA is participating in a European-wide enforcement campaign to assess the presence of restricted chemicals in jewellery, glues and adhesives. Inspections will be undertaken primarily at the point of sale so at retailers premises and from website on line sales.
The chemicals cadmium, nickel and lead are banned in jewellery while benzene, chloroform and toluene are banned in glues and adhesives.These are of concern if the jewellery items are mouthed, as small ‘jewel’ can be ingested and these could contain lead and cadmium. Retailers/importers should insist on certificate of compliance from manufacturer/importer with laboratory analysis from reputable laboratory.
For more information on REACH restricted chemicals see the HSA website at http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Chemicals/Legislation_Enforcement/REACH/Restriction/
Online Course on Managing Driving for Work
The Health and Safety Authority has developed this course in partnership with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority. To educate employers about safe driving for work practices and the benefits of implementing driving for work risk management practices. Access this course at www.hsalearning.ie