12th September Retailers and consumers urged to check the safety information on reed diffuser bottles following recent Health and Safety Authority market surveillance campaign.Following information received from the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) in Beaumont Hospital regarding an increase in the number of children accidentally drinking the liquid contained in fragrance reed diffusers, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) undertook a targeted inspection campaign to ensure reed diffuser and refills for reed diffusers available in Ireland do not contain any restricted ingredients and display the relevant safety information on the bottles.The number of calls to the NPIC about reed diffusers increased by nearly 300% between 2015 and 2021 (from 34 in 2015 to 133 in 2021).In 2020 the NPIC received reports on 78 children who drank reed diffuser liquid. Most of these children were under 3.The HSA checked compliance on 41 different brands of reed diffusers available in Ireland. The findings of this inspection campaign highlighted that while many of the products sold did display the relevant safety information on the outer packaging, they failed to include safety information on the inner bottle as required.Since the outer packaging is normally discarded after purchase, the lack of a hazard label on the diffuser bottle itself could result in a delay in the appropriate medical treatment of a child who is accidentally exposed to the contents. The composition of these products can vary so when the NPIC receives a call from a caregiver it's important that the composition can be identified correctly, to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place.The HSA highlights to consumers the importance of reading the label before purchasing household products - since many household products contain chemicals which can have harmful effects following accidental exposure or when the safety information is not followed.   Some household products may be harmful if swallowed, result in skin reactions or may result in long-term skin sensitisation to the chemical contents.Yvonne Mullooly, Assistant Chief Executive, Chemicals & Industrial Product, HSA stated “On concluding the inspection campaign we continue to review the current issues around hazardous chemicals contained in reed diffusers for sale on the Irish market and any lack of compliance with packaging and labelling requirements. We would urge retailers in the first instance to ensure the products they’re selling contain the relevant safety information in line with chemicals legislation. We also encourage consumers to educate themselves on buying products that are safe. The Authority has guidance for both retailers and consumers available on the HSA website along with a podcast that provides consumers with advice when buying products containing chemicals online. I would urge people to engage and familiarise themselves with our available guidance.”Patricia Casey, Manager, National Poison Information Centre- Beaumont Hospital stated “Accidental exposure to chemicals can be very dangerous for small children and we work in close collaboration with the Health and Safety Authority alerting them to relevant incidents. If the liquid from a reed diffuser comes into contact with the eyes it can cause pain or if swallowed, it can result in vomiting, cough or drowsiness. It can also cause a rash if it comes into contact with the skin. Our advice is for parents, grandparents and childminders to keep reed diffusers out of reach and to read the safety information on the label. In case of accidental exposure, if the liquid is swallowed rinse as much of the liquid as possible from the mouth with water and do not to induce vomiting. If it comes into contact with the skin, wash thoroughly. If it gets into the eyes, rinse carefully with water for 10-15 minutes. Then contact the National Poison Information Centre (01 - 809 2166) to seek advice on whether medical attention is needed.”Further informationReed diffusers are commonly used to add fragrance to a room.  Reeds are inserted into a glass bottle or glass jar of scented diffuser oil, the reeds soak up the scent and emit a fragrant aroma over time. Refills are sold to replace or top up the liquid in the diffuser.The HSA have also published a podcast for consumers on buying products that are safe and a leaflet guiding retailers on their duties when selling chemicals online and in-store. HSA podcast: Smart Online Consumer: Buying Products that are SafeHSA leaflet: Retailers Duties when Selling Chemical Products Online and In-storeFurther information is available on the HSA website www.hsa.ie/chemicals and for any questions please contact our chemicals helpdesk [email protected] inspection campaign was undertaken between November 2021 and March 2022.ENDSFor further information or to arrange media please contact Aoife Moroney-Ward on 086 8036141 or email [email protected] Adblock test (Why?)

5th July 2022The Health and Vulnerable Persons Working Group of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC) at the HSA recognizes the significant pressures and challenges faced by farmers in relation to their mental and physical wellbeing. The FSPAC Working Group have developed two resources to assist farmers in looking after their physical and mental health. The guidance published today offers advice on the various health issues that pertain to farmers and their work. The second is a mental health awareness video highlighting the story of a farmer who struggled with his mental health and importantly how he eventually reached out and took the first step to seek the support he needed. Research on the health of Irish farmer’s shows that farmers are at high risk of:Heart disease Stroke Overweight/obesity Back pain  Lung issues Hearing loss Skin problems and skin cancersStress and Mental health issuesLaunching the HSA’s health and wellbeing supports at today’s Teagasc Beef  Open day 2022, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD said “I welcome these new resources and believe the guidance offered gives clear advice on occupational health and safety concerns on the day-to-day work of the farming community and their families. The mental health awareness video shows the importance of farmers reaching out and getting the help and support when needed the most. I would like to commend the bravery of those participants involved in highlighting the importance of “Taking that First Step” to reach out. Farmers often work in isolation so I encourage everyone to use these resources to help recognise health problems early on, and to get the help needed from your local GP or healthcare provider.My thanks to the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee at the HSA for developing these useful resources and for recognising the importance of promoting better health for farmers and their families.  I look forward to seeing the Partnership’s ongoing in delivering on its latest Farm Safety Action Plan 2021- 2024.”In publishing the Guidance and Mental Health Awareness video Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector at the HSA said “The work of a farmer is often unpredictable, demanding and can be hazardous. We are urging farmers to take time to assess their wellbeing and put plans in place on how they will address their health concerns. Taking the time to review your mental and physical health is important and in some cases a health issue that arises could significantly increase your risk of a serious farming injury or worse, a fatal accident. Remember, the saying “Your health is your wealth” is true in farming.”   Ciaran Roche, Chair of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC) stated that “The FSPAC was established to reduce the level of fatalities, serious injuries and ill health in the agriculture sector in Ireland. Last year we launched our Farm Safety Action Plan 2021-2024 where we identified five critical areas for attention including Health and Vulnerable Persons. In delivering this guidance and the mental health awareness video we are delivering on the objectives of the Action Plan and we urge famers to priorities their health and overall wellbeing.”Both the Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing – A guide to staying healthy while farming and the Mental Health Awareness Video is now available.Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing – A guide to staying healthy while farming Mental Health Awareness Video   Submission completed, thank you! Adblock test (Why?)

07 June 2022The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has today, Tuesday 7th June, published its Annual Report 2021 highlighting the broad scope of work activity carried out during the year, including its range of tools and supports to enable enterprises, employers and employees to meet their statutory obligations for the goods they manufacture or import, while ensuring they keep themselves, and their workplaces healthy and safe.  In this, the final year of its strategic cycle, the Authority also laid the groundwork in 2021 for its next strategy, which will see the organisation grow significantly to deliver an additional focus on occupational health hazards, in particular those associated with psychosocial and ergonomic risks, and exposure to chemical and biological agents. Key highlights from the 2021 Annual Report include:A total of 7,477 inspections were completed across all sectors in 2021, with a further 1,109 investigations completed on foot of incident reports and complaints received.Of the 7,477 proactive inspections in 2021, 1,383 inspections were completed in relation to chemicals and of these 666 inspections were carried out in relation to carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR).Market Surveillance activities resulted in 87 chemical product types being removed from the Irish market and an additional 61 products being removed from sale to the general public due to non-compliances with labelling and packaging requirements. A total of 970 chemical products and 150 industrial products on the Irish market were assessed for compliance with technical requirements.The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) awarded 18 new accreditations with a further 342 decisions on re-accreditation being made. 23 new applications for accreditation were also received by INAB in 2021, with 166 applications for extension to scope received from existing accredited clients.In 2021 INAB developed a future-focused strategy for accreditation 2022–2026. This is the first such strategy statement for accreditation in Ireland and has been developed to recognise the role accreditation will play in supporting Government, enterprise, regulators and consumers now and in the future.2021 saw a welcome reduction in work-related fatalities, with a total of 38 reported compared to 54 in 2020, a decline of 30% and the lowest recorded since the Authority’s formation in 1989.A range of free Enterprise, Employer and Employee supports continue to draw significant engagement and in 2021 alone there were: 125,364 downloads of the HSA’s COVID 19 checklists and templates.There were 8,672 new registrations on BeSmart.ie, bringing the total number to 86,834.56,804 online courses were taken on hsalearning.ie in 2021.The Choose Safety programme (2020/21) was delivered to 27,494 students in 564 post-primary schools and higher education institutions.Welcoming the HSA Annual Report 2021, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, said, “Although the Health and Safety Authority saw a lower work-related fatality figure of 38 in Ireland last year, their continued focus is vital in areas such as farming, healthcare and construction where there is higher risk of occupational injury or illness. The HSA has been very successful in promoting use of their many free online tools, courses and supports and I’d encourage all employers and workers, including the self-employed, to avail of them.”“Earlier this year I welcomed the Authority’s new Strategy Statement 2022-2024 and I look forward to seeing the Authority expand its workforce in order to deliver on its broad remit, working in collaboration with employers and employees, towards safer and healthier workplaces in Ireland.”In addition to developing its next Strategy Statement, the Authority also progressed the establishment of a new division, with an emphasis on occupational health. This development, which will see significant scale up in staff numbers over the coming months, will allow the Authority to structure and organise itself for the future delivery of its wide mandate.In delivering the HSA Annual Report 2021, the Health and Safety Authority’s CEO, Dr Sharon McGuinness stated, “In 2021 we set out to achieve tangible outcomes across our mandate which includes occupational safety and health (OSH), accreditation, chemicals, and market surveillance. In delivering our strategic objectives from 2019-2021, the Authority continued to encourage and support enterprises in taking responsibility for their compliance, taking appropriate and proportionate enforcement action when needed. We also worked closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on legislative developments and proposals.Looking ahead, the Authority will continue to serve an ever-changing work environment in Ireland and it is important that the organisation evolves in parallel to achieve best outcomes. As we continue to prioritise our goals to promote, regulate, accredit, and influence the areas across our mandate, the Authority is expanding its workforce and re-organising its structure to introduce a new Occupational Health division. This new division will centre its focus on various safety and health concerns in Irish workplace including the impacts of the pandemic in accelerating the move to remote/hybrid working, the continued growth of the ‘gig economy’, the particular needs of vulnerable workers and migrant groups, and the impact of psychosocial issues in the workplace.”On review of the year 2021, the Authority’s Chairman, Tom Coughlan, said, “There was significant collaboration between the Authority, various government agencies, and employer and employee groups in 2021 in the development of a wide range of supports, including coordination of the cross-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also welcomed significant outputs from the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee in publishing its latest Action Plan for 2021-2024 and the Constructions Safety Partnerships’ Action Plan 2022-2024. The Authority will continue to collaborate and partner with these groups in order to successfully raise further awareness of our key strategic priorities. We also encourage enrolling Safety Representatives in workplaces to ensure employers and employees work in collaboration to ensure safe and healthy work practices.”Read or download the HSA Annual Report 2021 / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2021  Read or download the latest HSA Strategy Statement 2022-2024Adblock test (Why?)

 07 Meitheamh 2022Tá an tÚdarás Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta (HSA) tar éis Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2021 dá chuid a fhoilsiú inniu, Dé Máirt, 7 Meitheamh, tuarascáil ina dtarraingítear aird ar an raon leathan gníomhaíocht oibre a rinneadh i rith na bliana, lena n-áirítear a raon uirlisí agus tacaíochtaí d’fhiontair, d’fhostóirí agus d’fhostaithe chun a chur ar a gcumas a n-oibleagáidí reachtúla a chomhlíonadh le haghaidh na n-earraí a dhéanann nó a iompórtálann siad, chomh maith lena chinntiú go gcoinníonn siad iad féin agus a n-ionaid oibre sláintiúil agus sábháilte.  In 2021, bliain deiridh a thimthrialla straitéisigh, leag an tÚdarás síos bunchloch dá chéad straitéis eile, tráth a dtiocfaidh fás suntasach ar an eagraíocht chun béim bhreise a chur ar ghuaiseacha sláinte ceirde, go háirithe iad siúd a bhaineann le rioscaí síceasóisialta agus eirgeanamaíochta, agus nochtadh d’oibreáin cheimiceacha agus bhitheolaíocha. Áirítear le príomh-bhuaicphointí Thuarascáil Bhliantúil 2021:Cuireadh 7,477 cigireacht i gcrích ar fud na n-earnálacha ar fad in 2021, agus cuireadh 1,109 imscrúdú eile i gcrích i bhfianaise tuairiscí ar thimpistí agus gearáin a fuarthas.As an 7,477 cigireacht réamhghníomhach in 2021, rinneadh 1,383 cigireacht ar cheimiceáin, agus astu siúd bhain 666 cigireacht le hiompar earraí contúirteacha de bhóthar (ADR).Mar gheall ar ghníomhaíochtaí faireachais margaidh, baineadh 87 cineál táirge cheimicigh de mhargadh na hÉireann agus cuireadh deireadh le díol 61 táirge eile leis an bpobal ginearálta mar gheall ar neamhchomhlíonadh na gceanglas lipéadaithe agus pacáistithe. Rinneadh measúnú ar 970 táirge ceimiceach agus 150 táirge tionsclaíoch ar mhargadh na hÉireann le feiceáil ar chomhlíon siad ceanglais theicniúla.Bhronn Bord Náisiúnta na hÉireann um Chreidiúnú (INAB) 18 gcreidiúnú nua, agus rinneadh 342 cinneadh eile faoi athchreidiúnú. Fuair INAB 23 iarratas nua ar chreidiúnú in 2021 freisin, agus fuarthas 166 iarratas ar shíneadh le raon feidhme ó chliaint chreidiúnaithe reatha.In 2021, d’fhorbair INAB straitéis 2022–2026 le haghaidh creidiúnú, straitéis atá dírithe ar an todhchaí. Is í seo an chéad ráiteas straitéise dá leithéid le haghaidh an chreidiúnaithe in Éirinn, agus forbraíodh í chun aitheantas a thabhairt don ról a bheidh ag an gcreidiúnú i dtacú leis an Rialtas, fiontair, rialálaithe agus tomhaltóirí anois agus amach anseo.Sa bhliain 2021, bhí laghdú ar cuireadh fáilte roimhe ar bhásuithe a bhain leis an obair, agus 38 bás tuairiscithe i gcomparáid le 54 in 2020, titim 30% agus an líon is lú a taifeadadh ó bunaíodh an tÚdarás in 1989.Lean raon tacaíochtaí saor in aisce le haghaidh Fiontar, Fostóirí agus Fostaithe ag mealladh rannpháirtíocht shuntasach, agus in 2021 amháin: Íoslódáladh seicliostaí agus teimpléid COVID-19 ón Údarás 125,364 uair.Bhí 8,672 clárúchán nua ar ie, a thug an líon iomlán go 86,834.Rinneadh 56,804 cúrsa ar líne ar ie in 2021.Cuireadh an clár Choose Safety (2020/21) i láthair 27,494 scoláire i 564 iar-bhunscoil agus institiúid ardoideachais.Ag fáiltiú dó roimh Thuarascáil Bhliantúil an Údaráis Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta le haghaidh 2021, dúirt an tAire Stáit Gnó, Fostaíochta agus Miondíola, Damien English TD, “Cé go bhfaca an tÚdarás Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta níos lú básuithe a bhain leis an obair in Éirinn anuraidh, is é sin 38 duine, tá a bhfócas leanúnach riachtanach i réimsí ar nós feirmeoireachta, cúram sláinte agus foirgníochta ina mbíonn baol níos airde gortaithe nó tinnis ceirde. D’éirigh an-mhaith leis an Údarás agus iad ag cur chun cinn úsáid an lear mhóir uirlisí, cúrsaí agus tacaíochtaí ar líne dá gcuid agus mholfainn do gach fostóir agus oibrí, iad siúd atá féinfhostaithe ina measc, leas a bhaint astu.“Níos túisce i mbliana, d’fháiltigh mé roimh Ráiteas Straitéise nua an Údaráis le haghaidh 2022–2024 agus táim ag súil le leathnú lucht oibre an Údaráis a fheiceáil chun a sainchúram leathan a sholáthar, agus iad ag oibriú i gcomhar le fostóirí agus fostaithe, i dtreo ionaid oibre níos sábháilte agus níos folláine in Éirinn.”Anuas ar a chéad Ráiteas Straitéise eile a fhorbairt, rinne an tÚdarás dul chun cinn freisin ar rannóg nua a bhunú ina mbeidh béim ar shláinte cheirde. Méadófar go mór líon na foirne as seo go ceann cúpla mí mar chuid den fhorbairt sin, agus cuirfidh sé ar chumas an Údaráis é féin a struchtúrú agus a eagrú chun a shainordú leathan a sholáthar amach anseo.Agus Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2021 de chuid an Údaráis á cur i láthair, dúirt Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin an Údaráis Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta, an Dr Sharon McGuinness, “In 2021, leagamar romhainn torthaí follasacha a bhaint amach ar fud ár sainordaithe, lena n-áirítear sábháilteacht agus sláinte cheirde, creidiúnú, ceimiceáin, agus faireachas margaidh. Agus ár spriocanna straitéiseacha ó 2019–2021 á mbaint amach, lean an tÚdarás ag tabhairt spreagadh agus tacaíochta d’fhiontair chun freagracht a ghlacadh as a gcomhlíonadh, agus ghlac sé beart forfheidhmithe cuí agus comhréireach nuair ba ghá. D’oibríomar go dlúth freisin leis an Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta ar fhorbairtí agus ar thograí reachtacha. “Ag féachaint chun cinn, leanfaidh an tÚdarás ag freastal ar thimpeallacht oibre in Éirinn atá de shíor ag athrú, agus tá sé tábhachtach go bhforbródh an eagraíocht ar aon dul leis an athrú sin chun na torthaí is fearr a bhaint amach. Agus muid ag leanúint ag cur ár spriocanna in ord tosaíochta chun na réimsí ar fud ár sainordaithe a chur chun cinn, a rialáil, a chreidiúnú agus tionchar a imirt orthu, tá an tÚdarás ag méadú a lucht oibre agus ag atheagrú a struchtúir chun rannóg nua Sláinte Ceirde a bhunú. Díreoidh an rannóg nua sin ar ábhair imní sábháilteachta agus sláinte éagsúla in ionaid oibre na hÉireann, lena n-áirítear tionchair na paindéime a chuir dlús faoin aistriú chuig cianoibriú/oibriú hibrideach, fás leanúnach an ‘gheilleagair poistíneachta’, riachtanais áirithe oibrithe leochaileacha agus grúpaí imirceach, agus tionchar cúrsaí síceasóisialta san ionad oibre.”Ag féachaint siar dó ar 2021, dúirt Cathaoirleach an Údaráis, Tom Coughlan, “Bhí comhoibriú suntasach ar bun idir an tÚdarás, gníomhaireachtaí rialtais éagsúla, agus grúpaí fostóirí agus fostaithe in 2021 ar fhorbairt raon leathan tacaíochtaí, lena n-áirítear comhordú na freagartha trasrialtais ar phaindéim COVID-19. D’fháiltíomar freisin roimh aschuir shuntasacha ón gCoiste Comhairleach um Chomhpháirtíocht Sábháilteachta Feirmeoireachta agus é ag foilsiú an Phlean Gnímh is deireanaí uaidh le haghaidh 2021–2024 agus ó Phlean Gnímh 2022–2024 ón gCoiste Comhairleach um Chomhpháirtíocht Sábháilteachta Foirgníochta. Leanfaidh an tÚdarás ag comhoibriú agus ag obair i gcomhpháirt leis na grúpaí sin chun tuilleadh feasachta a mhéadú ar ár bpríomhthosaíochtaí straitéiseacha. Molaimid freisin go gclárófaí Ionadaithe Sábháilteachta in ionaid oibre chun a chinntiú go gcomhoibríonn fostóirí agus fostaithe chun cleachtais oibre shábháilte agus shláintiúla a chinntiú.”Léigh nó íoslódáil Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2021 de chuid an Údaráis Sláinte agus SábháilteachtaLéigh nó íoslódáil Ráiteas Straitéise 2022–2024 de chuid an Údaráis Sláinte agus SábháilteachtaAdblock test (Why?)

23rd May 2022Today, Monday 23rd May, in Wexford District Court before Judge John Cheatle, Plastic Water Piping (PWP) Limited pleaded guilty to three charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and were instructed under the Probation Act to donate €1,000 to a charity of the deceased family members’ choice and to cover court costs.Mr. Thomas O ‘Mahoney, a member of the public, was fatally injured on 14th August 2020 when he was struck by a reversing Nightline/UPS courier van collecting and delivering parcels at the Plastic Water Piping Limited premises in New Ross, Co. Wexford.Plastic Water Piping Limited failed to manage and conduct their undertaking in such a way as to ensure, as far as was reasonably practical, that individuals at the place of work, not being their employees, were not exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare. Specifically, they failed to provide a traffic management system to safely control and manage the movement of vehicles and pedestrians at their place of work and thus were in breach of Section 12 of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005.Mark Cullen, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said, “The movement of vehicles in workplaces where pedestrians are present is a well-known hazard that duty holders must carry out a risk assessment for in order to identify the necessary control measures to eliminate or reduce the risks to a reasonably practicable level. In this case, the failure by Plastic Water Piping Limited to undertake a risk assessment and identify the appropriate control measures led to this incident which was entirely foreseeable and preventable.” ENDSFor further information contact Aoife Moroney Ward, HSA Press Office on (086) 803 6141 or email [email protected]. Submission completed, thank you! Adblock test (Why?)

5th May 2022The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched a free short online course for seasonal workers in horticulture on its elearning portal https://hsalearning.ie.  The 40 minute online course is suitable for seasonal workers, students, and anyone working in horticulture on a part-time or full-time basis. It is also a useful refresher course for seasonal workers who may be returning to work in Ireland after a break.A recent CSO labour force survey found that 75% of employees working in horticulture in Ireland were non-Irish nationals. To cater for this large section of the horticultural workforce, the HSA has provided this course in over 10 languages. In addition to English, the course has been translated into the most common ten languages of workers in the horticulture sector: Belarusian, Bulgarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Thai and Ukrainian.HSA Enterprise and Employee Support Manager, Joanne Harmon said, “This free short course is ideal for employers in horticulture to offer to their seasonal workers, as part of their health and safety induction and training.  As the course is available in ten languages, it is also accessible to workers whose first language is not English and can be taken on a mobile phone or device.”The Group Manager facility on https://hsalearning.ie allows managers or supervisors to register a group of employees to take the course, at their own pace and in their own time.  On successful completion of this course learners should be able to- identify employer and employee responsibilities in the workplace,- recognise key hazards and risks in horticulture,- protect their own welfare and wellbeing at work, and- Learners will also be able to source further health and safety information and guidance.A certificate is awarded to participants on successful completion of the course which includes a short assessment. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass. Once complete, learners can download their certificate and employers can store it as part of training records.This online course coincides with HSA guidance for seasonal workers which is also available in the aforementioned 10 languages on the HSA website.The guidance highlights the main hazards for horticultural workers which includes:- Untrained/unauthorised drivers- Poorly maintained tractors, vehicles and machinery (for example brakes, mirrors and steps)- Incorrect manual handling techniques- Unsafe work at heights- Slips, trips and fallsPat Griffin, HSA Senior Inspector states that “The HSA aim to ensure that all workers in horticulture have a clear understanding of the risks in their workplace and the actions required to avoid workplace injury and ill health. The reduction of workplace injuries and fatalities in all sectors remains our priority and the Authority will continue to work with employers and employees on preventative measures. This online course along with our guidelines will not only serve as a useful resource for those non-Irish national employees, but also to all working in the industry.”The HSA’s free short online course for seasonal workers in horticulture is now available on its eLearning portal https://hsalearning.ieThe HSA guidance for Safety for Seasonal Workers in Horticulture is available to download here.Both the guide and the online course are available in the following languages; Irish, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Thai and Ukrainian.ENDSAdblock test (Why?)

It comes as over 100 pieces of EU legislation currently in development now make accreditation mandatory for businessesThere has been a significant increase in the number of organisations seeking accreditation in Ireland in recent yearsINAB wants to grow the number of accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies in Ireland to meet demand and support Irish industry Monday, May 9th 2022: The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), which is part of the Health and Safety Authority, will officially publish Ireland’s first ever Accreditation Strategy today.The Strategy sets out a vision and an ambitious roadmap for accreditation from 2022 to 2026.Accreditation is now mandatory for many Irish businesses because of changes in EU regulations and Brexit. INAB has seen a significant increase in the number of organisations in Ireland seeking accreditation during the past five years, rising from 203 organisations in 2016 to over 235 organisations in 2021. INAB also witnessed a rise in the numbers seeking accreditation last year, as many laboratories sought accreditation for Covid-19 testing / PCR testing.As part of this Strategy, INAB wants to grow the number of accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies in Ireland to meet demand and support Irish industrySpeaking at the launch, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD said: “The development of the first ever Strategy for Accreditation is an important and welcome milestone. The key benefits of accreditation are felt by the government, the consumer, and industry. It assists the government in seeking competent and professional bodies to pursue our policy and regulatory goals. It gives the consumer confidence in the quality of the products and services they purchase. It increases efficiency, innovation, and safety within industry. Accreditation also plays an essential role in augmenting access to European and international markets, offering a competitive advantage for Irish products and services,” he added.The Strategy for Accreditation will be delivered through specific and detailed actions across four key pillars:Grow uptake and application of accreditationRaise awareness of accreditation amongst businesses and consumersInform and influence national policyProvide capacity and infrastructure for INAB to continue to deliver high quality accreditation services“There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of EU regulations which now specify the need for accreditation,” said Dr Adrienne Duff, Manager of the Irish National Accreditation Board.“In the past, accreditation was mostly voluntary for businesses. Now, accreditation is mandated in many pieces of EU regulations, as policy makers recognise the importance of ensuring only the highest quality goods and services are sold on the EU Single Market. There are currently over 100 pieces of EU legislation going through the system which all make accreditation mandatory for a wide variety of businesses and industries. Accreditation has also become part of many EU Trade Deals, for example the EU-Canadian (CETA) trade deal,” she added.What is accreditation?Tens of thousands of products and services are bought and sold every day. It is vital that the public and businesses purchasing these products and services have confidence in them and trust that they are produced to the highest international standards.For example, when manufacturing a product, a business will hire Conformity Assessment Bodies to test, inspect, calibrate, verify and certify the product to ensure it meets the specified requirements set out in legislation or standards.But who is checking to ensure these Conformity Assessment Bodies are doing their job correctly? Accreditation is the process used to demonstrate the competence of testing, inspection, and certification services across a broad range of activities in healthcare, food and water quality, product safety and information security management.Accreditation is awarded to recognised standards by a national accreditation body. In Ireland, this is the function of INAB. INAB is the highest authority in Ireland and the sole body responsible for accreditation, offering the highest level of quality control to businesses, and ultimately consumers. INAB assesses organisations who test products and services sold every day in Ireland and abroad. It provides accreditation to laboratories, certification and inspection bodies. Receiving accreditation enables the acceptance of products and services globally, as they are ‘tested or certified once, accepted everywhere’. The ability to move products and services into different markets without secondary testing or verification contributes to the efficiency of international trading for customers and suppliers.To read the Accreditation Strategy in full click here.To learn more about accreditation and how it can benefit your organisation visit www.inab.ie[embedded content]Adblock test (Why?)

28th April 2022 The Health and Safety Authority and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, with support from Ibec, the Construction Industry Federation and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, have joined together today, Thursday 28th April, to mark Workers’ Memorial Day with a national commemorative event in Dublin. Workers’ Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance for those who have been killed or seriously injured in work-related incidents. In Ireland, 481 people were killed in work-related incidents over a ten-year period from 2012-2021. So far this year, seven people have been killed in work-related incidents. The commemorative event featured a ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin to honour those lost through work-related incidents. Those in attendance included Damien English TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Kevin Callinan, President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Dr. Sharon McGuinness, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority, and senior figures from Ibec, the Construction Industry Federation and trade unions. Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, said, “While it is positive to see a substantial decline in work-related fatalities in 2021, seven workers have lost their lives so far in 2022. There can be no complacency about the need to prevent work-related deaths. While it is vital to have strong health and safety regulations in tandem with robust enforcement, the totality of the response must also include full commitment, co-operation and communication at workplace level between employers and workers. One of the successes of the workplace response to the pandemic was the development of the COVID Lead Worker Representative role. I encourage all employers, business managers, and workers too, to build on that success and to pro-actively encourage and facilitate the Safety Representative role in their own workplace to embed safety in all work practices and to truly make it everyone’s business.” Kevin Callinan, President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said that Irish trade unions were supporting a European campaign, launched today, for zero deaths at work by 2030. “We will be talking with employers, the government and the HSA to gain support for this objective. Every death at work is one too many”, he said. The commemorative event was also attended by the family of Lorcan Deasy, who lost his life in a construction incident in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo in 2018. As part of the event, the family laid a wreath in honour of Lorcan and all other workers killed while doing their job. Lorcan’s mother, Marian Deasy of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, shared, “Today is a day in which we remember my son Lorcan and all the other loved ones lost, and honour their memory. We ask that all businesses and organisations establish stronger safety and health protections in their workplaces to ensure that no other family loses a loved one through a preventable incident.” Dr. Sharon McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer of the HSA, said, “Worker safety and health is everyone’s business and can only be tackled through a collaborative approach. The collaboration of Congress, Ibec and the CIF provides vital support which enables awareness building and initiatives dedicated to educating and creating legislative change, creating high standards in workplace safety, and continuing to reduce fatalities and incidents across all workplaces.” ENDS.Adblock test (Why?)

27th April 2022 Today, Wednesday 27th April, at Trim Circuit Court, the Health Service Executive (HSE) pleaded guilty to four breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and were fined €10,000 plus costs of €13,000 in front of Judge Terence O’Sullivan.  The case arose following an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) into a serious incident of violence and aggression at the workplace resulting in the assault of a number of nurses by a patient. The incident occurred on 29th August 2016 at the Department of Psychiatry, Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Co. Meath.  The HSE pleaded guilty that there was no adequate assessment, documenting, communicating and management of risks to the safety, health and welfare of employees in the Navan Unit arising from the known hazard of violence and aggression from high-risk patients. As a consequence, nursing staff suffered personal injuries being thus in breach of Section 8(1) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 as it relates to Section 8(2)(a).  The HSE also pleaded guilty to failing to manage and conduct work activities, specifically the operation of the Psychiatric Unit, in such a way as to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of employees.  The guilty plea related to the fact that there was no emergency response team to respond to the activation by employees of their personal alarms in circumstances where the staff of the Navan Unit were unable on their own to contain violence and aggression from high risk patients.  Also, there was no security guard and there were no magnetic doors operated by a swipe card system that would have allowed segregation and containment of high risk patients.  As a consequence of these failures, nurses suffered personal injuries. Mark Cullen, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said, “Where there is a known risk of violence and aggression in a workplace, employers have a duty to ensure that the appropriate precautions are in place and staff are protected. Failure by the HSE to do so in this case led to serious injuries for the staff concerned.”ENDS.Adblock test (Why?)

26th April 2022 Today, Tuesday 26th April, in Kilkenny District Court, David Mulcahy Electrical Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and was fined €5,000 and costs of €3,473.75 before Judge Geraldine Carty. On 3rd December 2020, a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) being used to install electrical facade lighting to the Paris Texas public house on High Street, Kilkenny City, suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed on to the public footpath. As a result, an employee of David Mulcahy Electrical Ltd suffered serious injuries. David Mulcahy Electrical Ltd, the owner of the platform failed to ensure the provision and maintenance of safe plant and equipment, and failed to ensure that work equipment, in particular the Mobile Elevated Work Platform, was examined by a competent person during the preceding six-month period. David Mulcahy Electrical Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 8(2)(c)(iii) contrary to Section 77(9)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and Regulation 52(3) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 contrary to Section 77(9)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. Mark Cullen, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said, “This was a serious incident that could very easily have resulted in a fatality. Working at height is a known high-risk activity and it is vital that before the commencement of any work activity, employers and duty holders must make sure the required safety precautions are in place to protect those carrying out the work.” Submission completed, thank you! Adblock test (Why?)