Industry Standards – Health & Safety Essay Example

was established with codes of practice for fire safety management in places of assembly. To further address workplace safety concerns, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act was enacted in 1989 leading to the establishment of the Health and Safety Authority (HAS), an organization sponsored by the state that is accountable to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Amendments were made in 1993; however, it was replaced by the Safety Health & Welfare Act 2005 on September 1st aiming at enhancing security & well-being within workplaces.Mr. Tony Killeen AD emphasized the importance of workplace safety and work accident prevention. Various measures were implemented through legislation to enhance workplace safety, including risk assessment, company safety statements, and regulations regarding the consumption of intoxicants. Additionally, employees' medical fitness assessments became mandatory and penalties for negligence were imposed, including on-the-spot fines. This proactive approach to reducing workplace accidents and mitigating risks applies to all workers, workplaces, visitors, and passers-by. The responsibility for ensuring employee and visitor safety lies with employers, employees, safety managers/reps, equipment used at work (Materials/Tools/Chemicals), systems of work, as well as articles used at work. Examples illustrating this responsibility include securing ladders in retail stockrooms without broken steps; safely storing chemicals in printing factories with proper labeling; ensuring company cars driven by sales reps have no cracked windshields; and preventing hot water taps in communal toilets from dispensing near-boiling water. Chapter 3 of the Act focuses on employer duties related to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment primarily through employers and self-employed individuals. These responsibilities involve managing and supervising work activities to prevent improper conduct such as arm wrestling on

the floor by printers operating machines.Bullying is considered a significant health risk in the category of stress at work. Employers have the responsibility to ensure safe access to egress, provide safe plant equipment, and mitigate risks associated with articles, materials, or machinery in the workplace. These risks can include exposure to physical agents, noise, or radiation. Additionally, employers are accountable for planning and maintaining safe systems of work.

The workplace (e.g., Brown Thomas) offers welfare facilities and access to a company doctor twice a week. This is especially helpful when there are doubts about an employee's long-term sickness authenticity as they can seek a second opinion from the company doctor. Furthermore, the company ensures that health and safety information and training are provided in a language that employees can easily understand due to Ireland's diverse cultural makeup.

Employees are also involved in consultations regarding health and safety matters. The company provides necessary protective clothing at no cost to employees based on their specific job roles. For instance, warehouse operatives receive work boots while factory workers receive ear protection. Stockroom workers in retail loading bays are equipped with protective gloves.The company appoints one or more Safety Representatives to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation. Employees must take responsibility for their own safety and consider the risks posed by contractors like painters, window cleaners, or gas meter readers from Bored Gals. The company reports all accidents and dangerous incidents to relevant authorities and collaborates with Safety Representatives to implement the Safety Management Program and conduct risk assessments. This program includes a hazard audit and the development of a workplace-specific Safety Statement. Prominent notices about hygiene and fire evacuation

procedures are displayed in the workplace. Fire fighting and emergency equipment undergo regular installation and evaluation. Designated roles within the company include Fire Officers, Fire Marshals, and Assembly Officers. Regular fire drills and evacuations follow documented procedures found in the company's safety book. A training program is created for staff members regarding health and safety protocols. Thorough risk assessments are conducted before drafting the Safety Statement to identify potential hazards associated with routine and non-routine operations.This assessment aims to identify various hazards and human factors, including slips, trips, falls, manual handling issues, fire risks, radiation exposure concerns, inadequate lighting levels, bullying, intimidation,and stress. The evaluation of risks involves assessing the likelihood of their occurrence and the severity of potential consequences. To prioritize safety measures effectively, risks are categorized as high, medium or low priority. If it is not possible to eliminate hazards completely, control measures should be chosen to either eliminate them or reduce the associated risks. Creating a comprehensive Safety Statement is crucial for the company's overall safety efforts as it outlines the commitment to safety and acts as a mission statement for managing health and safety. Maintaining an ongoing system of Health and Safety requires regular review and revisiting in order to stay up-to-date with changes in legislation, job requirements, and the introduction of new equipment or substances into the company. An example risk assessment can be found in Appendix A. The Safety Statement should include an action plan that ensures the protection of employees' safety, health and welfare while also identifying those responsible for implementing and maintaining control measures. Furthermore,it should outline plans for dealing with accidents and emergencies such as fires

or bombs along with listing the names of safety representatives and members of the safety advisory team.
Moreover, it is essential to provide a comprehensive description of the premises, including access and egress points. This should involve detailing the work conducted on-site, as well as specifying the equipment and plant present. Additionally, any potential hazards must be highlighted. Health and welfare information, along with medical considerations and first aid protocols, should also be included in the statement. Smoking policies should not be overlooked.

Workplace safety encompasses various aspects such as fire protection measures, prevention strategies, evacuation procedures, and designated assembly locations. It is equally important to establish emergency lighting locations and testing procedures for these lights. To ensure effective coordination of safety efforts, it is beneficial to provide details on meetings held outside of regular working hours.

The safety statement must undergo periodic reviews and amendments when necessary. In instances where an Inspector requests or following an accident or "near miss" incident occurs, it is crucial to review the safety statement within 30 days.

Employers bear the responsibility of communicating the contents of the safety statement comprehensibly to all employees. This obligation begins during recruitment processes, continues through induction programs, and whenever changes are made to the statement. While some companies may choose to display their safety statements on notice boards in staffrooms or other areas accessible by employees, larger companies with extensive statements may find it more practical to exhibit health and safety guidelines in communal spaces instead. These guidelines can consist of generic publications provided by organizations like HAS (Health and Safety Authority).Employers must maintain or prepare various documents and notices related to the Safety Statement, such

as checklists for bomb threat handling that may require special training for office receptionists. Instructions for Fire Officers on fire procedures and evacuation, as well as instructions for assembly officers on egress and assembly during emergencies, should be included. Guidelines for fire safety rules and fire action notice should also be incorporated. Training records should be kept as a master copy and potentially in all staff files for specific training sessions.

Assembly and fire drill records are crucial for Health and Safety Audits, which employers need to conduct in order to comply with regulations. It is important to clearly display the location of the assembly point near fire extinguishers and staff motherboards. Additionally, floor plans of the business must be provided according to Chapter 4 of the Act, which outlines the duties of employees/workers.

While employees have less responsibility than employers under relevant laws, they still have obligations. These include complying with laws, ensuring their own safety as well as their colleagues', and avoiding actions that could put others at risk due to intoxication or misconduct. Employees are expected to cooperate with their employer and others in fulfilling the requirements of the Act.Employees must participate in health and safety training provided by their employer, which should be documented in their employee records. It is important for employees to handle equipment, machinery, tools, or substances provided by the employer safely. They should also use any protective clothing or equipment provided and promptly report any defects or hazards they encounter. Defects such as a leaking pipe or faulty ladder can pose risks to workers' safety.

The safety representative plays a crucial role in advocating for employees' safety concerns with the

employer. They are responsible for investigating accidents and dangerous occurrences unless an Inspector is already doing so without interference. Safety representatives must accompany Inspectors on regular inspection tours and communicate information through meetings, conversations, or written correspondence.

Responsibilities of safety representatives include conducting assessment audits and investigating potential hazards. It is important that they receive paid time off for training and carrying out their duties, especially after investigations. Complaints should be appropriately investigated by safety representatives after giving reasonable notice to employers. Misusing their position for personal gain is strictly discouraged.

In addition to employees and safety representatives, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and designers are also obliged to comply with the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.The responsibility of ensuring safety and health in the production, development, and supply of materials lies with them. They must provide suitable products with instructions for correct usage, such as assembly guidelines for warehouse racking or information on effectively using a liquid fire extinguisher based on fire type. It is crucial for electrical goods importers to avoid bringing in kettles with two-pronged plugs due to significant health and safety risks.

Enforcement of product safety compliance is broad-ranging. Penalties under Chapter 7 of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005 play a vital role in ensuring compliance by reflecting the severity of breaches resulting in death or injury. Inspectors have various enforcement powers depending on the seriousness of the breach. They can request an improvement plan within one month to outline necessary remedial actions for specific risks.

If necessary, inspectors can serve an Improvement Notice that provides employers with a fixed timeframe to address issues. Failure to comply may result in

fines and prison sentences based on the severity of the risk or accident. The maximum penalty for breaching this act is â?3,000,000 and/or up to 2 years in prison. In certain cases, the Health and Safety Authority (HAS) has the authority to impose On-the-Spot fines of up to â?1,000.The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 is important for both employers and employees. Breaching this Act can harm an employer's reputation as lists of convicted employers may be made public. Directors, officers, and other managers are held accountable for breaches under this Act. It is crucial to maintain safety standards in the workplace as there are numerous hazards that require prompt resolution from managers and staff members alike. Even seemingly minor incidents like spilled water in a retail store can pose high risks to both employees and customers.

Some companies may neglect safety measures but realize their importance through accidents or potential legal actions. Insurance fraud and exaggerated claims related to slips or trips are prevalent, causing financial burdens for businesses. This is why the guidelines in the mentioned Act are essential for efficient and safe operations, making a Safety Statement as important as a company's Mission Statement.

While some argue that the Act's extensive information and required controls may impede productivity, safety, welfare, and health should still be prioritized by companies. In larger firms, a senior Safety Representative typically handles significant issues and implements new controls and initiatives (Chapter 9 - Recommendation).It is essential for everyone to prioritize health and safety by ensuring compliance. Employers and employees should both follow these requirements as they are considered the best way to operate. Employers must evaluate potential

hazards in order to prevent accidents and reduce risks. The Health and Safety Executive (HAS) provides an information service during office hours, offering updated information such as codes of practice. This service aims to prevent employers from compromising workplace safety at the expense of their own wellbeing, that of their employees, and that of customers.