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Over the last 18 months, we have become accustomed to our so-called ‘new normal’. For many of us, working from home was a major aspect of this. However, now that the vaccine rollout has progressed significantly, this restriction is about to be lifted.
From Monday, 20th of September, we may begin returning to the workplace ‘on a phased and staggered attendance basis’, for ‘specific business requirements’. (Source) Then, on the 22nd of October, these regulations will be fully removed, allowing all those working from home to reenter the workplace ‘on a phased and cautious basis’. (Source)
As we return to our ‘old normal’, or more accurately, adapt to our ‘newer normal’, it is important for businesses to have measures in place to ensure adherence to evolving government recommendations.
There are several steps to take in preparing your employees and the workplace for reentry.
First, you should ask all employees to fill out a pre-return to work form. (Source) This form will provide information as to whether the employee is currently experiencing symptoms, waiting to receive results of a COVID-19 test, has just returned from abroad, or is self-isolating or restricting their movements. You should also facilitate COVID-19 induction training. (Source)
Your business most likely already has a COVID-19 Response Plan in place, and it will need to be updated in accordance with new recommendations. The plan should include procedures for dealing with a suspected or confirmed case, such as assigning a case manager and allocating isolation areas. (Source)
It’s also important to review occupational health and safety risk assessments and update them in relation to COVID-19. Determine where and how COVID-19 related risks are likely to occur, such as areas where employees deal with the public or customers. You should also account for employees who would be considered high risk, for example those with underlying medical conditions. Once the subsequent adjustments to the workplace have been made, address any non-COVID related hazards and risks that may have arisen as a result. (Source)
At Ayrton, we have a team of qualified risk assessment consultants who can complete a comprehensive audit of your workplace to identify and help to reduce risks. These assessments are designed in line with all relevant legislation and will help you to fulfil all legal requirements you have as an employer. Learn more about this service here.
If you haven’t done so already, assign a Lead Worker Representative (LWR) whose responsibility will be to cooperate with the employer to ensure that COVID-19 workplace safety measures are being upheld. You should appoint LWRs in appropriate proportion to the number of employees in the workplace. (Source)
Once preparations are completed and the return to work has commenced, you must take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Continue to implement preventative measures in relation to maintaining good hygiene. Washing hands regularly and disinfecting surfaces should be encouraged. To support this, you can provide sufficient resources for employees, such as hand sanitiser, posters with hand hygiene guidelines and PPE equipment or face coverings.
As always, be sure to maintain an open line of communication with employees regarding COVID-19 measures. This will include the provision of up-to-date public health information, such as how to prevent the spread of the virus. Said information can be displayed around the workplace and provided through COVID-19 induction training. (Source)
To maintain physical distancing, you may have to rearrange workspaces or canteens, stagger the times during which workers attend on site, or arrange employees into small teams to work and take breaks together. (Source) (Source)
Effective ventilation is another factor to consider in the prevention of COVID-19. There is an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 in badly ventilated areas, and this risk is intensified where people are in close contact. This can be mitigated by opening doors and windows where possible and disabling recirculated ventilation systems. This also applies to vehicles that employees use for work travel. Ceiling mounted, desk and portable fans, should be avoided where there is more than one person in the room. (Source) (Source)
Certain kinds of workplaces are considered high-risk, for example meat processing plants, restaurants, and spaces where people shout or talk loudly. In these circumstances, ‘a greater level of adherence’ to regulations is necessary to prevent airborne transmission of the virus. (Source)
Public health guidance will most likely be updated in respect of the further changes to restrictions from the 22nd of October. As an employer, it is important to stay up to date on these changes to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.
Workplace regulations and requirements in relation to COVID-19 would be too extensive to cover in one blog post. For further information, visit hse.ie, hsa.ie, and hpsc.ie.
Ayrton provides a range of courses designed to equip you to manage the transition back to the workplace. These include Lead Worker Representative Training, Return to Work Protocol – Business Response Plan, COVID-19 Safe Return To Work Training, and COVID-19 Workplace Compliance Audit. You can get in touch with our expert team on info@ayrton.ie, who will provide you with more information about our courses and assist you in navigating this complex and unprecedented process.
Workplace safety programs are vital for employee welfare and productivity levels.
Workplace safety ensures the proper use of company equipment, reduced absenteeism, reduced panic attacks and fatalities and less work injury costs as well as it being a requirement by law to have safety measures in place.
The question of workplace safety has never been more relevant than today with work related fatal accidents on the rise in industries such as; agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail and transportation and storage.
Work related deaths involving vehicles from 2010 – 2019 show a figure of 217 totalling 44% percent. These figures indicate a 1.1 rate of deaths per 100,000 workers highlighting the need for more safety management courses within the workplace.
While in 2019, there were a total of 9,335 non-fatal injuries which were reported to the Authority of which 95% of these were workers with research indicating the most common non-fatal accidents were; manual handling, slipping and falling, loss of control of objects, vehicles and machines, aggression, shock and violence and also body movements which led to cuts and bruises.
The farming and agriculture sector accounted for the largest portion of workplace deaths involving vehicles highlighting 110 deaths between 2010 and 2019. While research shows there were 490 work-related deaths reported to the Authority over a 10-year period.
Altogether, 60 work-related deaths involving vehicles were associated with various agricultural working processes (33% of all work related deaths). While twenty-five worker victims were engaged in farm-related construction activities at the time of the incident.
Some 95% of workplace deaths which took place involved men, most commonly between the ages of 55 and 64 years old. While almost one in two non-worker victims were aged under 18 years.
While in 2020 alone, 30 people died in vehicle-related incidents at work with the most common type of fatal incident involving vehicles striking people in the vicinity.
Tractors were the most common vehicle in fatal incidents followed by loaders, trucks, quad bikes and forklifts. The single most common working process of victims at the time of the incident was the maintenance of vehicles (30).
Other important working processes were storing, including loading and unloading (28), agricultural work with live animals (20) and agricultural work, working the land (18). While forty-three deaths occurred on public roads, of which 21 involved vehicle collisions.
Further research indicated the majority of workplace deaths take place from May to July due to the increased farming activity during this period.
Cork had the highest number of workplace vehicle deaths (39) followed by 17 in Dublin and 14 in Tipperary. Only Longford and Louth reported no work-related deaths involving vehicles between 2010 and 2019.
Tractors were involved in 64 deaths (29%). Trucks were involved in 35 deaths (16%). These involved several categories including articulated trucks (thirteen), rubbish trucks (five) tipper trucks (three) rigid trucks (three) car recovery vehicles (two) and road-sweepers (two) and others.
Loaders or telehandlers were involved in 20 deaths (9%). Quad bikes were involved in 13 deaths (6%), while forklifts were involved in 13 deaths (6%).
Vehicles striking people on foot or on bicycles accounted for 11 of the 24 work-related deaths involving vehicles in construction.
The single most common kind of incident in Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Vehicles was the slipping of vehicles under maintenance (seven). This illustrates the hazards for mechanics and tyre fitters of working on unstable vehicles under maintenance.
While twenty-eight deaths occurred during the storing of objects. These included the loading or unloading of vehicles, stocking warehouses etc.
As we can see from the research provided, the implementation of reliable safety programs is an intrinsic element for companies to ensure employee welfare and increased productivity levels in the workplace.
Of these, 27 cases involved parked vehicles rolling out of control where in most cases the handbrake was faulty or insufficiently engaged. While forty-four cases involved vehicle collisions with 21 cases involving falls from vehicles
As a result of Covid-19 many workers are now working from home full-time.
The two main causes of concern for remote workers while working from home are isolation and burnout.
Research shows that up to 19% of remote workers are suffering from loneliness due to lack of interaction with office staff. These daily office interactions are an intrinsic element to companies to boost work productivity amongst workers and enhance their emotional and mental wellness. Companies like GitLab are now providing virtual ‘coffee breaks’ to ensure a more collaborative approach amongst their remote workforce.
Workers are also suffering from burnout as a result of working from home due to longer working hours and struggling with work-life balance. For many workers it’s difficult to ensure a dedicated work space with their kitchen doubling as their office.
It’s also easy to slip into a rut of checking emails during random periods of the day, when you are brushing your teeth in the morning or having dinner in the evening, making it harder for many to switch off with 69% of employees reportedly suffering from burnout as a result of working from home.
Here at Ayrton Group we have compiled a list of helpful strategies to combat burnout and loneliness from working from home which include the following;
Take time out: It’s so important to take time out to unwind and recharge your batteries to avoid becoming exhausted and overwhelmed. Take short breaks to return to work more productive and revitalized. You can also create a schedule with regular breaks, create dedicated work zones and more discipline around leaving work at work and finishing on time. Maintaining physical and social boundaries is so important to ensure that transition from ‘work you’ to ‘home you.’ This includes changing out of work clothes once your shift ends. Workers should also ensure they take their annual leave – whether that’s for a staycation in Ireland or time off at home to unwind. It could really help to reduce the effects from burnout.
Reach out for help: Don’t be afraid to reach out to online support networks or to ask for help from someone you trust. It’s been a hard year for everyone and added support could make all the difference, whether it’s a few reassuring words of advice from someone you trust or just a quick chat during lunch.
Socially distanced activities: Consider a socially distanced walk or coffee at the park. This will combat feelings of isolation and loneliness. Daily walks are great for both physical health but also mental health, boosting serotonin and dopamine levels! It’s also good to check in on your friends and family to make sure they are okay, activities like Zoom calls are a great way to connect you to your friends and family while Zoom quizzes provide a fantastic and creative outlet to break up your week!
Organisations have found themselves bombarded with information in recent weeks in relation to Covid 19 in a wide array of areas such as information on state supports & wage subsidy schemes, employment law and HSE guidance, to name just a few.
As well as this companies have needed to turn their attention to what steps they need to take in the coming weeks to prepare for any return to the workplace, in whatever form it may take.
Internationally & nationally advise on preparing to return to work has been given from authorities such as the WHO, HSE, H.S.A, NSAI, RIAI, & most recently the CIF & NHBA the outcome of which is a clear requirement for all organisations to document their plans as part of their preparations.
Ayrton Group are working with many clients developing C19 SOP Action Plans as they prepare to return to work, in some form, in the weeks ahead. We are working with clients in all industries such as transport, construction & retail on these C19 Action Plans.
These can take the form of a:
1- C19 Action Plan, Standard Operating Procedure & Risk Assessment
This is based on the requirements of the WHO, HSE, H.S.A, NSAI & most recently the CIF & NHBA. All documentation prepared takes account of the information to hand at that time, as well as that of any specific industry representative bodies.
2- C19 Safety Induction for all workers on site & reinduction(Construction)
This is a site specific presentation which should be used by site management (as well as the designated C19 Compliance Officer) to re induct all site personnel before they are allowed back to work on site. This presentation takes account of the requirements within the CIF Standard Operating Procedures. In addition to this, all workers should also take the CIF ‘Online C19 Induction’ program, before they arrive on site, which is a general induction program (takes about 15 minutes).
3- C19 Induction for all workers returning to the workplace
This is a client and industry specific presentation which should be used by management (as well as the designated C19 Compliance Officer) to re induct all personnel before they return to work. This presentation takes account of the requirements, where available, of any industry guidance from that sectors representative body.
C19 Related Training: We have also developed some training options for clients who have looked for this option and more information on that can be viewed here Covid 19 – C19 Awareness and Compliance Officer (Construction ) Training
If you would like any assistance formatting your plans please contact us today and we can discuss how we can assist you
Irish dancing has been axed from a St Patrick’s Day parade for “safety reasons”.
Gymnasts also won’t be allowed to take part in the festive march in Drogheda, Louth, on Sunday.
Parade chairperson Anthony Lynch said the dancing caused delays along the route.
The committee were advised to make the changes by gardai.
Anthony told the Drogheda Leader: “The dancing led to long delays, with many people thinking the parade had finished before it had.
“This will hopefully help with the speed of the marchers by not allowing dancers.
“It’s unfortunate as people do enjoy watching the Irish dancers and other dance schools.
“It’s out of our hands at this stage.”
A lot of times when you think of safety, you think of construction safety, SAFEPASS, or CPR. Of course, we specialize in these areas, but safety is much broader.
Safety is similar to health, you take it for granted when you have it but when something goes wrong it becomes a matter of critical importance.
And that is a stage no one wants to be in. It’s much better to allow safety to be a routine, ‘boring’ part of your life and business that you don’t think much about.
And you don’t have to! We do the thinking for you.
We offer consultancy, helping you create safety plans and providing the statuatory documentation needed. This can cover anything from playground safety to asbestos awareness to waste management – even assuring that big event you are planning lives up to safety standards so when the event is in the news ‘safety’ isn’t even a thought. It’s just there.
2018 was a great year for safety in Ireland. The fatality rate is at the lowest on record with only 1.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. Farm fatalities are down from 25 deaths in 2017 to 15 deaths in 2018. This is great news, and a testament that people are prioritizing safety awareness and safety training.
However, even one death is too many. It’s easy to look at numbers and statistics, but when it’s your brother, friend, wife, uncle, colleague… well, that’s life shattering.
We have a host of safety training courses available, as well as consultancy, and even staffing solutions if you need a safety officer or consultant on site for a period of time.
Get in touch today, and let’s make 2019 a year full of all the simple moments that are so easy to take for granted. Because we still have them.
On Friday 27th April, in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court Judge Sean Ó Donnabhain imposed a fine of €50,000 on Leeside Cut & Core Contractors Limited.
The company, Leeside Cut & Core Contractors Ltd., pleaded guilty to 2 offences under Section 8(2)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, contrary to Section 77(2)(a) and Regulation 7(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 and 2010.
The case arose as the result of demolition works at an office building at Goulds Hill, Mallow, Co. Cork. The 2 storey office building was constructed in the 1970’s and had Asbestos Insulating Board ceiling tiles containing Amosite (brown asbestos) and Chrysotile (white asbestos) on both ground and first floor. The floor tiles and bitumen also contained Chrysotile. Asbestos is a known carcinogen.
Between the 21st January 2015 and 06th February 2015 employees of Leeside Cut & Core Contractors Ltd. were involved in demolition of stud wall partitions and blockwork at the office block. These demolition works were carried out in an uncontrolled manner and as a result damage was caused to the Asbestos Insulating Board ceiling tiles resulting in exposure of these employees to Asbestos fibres.
The company (Leeside Cut & Core Contractors Ltd.) pleaded guilty to:
At Mallow District Court in February 2018 the Client company in this particular case, AV Pound and Company Ltd, pleaded guilty to Regulation 6(1)(a) of the Safety , Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, contrary to Section 77(2)(c) of the Safety Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Failure of client to appoint in writing a competent Project Supervisor Design Process at or before start of design process ) and was fined €750 with €3,000 costs awarded.
Sharon McGuinness, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority said:
“Asbestos containing materials remain a significant hazard in older buildings. Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to fatal diseases many years after the last exposure has taken place. It is a critical requirement of the 2006-2010 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations that all employers, particularly in the construction and demolition sector identify the presence of asbestos containing materials. This should be done in advance of any maintenance, refurbishment or demolition in buildings built prior to 2000. In practice, this can be achieved by requesting the results of an asbestos survey from the client or owner of the building or engaging a competent asbestos surveyor to conduct an intrusive refurbishment or demolition asbestos survey.
This particular case highlighted that attempts to demolish structures below or adjacent to high-risk asbestos containing materials should not be attempted. All reasonable attempts should be made to remove all such materials by competent asbestos removal contractors prior to any demolition techniques being applied.”
Ayrton Group offer a range of consultancy & training services on the topic of Asbestos
https://www.ayrton.ie/asbestos-consultancy-survey-expert-asbestos/
A van driver who claimed he hurt his back when a mattress he was delivering was lifted into the air by a gust of wind has been awarded a total of €380,000 by the High Court.
Declan Homan (54) hurt his back when he was delivering the mattress to an apartment on the last of 16 deliveries that day, when he was “caught by a gust of wind” that carried him 12ft before he was thrown to the ground.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross said he accepted Mr Homan had not been able to work since the accident almost seven years ago but he assumed he will be able to do some work in the future.
The judge noted that, since the accident, Mr Homan had been able to go on foreign holidays, including to Florida, Spain, Corfu and Tenerife, as well as other holidays financed by his wife.
“Mr Homan was not asked about his pain on the flights to these destinations but neither did he volunteer the flights caused him particular pain,” he said.
The judge accepted that his pain does flare up from time to time to a severe level.
He said Mr Homan was not making the case he has suffered catastrophic injuries but that he has long-standing pain.
When giving evidence, Mr Homan was clearly in pain, which could be seen from his facial expressions, and he would shift to stand from time to time and sit down again, he said.
The injuries, the judge said, must be classed in a moderately severe category.
The total award with loss of earnings included was €430,000 but the judge deducted illness-related social welfare payments made to date, bringing the total final award to €380,000. The costs of the five-day hearing were also awarded to Mr Homan.
Training
Mr Homan, of Island Lodge, Walsh Island, Co Offaly, had sued Etmar, with offices at Glen Easton Point, Leixlip, Co Kildare, as a result of the accident on December 13, 2011.
The court heard one of Mr Homan’s brothers is a director of Etmar.
He claimed he fell from a height of 5ft, about 12ft from the truck, and alleged he was obliged to unload the mattress without adequate training.
Etmar denied all the claims and contended the incident was an act of God.
Mr Justice Cross did not accept Etmar was in any sense negligent in requiring Mr Homan to work on the day of the accident, which was a windy day.
Etmar, the judge said, did not have a duty to be watching the weather at all times.
However, Mr Justice Cross added he had come to the conclusion the accident happened because of Etmar’s breach of statutory duty and negligence, and its failure to assess any risks, as well as a failure to train Mr Homan and to warn him of the hazards, especially from a height.
In particular, there was a failure of Etmar to train him to turn the mattress at right angles after exiting on to the truck tailgate.
“That the particular gust of wind was unpredictable does not result in a successful defence of acts of God on behalf of Etmar,” he added.
A stay in the event of an appeal was granted, provided €175,000 was paid immediately to Mr Homan.
This story is courtesy of Tim Healy of Independent.ie
New research from the ESRI and the Health and Safety Authority published recently launched by Minister Pat Breen looks at work-related injuries and illness in five sectors with persistently high risks:
1)Health
2)Construction
3)Transport and storage
4)Industry (manufacturing and utilities)
5)Agriculture, forestry and fishing.
These five sectors account for 41 per cent of employment and 56 per cent of work-related injury in 2014. The research tracks experiences over the period 2001 to 2014 using nationally representative surveys of the workforce collected by the CSO.
Injury rates in the agriculture, construction and industry sectors fell during the recession (2008-2011) compared to the boom (2001-2007). There is also some evidence of these rates increasing in the early recovery period, but this trend is as yet inconclusive.
The rate of fatalities is highest in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector. The number of fatalities increased from 129 in the 2001-2007 period to 151 in the 2008-2014 period. Other sectors experienced a downward trend. The number of fatalities fell between the 2001-2007 period and the 2008-2014 period in industry (62 to 39), in construction (104 to 49), and in transport and storage (38 to 26). The combined fatalities in industry, construction, transport, and agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 85% of all worker fatalities in Ireland in 2014.
The health sector had the highest total number of days lost due to work-related injury. The highest number of total days lost due to work-related injury in the 2008–2014 period occurred in the health sector (92,000 days per year) followed by the transport sector (82,000 days per year).
However, the transport sector had the highest number of days lost per worker due to work-related injury.Adjusting for the numbers employed in each sector we find that in the 2008-14 period, the highest annual average number of days lost to injury per 1,000 workers occurred in the transport sector (766) followed by construction (532), agriculture (413), health (329) and industry (282). The figure for all other sectors was 216 days per 1000 workers.
The health sector had the highest number of days lost per worker due to work-related illness. In this sector, 524 days were lost per 1,000 workers. This was followed by transport (507), agriculture, forestry and fishing (358), industry (351) and was lowest in construction (313).
Night workers, shift workers and new recruits had a higher risk of injury. In all sectors examined except construction, night workers and shift workers had a higher risk of injury compared to workers not working these hours. In all five sectors, new recruits were more likely to experience an injury compared to those with longer tenures, on a full-year equivalence basis.
Longer working weeks are associated with injury. Construction sector workers working between 40 and 49 hours a week faced a greater likelihood of injury per hour worked, after adjusting for worker and job characteristics.
Part-time workers are also at higher risk of injury. In the agriculture sector, while those working long hours had the highest risks of injury overall, part-time workers were found to face a greater risk of work-related illness per hour worked. This part-time effect was also found in the transport sector.
Pat Breen, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, commented:
“I welcome the work produced as part of the research programme between the ESRI and the Health and Safety Authority. It is vital to protect the health and safety of all employees while they are at work. The research published today will greatly assist in identifying employees across a range of sectors who might be at risk of workplace related injury or illness. This will enable businesses to improve health and safety standards in the workplace and to reduce staff absences which also ultimately affect the productivity and growth of a business. In addition, the availability of the NALA versions of the reports will ensure wider and easier access to these reports.”
Martin O’ Halloran, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority stated:
“This is a valuable body of research, it qualifies and quantifies and moves us from believing to knowing. It confirms to us that we need to have a greater focus on health and that our overall strategic direction in the area of workplace health is correct. This research will also be very useful in relation to policy formulation and risk profiling workplaces for inspection purposes.”
Helen Russell, Research Professor at the ESRI, commented:
“The recovery is leading to strong employment growth which is to be welcomed. However, employment growth can bring with it increased risks to employee health and safety such as longer working hours and an influx new inexperienced workers. Our research shows that new recruits in construction, health, agriculture and transport have a significantly higher risk of occupational injury. Hence, there is need for supervision, training, and support to prevent rising injury and illness rates.”
The five reports are available to download at the links below.
The bad weather this week is going to make our journey’s to and from work more dangerous with more potential hazards and risks. We cannot underestimate the dangers of snow and ice, while walking on footpaths, in public places or entering and exiting your vehicle.
Slips, trips, and falls are even more likely to occur and can cause serious injury. We don’t realise that many slips and falls happen in places we regard as safe and secure, typically outside our front doors, on the door step, on the path or while getting out of the car.
Here’s 5 top tips from Ayrton Group… be mindful out there this week;
