Powers of HSA Inspectors!
In this blog, I will discuss in some detail the Powers of Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Inspectors as well as some of the Enforcement Actions that inspectors can take. HSA inspectors are given powers under various pieces of legislation including: The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Section 64) The Chemicals Act […]
Work Related Fatalities in Ireland at their Lowest Level Since Records Began
In this blog, I will discuss some of the takeaways from the provisional work-related fatality figures released by the Health and Safety Authority for 2021. The Health and Safety Authority has released provisional annual statistics for last year. These figures show that there has been a significant reduction in the number of workplace fatalities in […]
Ventilation and the Use of CO2 Monitors – Guidance in the Updated Covid-19 Work Safely Protocol
In this blog I will review the new guidelines on ventilation and the use of Carbon Dioxide monitors in the government Covid-19 Work Safely Protocol. The latest version of the Covid-19 Work Safely Protocol gives advice about the use of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) monitors. This advice is outlined in Section D. Heating, Ventilation, and Air […]
ISO 30415:2021: New International Standard on Human Resource Management – Diversity and Inclusion
In this blog, I will introduce the new international standard ISO 30415:2021 which provides guidance on instilling diversity and inclusion in organisations. Fostering a diverse and inclusive organisational culture can enable individuals and teams to thrive and do their best in conditions that enable effective collaboration and participation. The ISO 30415:2021 standard can help organisations […]
The Potential for use of Smart Glasses as an Effective Training Tool?
What are Smart Glasses and how can they help with training? Smart Glasses are basically wearable computer glasses that add or overlay information alongside to what the wearer sees. Smart Glasses allow a worker to see training images and video in their vision while they are in the actual location where they will be doing […]
Virtual Management System Audits
The Obstacles and Benefits of Virtual EHS Audits? The global pandemic has resulted in challenges in all walks of life. Those of us involved in auditing, auditor training and certification of management systems have had to try to overcome some of the challenges posed by remote or virtual auditing. Widespread social distancing requirements and travel […]
ISO 45003 – Risk Assessment for Psychological Hazards in the Workplace
What needs to be included in a risk assessment for psychological hazards in the workplace? The guidelines in the new ISO 45003 standard on managing psychological risks may help in identifying these types of hazards. ISO 45003 Occupational health and safety management – Psychological health and safety in the workplace – Guidelines – is currently being developed […]
ISO/PAS 45005: New Global Guidelines For Safe Working During the Covid-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 has fundamentally impacted the way people live and work. Organisations need to quickly adapt to the “new normal” including new regulations and guidance on hygiene, social distancing and psychosocial health in order to work safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. ISO/PAS 45005 is designed to help organisations anywhere in the world to protect their workers […]
What Indoor Environmental Factors affect the spread of COVID-19?
What Indoor Environmental Factors affect the spread of COVID-19? Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes COVID-19. This blog highlights some of the key parameters which could affect the spread of COVID-19 in indoor environments. Does indoor air temperature and humidity affect the spread of COVID-19? We know that […]
Deaths in Farming: The Stark Reality
Farming is one of the most hazardous occupations in Ireland In 2020, so far this year (up to 18th September 2020) there have been 16 fatalities. Last year there were 19 fatalities in the agricultural sector. In the period 0f 10 years from 2010 to 2019 a total of 214 people died in agriculture and […]
