PFAS – Exposure to Polyfluoralkyl Substances & Prevention
PFAS – Polyfluoralkyl substances Background The per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. We previously reported on the prevalence of persistent organic pollutants and PBT (persistent bioaccumulative and toxic) substances in commonly used firefighting foams. The main culprits being […]
Physical Security Management (aspects from ISO 45001 & ISO 27001)
ISO 45001 tends to focus on the physical workplace and the activities conducted there. ISO 27001 focuses on the hazards to the security of information, which includes physical hazards, but only insofar as they may impact on information. Management of the risk to the individual and the business from physical access to the workplace or […]
Cold Water Swimming
It’s that time of year again so here’s the annual reminder for those who plan to continue swimming in the great outdoors over the winter months. Cold water swimming is generally defined as swimming in waters below 15 degrees C and it’s currently well below that both in the sea and the freshwater rivers and […]
Sustainability Standards Developed by International Standards Organisation
Sustainability Standards and standards that contribute to sustainability have been developed by the International Standards Organisation. These include ISO 20400, Sustainable procurement – Guidance, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 22000 Food Safety, and ISO 50001 Energy Management System. These focus on management systems for companies and are based on […]
Sustainability and Financial Disclosure
Paris Agreement – “holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels”. While this is not the only goal of sustainable development it is certainly a priority given the urgency of the situation. The European […]
Management Principles and Sustainability
Management System Standards and strategies may be successfully applied to sustainability. The concepts and processes involved provide a logical, strategic, and improvement-focused approach to sustainability. There are standards that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These include ISO 20400, Sustainable procurement – Guidance, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 22000 […]
The Right to Disconnect!
What is the Right to Disconnect? The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) describes the right to disconnect as “an employee’s right to be able to disengage from work and refrain from engaging in work-related electronic communications, such as emails, telephone calls or other messages, outside normal working hours.” The WRC’s Code of Practice Right to Disconnect […]
Creating a Communications Strategy
Planning for Safety Communications 2022 is just around the corner now and this may be a good time for us to consider our plans for the new year. Safety communications is often an ad hoc process based on issues and opportunities as they arise. There are considerable benefits to creating a strategy and plan for […]
Dynamic Risk Assessment
Dynamic risk assessment may be defined as the continuous process of identifying hazards, assessing risk, taking action to eliminate or reduce risk, and reviewing as circumstances change. Dynamic risk assessment should be used when: An unusual situation exists not foreseen in the existing risk assessments A rapidly changing or emergency situation exists where risk may […]
Cold Water Swimming
Just a quick reminder for those who plan to continue swimming in the great outdoors over the winter months. Coldwater swimming is generally defined as swimming in waters below 15 degrees C. Some tips to stay safe when swimming in cold water: Plan ahead. Know the likely water temperature and your own capabilities. If you […]
