Safety, Health and Wellbeing Calendar 2022
Quarter 4 (Oct-Dec) – On the Road, Off-road and Onsite

October 2022 – Safe Use of Mobile Equipment

According to the Health and Safety Authority, the greatest risk to pedestrians is from vehicles and mobile plant. It is highlighted that there are substantial blind spots on dozers, wheeled loading shovels and excavators, with workers at risk of being run over if they are in the operator’s blind spot.

The use of any piece of machinery should be subject to risk assessment. On construction sites, where transport vehicles, earth-moving or materials-handling machinery are used, the project supervisor for the construction stage (PSCS) must ensure that (a) safe and suitable access ways are provided, and (b) traffic and pedestrian routes are so organised and controlled to ensure their safe operation.

October 2022 – Safety by Example

Leadership is an essential part of a health and safety management system because attitudes to safety and health are determined by top management.

Often, the best leadership approaches are those that affect others’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviours, without need for formal authoritative means.

This is at the core of health and safety management, whereby every worker, irrespective of their role, is empowered (and possesses a duty of care), to protect their own safety, health and wellbeing, and of their work colleagues.

October 2022 – Safe Control of Hazardous Energies

Contractors are responsible for managing the risks associated with work near overhead electricity wires, underground cables, gas and water pipelines, and other infrastructure.

Competent persons need to review past site records and utility drawings in advance of works and to liaise with the respect utility providers.

Unintended contact with utility services is a relative frequent occurrence; last year, Gas Networks Ireland responded to over 400 incidents of damage to its underground gas network. Plan work and take due care in proximity to hazardous energies.

October 2022 – Safe Access and Egress

The term ‘Access and Egress’ covers a broad range of potential hazards, including travel to/from work, the interface of mobile plant and people (workers and members of the public), work at height, excavations, uneven ground etc.

How do we get there, do the job and get back home safely? 

The above statement is a key consideration – all persons set-out to return home safe after work completion, but this is not always the case. There is a need for pre-planning and for adherence to safe working practices. All workers have a duty of care to look after themselves and their colleagues – if you spot something that is unsafe, fix it! Good housekeeping is a proactive means for addressing the risk of slips, trip and falls in the workplace.

November 2022 – High Visibility Clothing for Use Around Moving Vehicles

Serious injuries or fatalities occur in workplaces because people are struck by vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks or buses or mobile work equipment such as industrial trucks (e.g. forklifts or telehandlers). The most effective way to reduce the risk of a person being hit by moving vehicles is to have a system of work which effectively keeps pedestrians and vehicles apart.

December 2022 – Winter Readiness

“As we head into the winter months, with darker mornings and shorter daylight hours, we must ensure our site activities and operations are planned and managed in a safe and controlled manner. ‘Winter Readiness’ when driving is also very important. Focusing on the key issues in the checklists below will help us maintain high standards of safety, health, and welfare on our sites and when driving to and from work”
Emer Croston, HSE Advisor, Walls Construction Limited