Ireland
Inspection campaigns
Refuse collection vehicles
- Duration: four weeks in July 2024
- Sector: waste collection
- Number of inspected entities: 101 inspections
- Number of labour inspectors engaged in the campaign activities: 6
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) of Ireland conducted an inspection campaign on refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), focusing on the provision and wearing of high visibility clothing, driver blind spots, and compliance of man-riding footboards with the standard I.S. EN 1501-01:2021. The primary objective was to improve safety standards related to RCV operations. The campaign was initiated in response to concerning statistics: over a six-year period, there have been five fatalities involving RCVs, affecting both employees and members of the public.
The planning process involved a detailed analysis of accidents and incident data, as well as complaints related to RCV operations. All available data on past accidents, incidents, and complaints were reviewed to identify common triggers. This analysis helped shape the campaign’s objectives, ensuring it would not only raise awareness within the industry, but also remind duty holders of their legal responsibility, enforce compliance and ultimately reduce accident rates.
As part of the planning phase, the HSA met with stakeholders, particularly the Irish Waste Management Association, to discuss accidents and incidents associated with RCV operations. The discussions helped to inform the industry about the planned campaign and its objective.
Inspections were carried out over four weeks in July 2024. A team of experienced inspectors from the Waste team of the HSA carried out the inspections.
Inspectors received a briefing, enforcement expectations, and checklist guidance. Inspectors had access to campaign objectives, tasks, checklists, and enforcement expectations for non-compliances observed during the campaign.
Results were evaluated based on completed checklists, enforcement actions issued, and duty holders’ compliance with the issued enforcement.
There were 101 RCVs inspected during the campaign by the Waste team across 25 different RCV operators, and 87 enforcements were issued (including 7 INs and 20 PNs).
Key findings included:
- High visibility clothing: during the campaign a high level of compliance was observed regarding the wearing of high visibility clothing by RCV helpers. However, the campaign found that there is an opportunity for the industry to increase the use of Class 3 high visibility clothing, given that RCV helpers work close to moving vehicles.
- RCV driver blind spots: it was observed during the campaign that in many cases camera systems, mirrors and proximity alarms were in good condition, but there remains significant opportunity to retrofit extra aids to assist drivers particularly with revering manoeuvres.
- Man-riding footboards: Overall the campaign found that footboard were in a poor condition. The issues identified by Inspectors included defective safety devises, damaged/unstable footboards, inadequate grip handles, and general non-conformance with the I.S. EN 1501-1:2021.
Following the campaign, the HSA met with industry stakeholders to present the findings. The HSA highlight its concerns regarding the significant level of non-compliance, particularly regarding the inspection and maintenance of man-riding footboards.
To ensure transparency and raise awareness, the HSA also published a campaign finding note, summarising key issues identified during inspections and providing guidance on improving safety standards.
Inspection Campaign in Quarries focusing on Machinery Guarding and Maintenance
- Duration: two weeks in May 2023, with a follow-up campaign from 18 September to 2 October 2023
- Sector: quarries and associated manufacturing sites
- Number of inspected entities: 158 in May, 150 in September
- Number of labour inspectors engaged in the campaign activities: approximately 10 inspectors
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) of Ireland conducted an inspection campaign in the quarry sector, focusing on machinery guarding and maintenance procedures. The main objective was to drive improvements in a sector with significant worker risks. Key safety issues included inadequate machine guarding, lack of risk assessments for maintenance activities, and insufficient training in Permit to Work and Lock Out Tag Out systems.
The initial campaign's 158 inspections resulted in 180 enforcements, including 25 Improvement Notices and 23 Prohibition Notices whilst the follow-up campaign (150 inspections) resulted in 127 Enforcement Notices, including 8 Improvement Notices and 11 Prohibition Notices.
The priority area was selected based on HSA's database of workplace accidents, inspections, and complaints. The campaign aimed to provide information on legal requirements, enforce compliance, and reduce accident rates.
The HSA planned to cover over 75% of registered entities. Inspections were allocated based on typical entities and available inspectors per region. Target establishments were identified using factors such as worker numbers, accident rates, and inspectors' knowledge of workplaces.
Inspections were carried out over two weeks in May, with a follow-up in September-October. Workplace visits lasted 2 to 8 hours. A team of experienced inspectors from the quarry team and other departments was involved, comprising less than 10% of HSA staff.
Inspectors received central briefings, enforcement expectations, and checklist guidance. They had access to campaign objectives, tasks, checklists, and examples of actions for non-compliance cases.
The HSA cooperated with stakeholders, particularly the Irish Concrete Federation, providing an online briefing to over 120 participants. Press releases and social media were used to inform the sector about the campaign.
Results were evaluated based on completed checklists, legal measures issued, and their implementation. The HSA's ICT system captured inspection summaries, with Power bi reports generated to analyse the data.
Key findings included:
- 94% of workplaces conducted safety induction for employees and contractors;
- 90% of sites had planned preventative maintenance programs;
- 18% of workplaces lacked appropriate machine guarding;
- 25% had no risk assessments for planned maintenance activities.
The follow-up campaign showed improvement in workplace safety. There was a 37% reduction in enforcement notices, showing improvement in guarding and emergency stop safety, maintenance and isolation, and risk assessment and training areas. For 31 sites inspected in both periods no Improvement Notice was issued and 5 Prohibition Notices were issued (on 3 companies).
non-inspection campaign
Two Seminars on 'Managing Hidden Hazards – Human Behaviours at Work'
- Duration: two half-day sessions, one in Limerick and one in Dublin (May 2024)
- Sector: public and private sectors, including employers, managers, workers, safety representatives, policy makers, OSH research community, health and safety supervisors, HR and people managers, and occupational health professionals
- Number of establishments covered by the non-inspection activity: 160 attendees in total (80 at each event)
- Number of inspectors engaged in the non-inspection activity: 4
- Number of specialised staff involved in implementing the non-inspection activity: 1
- Budget: approximately EUR 5 600 (Dublin event: EUR 3 300, Limerick event: EUR 2 300)
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) of Ireland organized two seminars on raising awareness of less visible workplace hazards, including psychosocial hazards, bullying, fatigue, and violence and aggression. The seminars aimed to address these challenging aspects of workplace behavior and provide attendees with expert insights, industry perspectives, and regulatory views on managing these hidden hazards.
The project was financed and prepared by the HSA's Occupational Health Unit. The target group and implementation stages were outlined in the project plan. The seminars were designed to cover various topics presented by HSA experts and industry professionals.
The seminars included presentations from HSA inspectors and industry experts on:
- Psychosocial Hazards - Patricia Murray, Senior HSA Organisational Psychologist/Inspector;
- Bullying in the Workplace - Ciara Kirwan, HSA Inspector;
- Worker Fatigue Risk Management - Colleen Butler, Human Factors Specialist/HSA Inspector;
- Workplace Violence and Aggression - Paraig Earley, HSA Inspector;
- Uncovering Hidden Hazards: An Industry Perspective - Paul Daly, HSQE Operations Manager, Coffey Construction.
The seminars provided attendees with the opportunity to:
- recognize less visible OSH issues and their causes,
- understand the impact on organizations and individuals,
- learn about the HSA's perspective and legal responsibilities,
- gain knowledge about effective management systems and good practices,
- consider methods for measuring success in managing these areas,
- reflect on personal and organizational approaches to risk management.
Information about the seminars was disseminated through the HSA website and social media channels. The HSA's Communication Department assessed the effectiveness of the information dissemination.
The project results were evaluated through attendee feedback, which was very positive. Attendees found the events informative and novel, raising awareness of current topics. The HSA used a PowerPoint presentation to conduct and present the evaluation results. Following the seminars, attendees could ask questions and speak with experts. HSA experts followed up on specific queries, ensuring continued support and information sharing.
The project's consistency with approved plans was verified 100% by the HSA Programme Manager. While no formal inspection activities were directly linked to this non-inspection project, the seminars served as a valuable platform for raising awareness and promoting best practices in managing hidden workplace hazards.