340 likes | 686 Views
Health and Safety in the Workplace. Dr Clare Ryan. Sure every work place is safe. It’s not always what we do, but how we do it, which causes accidents. Why should we care?. Moral and ethical reasons Economic reasons Legislative reasons. Physical. Biological. Chemical. Ergonomic.
E N D
Health and Safety in the Workplace Dr Clare Ryan
Sure every work place is safe..... • It’s not always what we do, but how we do it, which causes accidents
Why should we care? • Moral and ethical reasons • Economic reasons • Legislative reasons
Physical Biological Chemical Ergonomic Hazard Groups: • Hazards generally fall into four main groups
Is it Law? • Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 • Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) Regulations, 2001 • Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 • Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 1994 as amended in 1998 • Chemicals Act No 32 of 2010 • Regulated by the Health and Safety Executive NI (www.hseni.gov.uk)
Is all Health and Safety needed? • Spectacle wearers not allowed on bouncy castle
Health and safety risks stop children playing 'pin the tail on the donkey'
Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence died in slurry tank trying to save father
Risk or Hazard? • A ‘Hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons’. • A ‘risk is the likelihood that a person may be harmed or suffers adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard.’
Risk Assessments http://biomed.science.ulster.ac.uk/risk/.
Physical Biological Chemical Ergonomic Hazard Groups: • Hazards generally fall into four main groups
Physical Hazards: • Cause damage to the body, e.g.: • Working with tools and machinery • Working at height • Electrical work • Exposure to noise or vibration
Chemical Hazards: • Able to produce health effects, e.g. • Dusts and fibres • Fumes and gases • Corrosives, poisons
Biological Hazards: • Causes ill health through contact with: • Micro-organisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi) • Insects (mites, parasites) • Human, animal waste • Sharps (needles, scalpels)
Ergonomic Hazards: • Harm caused by: • Poor working posture • Poor workstation layout • Confined space work • Unsuitable equipment
University of Ulster • 3000 employees • 15,000 full time students • http://www.ulster.ac.uk/hr/healthandsafety/ • http://www.ulster.ac.uk/hr/healthandsafety/procedures_safety.html
Physical Biological Chemical Ergonomic Hazard Groups: • Hazards generally fall into four main groups