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Health & Safety Ireland joins the CQI and IRCA in celebrating World Quality Week 2023

World Quality Week is an annual event, that brings together people from various industries to celebrate the importance of quality management and continuous improvement.  Each year the event focuses on a theme that highlights key aspects of quality in today’s world.  In 2023, the theme is ‘Realizing Your Competitive Potential’, emphasising the crucial role of quality in staying competitive in a rapidly advancing global market. 

One of the central ideas of World Quality Week 2023 is that quality drives innovation.  When a business focuses on delivering high-quality products and services, they are more likely to invest in research and development, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.  Innovation can take various forms, from developing new products or services to improving existing ones, streamlining processes or finding sustainable solutions.

So let’s jump in – why is quality important in today’s business landscape?  Organisations that prioritise quality can not only meet customer expectations but also exceed them, leading to increased customer loyalty and a positive brand reputation.  Quality isn’t limited to products, it extends to services, processes and the overall customer experience.  Organisations that consistently deliver high-quality products and services gain a competitive edge.  They can charge premium prices, attract top talent and establish themselves as leaders in their respective industries.  Realising a company’s competitive potential involves leveraging its strengths, addressing weaknesses and strategically positioning itself within its industry or market.

Another way to realize competitive potential is with a robust Quality Management System (QMS) in place, such as ISO 9001.  A QMS provides a structured framework for defining, documenting and continuously improving processes to advance quality.  It helps organisations identify areas for improvement, implement corrective actions and maintain a culture of quality across all levels of the business.  Organisations prioritising quality management, fostering continuous improvement, and embracing quality as a strategic imperative are better positioned to thrive in today’s global market.

World Quality Week 2023’s theme ‘Realizing Your Competitive Potential’ underscores the vital role of quality in modern business.  Quality isn’t just a checkbox on a list, it’s a catalyst for innovation, customer satisfaction and competitive advantage.  World Quality Week 2023 serves as an excellent platform to kickstart or reinforce your commitment.  It’s an opportunity to inspire and educate individuals and organisations about the benefit of quality.  By doing so, we can survive and thrive in an ever-evolving and highly competitive world.

#worldqualityweek2023 #cqi #irca #healthandsafetyireland #competitive potential

Construction is an industry with inherent risks, given the nature of the work and the potentially hazardous environments. This October is the Construction Industry Safety Month, which aims to create awareness about the potential dangers and risks associated with construction work. October 2023’s theme is Focus on Critical Risk. We at Health & Safety Ireland are delighted to create this blog dedicated to raising awareness and promoting safe practices in the construction industry. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the Critical Risks that can have major impacts on safety and overall project success. Identifying and mitigating these risks is crucial for the successful completion of construction projects.
Safety Risks
• Worker injuries and accidents
• Unsafe working conditions
• Falls from heights
• Equipment related incidents
Schedule Risks
• Delays due to weather conditions
• Changes in project scope
• Permitting and regulatory delays
• Labour shortages
Quality Risks
• Quality Risks
• Poor workmanship
• Substandard materials
• Inadequate quality control and inspections
• Design errors and omissions
Environmental Risks
• Environmental regulations and compliance
• Soil and water contamination
• Hazardous material handling
• Impact on local ecosystems
Health Risks
• Health and safety risks associated with hazardous materials
• Mental health and workers wellbeing
• Health emergencies (eg pandemic)

And this is not an exhaustive list! Other critical factors include budget risks, legal and contractual risks, supply chain risks, technical risks, geotechnical risks, natural disasters, labour risks, financial risks, security risks and community and public relations risks.
To manage these risks effectively, construction projects typically need a comprehensive risk assessment, contingency planning, insurance and adherence to industry best practices and safety standards. When we all work collaboratively we can identify, assess and mitigate all these risks throughout the project phases. Prioritising safety not only protects the wellbeing of workers but also ensures the longevity and sustainability of construction projects.

Let’s make every month Safety Month by taking safety seriously and working together to build a safer and more prosperous future.

cifsafety23 #criticalrisk #constructionsafetyireland #healthandsafetyirl.ie #safetyconsulting #takesafetyseriously #effectivetraining

World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2023

  “Our minds, our rights”

The WHO (World Health Organisation) have named Tuesday 10th October 2023 as World Mental Health Day 2023.  It is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.

This concept is increasingly recognised and advocated for by international organisations and human rights advocates.  Mental health is an integral part of overall well being and it is considered essential for individuals to lead a fulfilling and productive life.  Here are six key points that support the idea that mental health is a universal human right:

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, proclaims that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care.”  Mental health is an integral component of overall health and well-being and it is encompassed within this declaration.
  2. WHO recognises mental health as an essential component of health and well-being.  It has stated that “There is no health without mental health,” emphasising the importance of mental health in achieving the highest standard of physical and mental health for all individuals.
  3. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted by the United Nations in 2006, recognises the rights of persons with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions.  It emphasises the importance of ensuring equal access to healthcare, rehabilitation and support services for people with disabilities, including those with mental health issues.
  4. Reducing Stigma and Discrimination – promoting mental health as a universal human right involves reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions.  Advocates work towards creating an environment where individuals can seek help without fear of prejudice or discrimination.
  5. Access to Mental Health Care – to ensure mental health as a human right there must be access to affordable and quality mental health care services, including prevention, treatment and support.  This includes the availability of mental health professionals, medications and community based programmes.
  6. Intersectionality – recognising that mental health intersects with various aspects of a person’s identity and circumstances, such as race, gender, socio economic status and more is crucial.

Efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma and improve mental health care are ongoing to promote and protect the mental health of people everywhere.

Health and Safety Ireland is committed to investing in the growth and success of our business. By joining the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, we look forward to engaging meaningfully with our business community.

  • In 2022, 7 people lost their lives working in the construction sector in Ireland. Of these 7 construction fatalities, 5 of which related to working at height.
  • In 2022, slipping or falling led to 286 work-related construction incidents. 38% of these were falls from height.

The HSA will begin a construction inspection campaign on Tuesday 6th June 2023 highlighting the need for vigilance to safety when working at heights. The two-week campaign will target both small and large construction sites.

During the campaign, the HSA will be inspecting construction sites to ensure employers and those self-employed in construction understand the risks associated with working at height and have put in place the appropriate control measures.

To ensure a safe working environment employers and self-employed should:

  • carry out risk assessments for work at height activities and make sure all work is properly planned, organised and carried out by a competent person,
  • chose the right work equipment and put in place measures to prevent falls (such as guard rails and working platforms).
  • ensure all those working on construction site understand the risks and comply with safety systems

For your bespoke quote contact us on

056 7813220 or email admin@healthandsafetyirl.ie

Ireland-based publishing company Health & Safety Publications is in our good books since releasing their range of child-friendly health and safety stories.
The Sam and Sue Safety Series of books for children began when Health & Safety Publications director Marek Szepietowski was looking for fun books with a subtle safety message for his three young daughters. He couldn’t find anything to fit the bill, so he decided to produce them himself.
To ensure the right tone of voice for three- to nine-year-olds, Marek commissioned educational psychologist Ann Linehan to write the books, and illustrator Kamila Stankiewicz made them bright and engaging.
Accidental injuries are a leading cause of death and disability for children and young people. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for improved, targeted education for children, young people and families on safety issues. Books and educational materials can provide a great start for opening conversations.
With titles covering stranger awareness, construction site safety and medical emergencies, the Sam and Sue stories are told in a positive way, with tips and discussion points for teachers and parents to ensure children fully understand the health and safety message.
Forthcoming titles cover water safety, fire safety and road safety. The company also plans to create health and safety-themed animations and games, to communicate health and safety awareness through a variety of resources.
ADVICE FOR PARENTS
Top tips for teaching children about safety
Keep it short and simple – if you talk for too long, children will lose interest
Stay positive – understanding consequences is important but don’t make it too scary! 
Communicate and collaborate – encourage them to ask questions and find out the answers together
Rehearse – play safety games and roleplay situations so they can try out what they’ve learned
Be up to date – reassess the risks they can face and teach them how to stay safe as they grow.
For more information on how to teach safety to children, see bit.ly/ROSPA-10-principles

Alex Lacey — Monday 3rd July 2023

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What People Say

A small selection of kind words.
Started working with Fran four years ago and now she looks after all of our health and safety paperwork and training. She is approachable, down to earth, on top of everything and always on the phone when we need her. John Brophy JNL SCAFFOLDING
Couldn’t recommend Frances highly enough. Very professional service with serious attention to detail. She knows what we need before we do! She looks after all our paperwork, records, training, certification etc. She put a system in place for us and she monitors it and keeps everything and everyone in line! Keith Murphy AVALON CONVEYOR COMPONENTS
Professional service that hasn’t cost me the earth! I call on Fran for updates or method statements or if I am asked for something specific for health and safety. She is always so helpful and practical; she works out solutions on site and puts the paperwork together for me. Even though I only call on her when I need her, she actually feels like one of the lads. Martin Bennett COOLRAIN CONCRETE
I was starting from scratch when I contacted Fran for a Health and Safety Statement. I thought it would be just a one-off need but as I have gotten different jobs, I have needed method statements, or extra training and I have always gone back to Fran. I would build all day long but ask me to do paperwork and I would run a mile! Fran makes it all so easy, there is no fuss, just an easy going get the job done attitude. Mark Fortune KEY CONSTRUCTION

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