CMSE Training Consultancy Recruitment

Architect’s ’signed off’ on apartments for developers based on a visual inspection and on letters from contractors confirming the work was above board. The architect who signed off on Priory Hall said last night he was “shocked at what the fire officers have now found”. The disclosure raises the prospect that other blocks built during the boom may also be potential death traps.

Developer Thomas McFeely has publicly apologised to tenants.  The council’s fire safety inspector Donal Casey said a fire could spread swiftly through the complex due to defects with fire safety barriers in the external walls.

 Architect Stephen Oppermann said yesterday his firm carried out a visual inspection of Priory Hall after the apartments were finished. “It is a visual inspection,” he said. Although the apartments were built in 2006, the full extent of the problem emerged in May this year after the council bought two apartments and engaged consultants to inspect them. The council found defects which meant that any fire which got into the external cavity wall could spread rapidly to the entire complex.

Mr Oppermann said the cavity fire barriers were in their original project drawing. However, he said it was being alleged that they were not installed.

Labour TD Sean Kenny called on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to scrap the self-regulation system brought in in 1990. The minister plans to make it mandatory for builders and architects to provide certificates of compliance stating that the buildings meet all regulations.

The Independent, 2011.

Priory Hall is only one example, CMSE can help ensure all builders are following regulations and ensuring peoples safety. CMSE prepare/carry out:
(a) A Fire Safety Audit of premises for Property Management companies/banks/insurance companies which will include the following:

• Fire Stopping Survey.
• Compartmentation Audit to ensure Fire Resistance of Structure
• Review of protection of means of escape
• Review of Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting
• Review of Fire Safety Management Systems
• Review of Fire Safety Certificates granted
• Review of statutory documentation required under the
  Fire Services Act 1981(2003),IS 3218:2009,IS3217:2008 and
  Part B of the Building Regulations

Our reports will prioritise actions required and we can prepare the following:

• Fire Safety Certificates
• Regularisation/Revised Fire Safety Certificates.
• Design Fire Alarms/Emergency Lighting
• Prepare tender package for any fire safety deficiencies found as a
  result of the above fire safety audit.
• Project Management of all fire safety deficiencies solutions if required.

How is your company handling things?

The 2010 statistics for ‘fatal’ accidents reveal that the ‘Transport and Storage’ sector which employs an estimated 93,000 persons is placed third, with the Construction Industry second and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing topping the table with an astonishing 29 deaths. While the incidents can be broken down into different areas, for the most part they can all be classified as workplace accidents.

A workplace accident is defined by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) as “where a person is injured at a place of work and cannot perform their normal work for more than 3 consecutive days, not including the day of the accident.
In 2001 a total of 9,215 non-fatal injuries were reported to the HSA and by 2010 this figure had reduced to 7,284 which remains a significant number.
While improvements have been made there is still scope for further improvement.

By far the largest single cause (31%) of workplace injury is as a result of ‘Manual Handling’, with injury to the back accounting for 21 percent of those injuries reported.
Much of the training undertaken in Ireland is done due to legislation and regulations being in place. We rarely appreciate the potential benefits.
Training is for other people, and while we demand that vehicle repair staff servicing trucks and buses are properly trained to the manufacturer’s standard, we have to see the need to properly train employed staff to operate such equipment and be safe in their day to day duties.
Chris Mee Safety Engineering provide very practical, hands-on Manual Handling Courses as well as RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) courses.
Call us on: 1850 315 415 or email info@cmse.ie to find out more and ensure the safety of your employees at work.

Unoccupied buildings can lead to an increase in Legionnaires’ disease, if the owners or managers of buildings fail to put in place control measures.

Speaking at a seminar last March,
senior HSA inspector Darren Arkins drew attention to the
risks that arise from buildings being unoccupied,
unused or closed for protracted periods.
He explained that if a water system remains inactive for long periods, harmful bacteria can start to proliferate within the stagnant water. There is likely to be a lower water turnover, which can lead to an increased risk but a lower exposure (which will decrease the risk).
He added that inspection may be reduced, decreasing the frequency of exposure, but any works carried out would involve contact with water which has become stale or stagnant, increasing the risk of exposure.

LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal disease caused by aerobic bacteria, usually legionella pneumophila. This is an aquatic organism that thrives at temperatures between 25 and 45 degrees Celsius. They do not appear to multiply below 20 degrees Celsius and are killed within a few minutes above 60 degrees.

Legionnaires’ disease acquired its name from an outbreak which occurred when American Legion veterans were attending a convention in 1976. Over 200 people were given medical treatment and 34 died.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease are linked to contaminated water. Infections often occur in poorly ventilated areas, often after inhaling airborne particles containing the bacteria. Those at higher risk are males over 40, smokers and those who may be immune-compromised.

This danger of Legionnaires’ disease is currently more pressing than usual, because the poor property market means that a large number of properties are currently being managed by administrators.

CONTROL MEASURES
Having signalled the danger, Mr Arkins outlined the control measures that should be undertaken. A written scheme for controlling exposure should be prepared. This should include: descriptions of the hot and cold water system; details of who is responsible for carrying out risk assessments; details of the safe and correct operation of the system; the checks that will be carried out; and how often the checks will be carried out and who will carry them out. The training of responsible persons should be set out in the written control procedures.

Dealing with prevention methods, he said the most commonly used method of reducing the risk of an outbreak of legionella in hot and cold water systems is temperature control. Also, outlets which are not in regular use should be flushed and redundant pipework should be cut back. Control can be achieved by keeping water systems clean, preventing stagnation and maintaining water temperatures that prevent or minimise legionella growth. However, he warned that “control will only be achieved if all the control measures are in place”.

Mr Arkins points out that the duties of employers and those in control of buildings are set out clearly in the legislation relating to managing risk of biological agents, including Legionella bacteria. Apart from the SHWW Act 2005 and the General Application Regulations 2007, employers and those in control of buildings should refer to the Biological Agents Regulations 1994 (SI 146/1994), as amended by the Biological Amendment Regulations 1998 (SI 248/1998) and the Chemical Agents Regulations (SI 619/2001)

Health & Safety Review, September 2011.

The European Sustainable Energy Award for Prisons

 CMSE is delighted to have been awarded the European Sustainable Energy Award for Prisons project. The European sustainable energy award for prisons encourages intelligent use of energy in multi-residential buildings, specifically prisons. 

This project involves a pilot study on energy management in prisons
in the UK, Malta, Croatia, Latvia, Greece, Slovenia and Ireland.

The partner organizations in the consortium are: -

• Severn Wye Energy Agency – UK
• Projects in Motion Ltd – Malta
• University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and
  Naval Architecture – Croatia
• Ekodoma – Latvia
• University Of Thessaloniki – Greece
• Building and Civil Engineering Institute ZRMK – Slovenia
• Her Majesty’s Prison Hewell – UK
• Chris Mee Safety Engineering – Ireland 

Prison sites consume a great deal of energy because of their size, building stock and constant usage pattern. 
As well as this the increasing cost of energy and focus on cost-effective services, point to a real need to use
energy as efficiently as possible.

E-SEAP (European Sustainable Energy Award for Prisons) aims not only to address technical and practical energy issues to achieve savings but also; to raise awareness, increase skills and improve access to support.
CMSE believe this is a great project and are delighted to be part of it. The project has been developed and is managed by Severn Wye Energy Agency, UK.
SWEA (Severn Wye Energy Agency) is a strictly not for profit, registered charity and Chris Mee Safety Engineering are proud to be contributing partners on this project.

As part of the E-SEAP project each participating prison will receive an award to show what level they are at.
Awards will be leveled at bronze, silver and gold and will be internationally recognised to enable the scheme to be pioneered on a European level.
E-SEAP is offered to prison services free of charge thanks to funding provided by the European Commission’s ‘IntelligentEnergyEurope’ programme.

At present there are 14 participating prisons and there are approximately 800 prisons throughout Europe.

This programme will not only save money in prisons but also give people the skills and knowledge to practice these cost effective techniques outside of this area also.
Prison managers, staff and offenders will all receive training in order to show how vital this project is.
It is envisaged that this training may then be passed on to these participants families and therefore will encourage them to become more energy efficient at home. This of course results in people saving money on their bills.

The targets of this project are based upon the direct experience and achievements of the UK pilot which has been carried out. The pilot study consisted of 9 prisons in Wales and SW England. This study confirmed the value of working closely with the prison service to achieve a significant increase in energy awareness and energy savings.
In the long term it is hoped that E-SEAP will become a model for energy saving that is referenced by institutions other than prisons in the development of their own strategies, e.g. hospitals, universities and military establishments.

Please email info@cmse.ie if you would like further information on this topic

 Mr Hogan attended a water metering conference in Croke Park yesterday where he confirmed he wants to have a state-run company, Irish Water, in place by the end of the year to oversee the metering programme.

Mr Hogan also confirmed that the installation of water meters in homes would begin early next year.

The EU/IMF bailout obliges Ireland to introduce water charges by 2013. However, Mr Hogan said no water charges would be levied until the meter installation programme was complete, which could take up to three years.

“There will be no flat-rate water charge, but there’ll be a water charge by meter. Over and above a generous allowance for your domestic purposes, you’ll pay a water charge.”

For Water Meter Installers Courses please see www.irishwatermeters.ie

www.examiner.ie article by Claire O’Sullivan and Juno McEnro

If we are to look the options available to the Government in implementing a Nation Water Meter Plan, we need to look at a few facts. The programme for national recovery states:

” To achieve better quality water and environment we will introduce a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. We will first establish a new state owned water utility company to take over responsibility from the separate local authorities for Irelands water infrastructure and to drive new investment. The objective is to install water meters in every household in Ireland and to move to a charging system that is based on use above free allowance” – Government Programme for National Recovery 2011-2016

The first step will be the formation of an organisation to manage water metering, this will be and existing semi - state utility or a new entity. There will be many steps required along the way including setting up the necessary Legislation, Regulation, Identifying the customer base, Procurement of Product and Metering Installation Services, Reading of Meters etc.

The above steps can only happen if there are suitably skilled people to successfully implement this programme. It does not matter how much legislation is in place if skilled people are not available. We currently have plenty of people who are available to do this work, and many of them have skills such as qualified plumbers. The key will be to get all people involved in the rollout trained if we want consistency in skill sets resulting in a coordinated rollout.

Training people in water meter installation is the only solution, but we have learned in the past that flooding the market with a variety of training courses does not necessarily provide the best solution. A training course must be accredited by a recognised accreditation  body or the quality if the training course will not be maintained. Indeed this point was dealt with at the 2nd Annual Water Metering Conference held in May 2011 by the speaker *Kevin Murray, Chartered Engineer , who made the point that ” unregulated training courses are worthless “, Kevin went on to detail that a properly accredited training is critical for the benefit of the worker.

www.irishwatermeters.ie

* Kevin Murray is a principal of Kevin J Murray & Co Ltd and a Director of Cork Chamber of Commerce

Cork – March x, 2011 – The Chris Mee Group, a leading provider of Health and Safety, Carbon and Environmental services, has appointed Alf Smiddy as Chairman. Alf brings a wealth of experience to the role having spent over twenty years in senior management positions in both a multi-national and Irish indigenous business environment, including twelve years as Chairman and Chief Executive of Beamish & Crawford Plc.

The Chris Mee Group recently moved its Head Quarters from Carrigaline to a new location in Euro Business Park, Little Island, Co Cork. The

Chris Mee and Alf Smiddy (left to right)

 Chris Mee Group also runs a Fire Training Centre located in Raffeen on the main Ringaskiddy Road, Co Cork.

The Chris Mee Group consists of two main companies, Chris Mee Safety Engineering (CMSE), working in the areas of Health & Safety, Environmental and Energy services (consultancy, training, and recruitment); and Carbon Action, offering carbon management and training. Carbon Action has an office in London.

The new and larger Head office will facilitate a broader and better quality of service to all our clients. The new premises has excellent training rooms, cafeteria, meeting rooms and offices.  CMSE offer up to 70 different training programmes covering skills enhancement and legislative requirements.

Chris Mee, Managing Director of Chris Mee Group, said that “We are delighted with the appointment of Alf to the board, his expertise will strengthen the management structure of the Group. We also now have a prime location with our new head office from which to continue the expansion of our Consultancy, Training and Placement services throughout Ireland and overseas”

Chris Mee Group plan to increase staffing levels in 2011 with both permanent and contract hires.  Much of the growth is expected to be overseas in such locations as the UK, Europe and China.

The recruitment process to apply for an Irish Fire Services job is as follows:

· The application forms – candidates with successfully completed forms and minimum entry requirements (e.g. B driving licence) will progress to the next stage.

· “The aptitude test” e.g. English comprehension, observation tests, mathematics, etc. A certain percentage of candidates (2-5%) of the highest grades only are then asked to attend a formal oral interview in which you will be scored on a number of competencies.

· Successful canditates will be placed in order of merit on a panel.

· Classes are called.

· Before people commence training they must perform three more tests.

1. Climb a 13.5M ladder to rule out fear of heights.
2. A claustrophobic test in a small, dark “tunnel”.
3. A medical examination involving chest x-ray, eye sight, hearing, cardiac ECG, lung capacity, blood test for medical problems, etc.

The following areas have had applications this year:

· Clare County Council
· Limerick County Council (Foynes Brigade)
· Limerick City
· Wexford County Council (Gorey)
· Cork County Council – (Bantry, Dunmanway,
Macroom, Midleton)
· Wexford County Council (Enniscorthy)
· Tipperary (Borrisokane, Nenagh, Roscrea,
Cloughjordan, Templemore, Newport & Thurles)
· Mayo (Ballyhaunis)
· Sligo

For information on Fire Training with CMSE visit http://www.cmse.ie/Fire_Training-354.html

For more information on the Irish Fire Services see http://irishfireservices.ie/index.htm

The Construction Amendment Regulations 2010, which were signed into law on November 2nd, specify the information project supervisors construction stage must furnish to the HSA before construction work, which is planned to last for longer than 30 days or where the volume of work is scheduled to exceed 500 person days, begins.

PSCS must give the HSA the names and addresses of the client, PSDP and H&S coordinator (if appointed). The PSCS must also give details of the work. 

Confined spaces

 The new regulations insert the definition of a confined space into the Construction Regulations. The definition is the same as the definition in the Confined Spaces Regulations (SI 218/2001). An additional regulation, which provides that a worker shall not in any circumstances be exposed to a high-risk confined space unless observed from outside at all times and all appropriate precautions have been taken to provide immediate and effective assistance, has been added to regulation 79.

Some other changes include:

As with regulation 22, the changes to other regulations are effected by repealing the entire regulation and re-enacting it either with words added-on or taken out.

Regulation 51: Safety Precautions. The reference to not more than 1.25 metres in sub-section 2 is taken out.

Regulation 79: Health Hazards. The words “as far as reasonably practicable” replace the words “wherever possible” in sub-section 2(a). Two new subsections are added.

The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 will be available to download on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation’s website www.deti.ie

CMSE has conducted the following poll through LinkedIn, which generated some interesting results. Respondent’s were invited to select one of the following statements

Our Company has a Safety Management process because we want to:

1 Reduce risk of death or injury
2 Comply with safety legislation
3 Reduce insurance exposure
4 For all the reasons mentioned
5 We do not implement a system

42% of respondents chose to reduce risk of death and injury as a key reason to implement a safety management process, while 32% felt it was for all reasons 1-3. The desire to comply with safety legislation was selected by 22%c of respondent’s as the primary reason to for their safety management process. These results indicate that although legislation is a key driver in implementing an effective safety management process the basic personal safety of staff is the primary motivation in our poll.

For more information on how to implement a safety management system in your company please contact us info@cmse.ie or 1890 315 415