12
Nov
Why is it important to effectively manage your safety management – and how to get started.
Your introduction to Health and Safety Management Retainers
An effective Flexible Solution to Safety Management is the pillar of any effective organisation. The CMSE Health and Safety Management retainer system is fully transparent and flexible to suit your needs.
Compliance under the 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act is legally required. We assist companies of all sizes in complying with this legal obligation whilst being able to customise the level of support to the needs of your business – allowing you to concentrate on running your business.
All of our Most Popular Retainers include Free Manual Handling training for staff, Full Company Health & Safety Visit/Audit, Detailed Company Risk Profile and Report, and discounts on our Training (Classroom & Online) and Consultancy services
For more information on each package click here
Why do we offer these services?
- Manual Handling Training – Manual Handling involves any transporting or supporting of any load by one or more employees. This includes lifting, pushing, pulling, putting down, carrying or moving a load. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, (General Applications) Regulations 2007, Chapter 4 of Part 2, outline the requirements that must be adhered to in relation to manual handling.
- Company Health & Safety Visit/Audit. This vital piece of your safety management system will help you determine how effective your safety program is. These are the controls required to minimise risk. Audits lead to actions and control measures that MUST be implemented.
- Detailed Company Risk Profile and Report. Risk Profiling will allow you manage risk and balance the cost of controls with the cost of negative event giving you a strong case for a reduction in premiums to your underwriter and insurance broker.
For more information click here or to request a Call regarding Health and Safety Management Retainers please fill in the form below.
6
Nov
NISO Conference 2018
The 55th Annual NISO Health and Safety Conference was hosted by NISO South Region in Killarney on the 12th of October. MC for the conference was Chairperson of the NISO South Region and Senior Safety Consultant at Chris Mee Group Sean O'Shaughnessy. The theme for the conference was “Safety: The Heart of the Matter” and had some fantastic speakers such as;
- The Hon. Mr. Justice Frank Clarke
- Bev Messinger, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
- Dr. Sharon McGuiness, CEO of HSA
O'Shaughnessy said, “It was a great honour for me and I really enjoyed representing the region….”
The conference was followed by the 27th NISO/NISG (National Irish Safety Organisation / Northern Ireland Safety Group) Annual Safety Awards.
These awards demonstrate the positive and proactive culture of safety management and are highly valued across health and safety professionals throughout the island of Ireland.
Winners on the night included:
- Lisa Bourke from Baxter – Safety Representative of the Year,
- Hazel Guinan from Ecolab Limited. – Safety Representative of the Year Runner Up
- Nutricia Infant Nutrition Limited – Superior Performance Award
- John Sisk and Son (Holdings) Ltd. – The Driving for Work Award
- John Graham Construction Ltd. – The Occupational Health Award
Chris Mee Group are a leading provider of EHS services in UK, Ireland & abroad. Our clients range from large multinationals to SMEs. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experienced Consultants by filling in the enquiry form below.
1
Nov
Construction Safety Week 2018 – Our Events and Special Offers!
Chris Mee Group are delighted to have partnered with Portwest, Charles Hughes Ltd and BAM Construction for a Construction Safety week workshop at the Bolands Mill / Google site in Dublin.
The topic of the October 26th workshop was “Working at Height Safety”. Safety tips and rescue techniques were shared with attendees whilst the demonstrator, a Consultant at Chris Mee Group is suspended from height.
The overall aim of the workshop was to influence stronger cultures of health and safety amongst workforces.
Sign up here to receive a link to the event video:
Our Construction Safety week 2018 gift to you!
Use Promo code “CIFSafety18” for a 25% discount on any of our Online Training Courses including;
Click here for full list of ONLINE training courses including manual handling
Offer expires November 14th
7
Sep
The essential Legionella control training that can save lives!
Don’t ignore the essential control training for legionella that can save lives! Bupa to pay £3m for failure to meet requirements for legionella control causing death!
What is Legionella and how does it grow?
Legionella (or full title, legionella pneumophilia) is a rod- shaped bacterium which belongs to the genus Legionella. It naturally occurs in water and soil environments. At low temperatures, under 20oC, the bacteria survive but do not multiply and over 60oC the bacteria die. Legionella bacteria flourish under certain conditions; in temperatures between 20-50oC with optimum growth occurring at a temperature of 37oC. It also flourishes where there is little or no water movement as stagnant water provides an excellent breeding ground for the bacteria. Water systems enhance the spread of bacteria through producing aerosols/water vapour which can then be inhaled.
What are the negative implications on health if inhaled?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia – an infection caused by legionella bacteria (typically affecting men more than women). People with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible and more inclined to contract legionnaires‘ disease (older adults and smokers are also susceptible). It is not contagious but it can be fatal. The disease was first identified in 1976 after an outbreak at the convention of the American legion in Philadelphia where over 220 people were infected resulting in 34 deaths. Since then, numbers of cases have slowly risen with latest figures showing 200-250 reported cases of legionnaires’ disease each year in the UK.
The legionella bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu. Separately or together, the two illnesses are sometimes called legionellosis. Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but untreated legionnaires’ disease can be fatal. Although prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures legionnaires ‘ disease, some people continue to experience problems after treatment.
Real Life Case Study: Bupa care home resident’s death
Bupa have been fined over £3m for the death of care home resident, Kenneth Ibbetson, 86. It has been revealed that Bupa failed to implement measures to control and monitor the hot and cold water systems at the Hutton Village Nursing Home in Essex during refurbishment works in 2015. Ibbetson moved to the care home in March 2015 and died just one month later on 23rd June 2015 from legionnaires’ disease. It was later proven that he contracted the bacteria from the water systems that delivered water to his bedroom.
Samples taken from the tap in Ibbetson’s bedroom later revealed there was a high concentration of legionella bacteria in the water. Bupa failed to properly train staff who were responsible for overseeing legionella controls and measuring the temperature of the water and the results of this were fatal for Kenneth Ibbetson. This in turn was a breach of S 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work act and paid £151,482 costs. This highlights the importance of monitoring and controlling water systems temperatures.
How can I monitor legionella and prevent a case like that of the Bupa fatality?
By carrying out detailed legionella risk assessments that both identify and assess the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria in your workplace. The assessment will identify the work activities and locations of the exposures and in turn will list precisely any necessary precautionary control measures both interim and long term.
What can CMSE Consultancy offer in terms of services?
CMSE Consultancy are delighted to offer these detailed legionella risk assessments. Our main objective is to ensure that the health and safety of people in the workplace is maintained to the highest of standards; in keeping with applicable Irish legislation. With regard to legionella, Irish legislation states that under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agent) act 1994 there are specific requirements for controlling biological agents. These requirements include;
- Risk assessments should be carried out to assess the risk on all hot and cold water system
- Exposure should be prevented where a risk is identified.
- Implementation of an effective Legionella Control Programme.
- Adequate training and instruction should be provided with respect to risk and precautions
The services that CMSE Consultancy provides within these risk assessments are as followed:
- Identification of the possible sources of Legionella bacteria
- Sampling water systems to assess risk of bacteria
- Calculate the risk of potential bacteria contamination
- The identification of particular means by which exposure to Legionella bacteria can be prevented
- If prevention is not reasonably practicable, the particular means by which the risk from exposure to Legionella bacteria can be controlled
It is evident that monitoring and controlling of the water temperature is crucial in maintaining a safe environment; be it a workplace, nursing home or your very own family home. With the help of CMSE Consultancy you can ensure that the highest standards of Irish legislation are met, and you can sleep with the reassurance of knowing that your employees/patients/family are safe.
EMAIL OR CALL US NOW FOR MORE INFO!
Email Enquiry: Info@cmse.ie
Dublin: +353 1 517 5270, Cork: +353 21 497 8100