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In this section you will find information and guidance developed by the Health & Safety Authority that is industry / sector specific. We have included the most relevant documentation that will help you expand your knowledge in these areas. Further information and guidance is also available to download at our publications section on the Health & Safety Authority webpage.

 

 

 

  Safety Alerts

 

 

 Health & Safety Authority Safety Alerts Webpage 

 

safety_filePublications

 

Asbestos 

  • asbestos_flyer_coverAsbestos Information Sheet (PDF 2509KB)
  • asbestos_guidelines_coverAsbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) in Workplaces - Practical Guidelines on ACM Management and Abatement (PDF 2432KB)
  • ACM_CoverCarraige of Asbestos-Containing Materials by Road (PDF 953KB)

Chainsaws

  • chainsaw_infosheet_coverChainsaw Safety Training Advice Information Sheet (PDF 560KB) 

Chemicals and Health

  • hazchem_datasheet_coverSafety Data Sheet (SDS) for Hazardous Chemicals Information Sheet (PDF, 252KB)
  • respiratory_protective_equipment A Guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment (PDF 879KB)
  • diesel_exhaust_coverSafe Working with Diesel Engine Exhaust (PDF, 300KB) 
  • Silica_Thumb Silica Dust Information Sheet (PDF, 222 KB)
  • MMMF_Thumb Machine Made Mineral Fibres (MMMF) Information Sheet (PDF, 353KB)
  • SPF_Thumb Safety with Spray Polyurethane Foam Information Sheet (PDF, 350KB)

Electricity

  • Electrical_Inspection_CoverGuidance Note on Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations (PDF 1179KB)
  • gates_guide_coverGuidelines on the Safety of Powered Gates (PDF 1.2MB) 

Homeowner Guidance

  • homeowners_guide_coverGuide for Homeowners Getting Construction Work Carried Out (PDF 516KB)

Manual Handling

  • Management_of_Manual_Handling_in_the_Constrcution_Sector An Introduction to the Management of Manual Handling in the Construction Sector (PDF 3360KB)
  • cover_of_roof_tiles_publicationReducing the Manual Handling of Roof Panels (PDF 742KB)

PSCS Guidance

  • contractors_guide_coverGuide for Contractors and Project Supervisors Carrying Out Construction Work (PDF 2.1MB)
  • Definition_of_Construction_Work_Cover Definition of Construction Work (PDF 673KB)

Safety Management

  • Safety Statements and Risk Assessments (PDF, 4.1MB)
  • A Guide to Maintaining Best Practices in Safety and Health (PDF, 1.3MB)

Safety Signs

  •  Safety Signs at a Place of Work Guide (PDF, 2141KB)

Transport

  • site_cabins_IS_coverSafe Load Securing of Cabins and Site Prefabs (PDF, 0.6MB)

Working on Roads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

appointmentsForms

Notifications

  • AF1 Approved Form (AF 1) - Particulars to be notified by the Client to the HSA before the design process begins (AF1 Form)

  • AF2 Approved Form (AF 2) - Particulars to be notified by Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage to the Health and Safety Authority before the construction work begins (Report AF2 online)

Lifting Equipment 

  • GA1z Form GA1 - Report of Thorough Examination (PDF 489KB)

 

  • ga2 Form GA2 - Report of Weekly Examination (PDF 378KB)

Work at Height 

  • GA3 Form GA3 - Inspection of Work Equipment for Working at Height (PDF 369KB)

Personal Floatation Devices

  • af4 Approved Form (AF4) - Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices (PDF 556KB)

Fire Safety Checklist

 

 Records_ManagementTemplates and Registers

Templates - Risk Assessment, Pregnancy and Method Statement 

Registers - Induction, Training and PPE 

Pressure Vessels - Register and Report of Thorough Examination

  • Picture1 Pressure Vessels Template Register (31KB)
  • X-20120405163729832 Examination of a Pressure Vessel Information Sheet (PDF 71.4KB)

 

 

Note: Downloading in Rich Text Format (RTF) means you can edit the document

 

PSCS

Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)

The role of the project supervisor construction stage is to manage and co-ordinate health and safety matters during the construction stage.  The project supervisor construction stage is appointed before the construction work begins and remains in that position until all construction work on the project is completed.

Project Supervisor Construction Stage Duties

  • Co-ordinate the implementation of the construction regulations by contractors;
  • Organise co-operation between contractors and the provision of information;
  • Co-ordinate the reporting of accidents to the Authority;
  • Notify the Authority before construction commences where construction is likely to take more than 500 person days or 30 working days;
  • Provide information to the site safety representative;
  • Co-ordinate the checking of safe working procedures;
  • Co-ordinate measures to restrict entry on to the site;
  • Co-ordinate the provision and maintenance of welfare facilities;
  • Co-ordinate arrangements to ensure that craft, general construction workers, and security workers have a Safety Awareness card, e.g. Safe Pass and a Construction Skills card where required;
  • Co-ordinate the appointment of a site safety representative where there are more than 20 persons on site;
  • Appoint a safety adviser where there are more than 100 on site;
  • Provide all necessary safety file information to the PSDP;
  • Monitor the compliance of contractors and others and take corrective action where necessary;
  • Notify the Authority and the client of non-compliance with any written directions issued;
  • The PSCS may issue directions to designers or contractors.

PSCS Guidance

  • contractors_guide_coverGuide for Contractors and Project Supervisors Carrying Out Construction Work (PDF 2.1MB)
  • Definition_of_Construction_Work_Cover Definition of Construction Work (PDF 673KB)

safesystem

Develop a Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan Using BeSMART.ie

The Project Supervisor Construction Stage must develop a suitable Safety and Health Plan for the project, prior to the commencement of construction work. The plan provides the blueprint for managing and co-ordinating safety and health during construction. The plan needs to explain how the key safety and health issues will be managed. It must be relevant to the particular project and should be built on the Safety and Health Plan prepared on a preliminary basis by the Project Supervisor Design Process.

How to Develop a Plan

You can now develop a Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan using the template which is available for download when you complete a risk assessment for your construction business type using BeSMART.ie

  • Register for a confidential account on BeSMART.ie or access as a Guest User (your risk assessments will not be saved)
  • Pick your construction business type
  • Work through the hazard assessments and when complete you will arrive at the management screen

Note: If you have already completed a risk assessment for a construction business type the option to download a construction stage safety and health plan will appear automatically in your My BeSMART Management Screen, otherwise you will have to work through a risk assessment for a construction business type before you will get the option to download the template.

Management Screen

When you get to the management screen you will be now given the following four options; 

1. Download your safety statement including risk assessments and action list or;

2. Manage Your Action List

3. Browse Hazards;

4. Construction Stage Plan - download and develop a Construction Stage Plan Template with your risk assessments and action list.;

Select - Construction Stage Plan

The construction stage safety and health plan, the plan will then be downloaded in RTF (Rich Text Format) and can be saved as a Word or Pages document for future development and editing.

Important

  • You must then develop your construction stage safety and health plan by adding all relevant information about your project and following the information and guidance contained in the document
  • Finally keep the construction stage safety and health plan updated and ensure the relevant information is available to anybody associated with the project that may need it
  • You must keep a master copy of your construction stage safety and health plan that you have developed on a local or secure storage area as BeSMART.ie does not have the capability of editing or saving updated files

 

Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan - Contents and Introduction

a Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan - Contents and Introduction (PDF, 0.3MB) 

 

 

slipsAccident and Dangerous Occurrence Reporting

All accidents and incidents should be investigated and detailed records kept which could include, photographs, CCTV, witness statements etc. The following forms and link can be used to record and report accidents or incidents that occur in the workplace.

Form IR1 - Notification of Accident

  • Form IR1 - Accidents can be reported to the Health and Safety Authority in two ways, namely by hard copy, i.e. completing the Incident Report Form (IR1) and posting it to the Workplace Contact Unit, Health and Safety Authority, The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1. Forms can be obtained by contacting the HSA at 1890 289389.
  • Or you can report accidents online, via the Health and Safety Authority's website, IR1 Online

Form IR3 - Form of Notification of a Dangerous Occurence

  • X-20120405163729832 Form IR3 - Form of Notification of a Dangerous Occurence (PDF 98KB)

Internal Accident / Incident Investigation Form

  • Picture1 Internal Accident/Incident Investigation Form (RTF 320KB)

Guidance on Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences

  • X-20120405163729832 Guidance on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 2016 (PDF 1.2MB)

instruction2Training

Tool Box Talks for Construction

Tool Box Talks for Construction Training Register

  • TBT1 Tool Box Talks for Construction Training Register (PDF 88KB) 

 

safesystemCodes of Practice

 

Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Overhead Electricity Lines

  • Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Overhead Electricity Lines (PDF 605KB)

Code of Practice for Safety in Roofwork

Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces

  • Confined_Spaces_COP_CoverCode of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces (PDF 1.6MB)

Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services

  • Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (PDF 1.0MB)

Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds

  • CoP_Scaffolds_coverCode of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds (PDF 8MB)

Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Anchors

  • Anchors_COP_1Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Anchors (PDF 8.6MB)

Code of Practice - For Contractors with Three or Less Employees 

  • CoP_Construction_3_or_less_employees_coverCode of Practice - For Contractors with Three or Less. This code of practice is designed to reduce accidents and fatalities in the construction sector and assist small contractors comply with safety and health legislation. PLEASE NOTE: THIS PUBLICATION COSTS €50, IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN HARD COPY FORMAT AND CAN BE ORDERED BY PHONING 1890 289389.

 

 

safe_Systems_of_WorkConstruction Safe System of Work Plans

The primary objective of the SSWP is to identify the major hazards associated with your work activities and to ensure that appropriate controls are in place before work commences. The Safe System of Work Plan (SSWP) complements the Safety Statement required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

 

SSWP Building and Monument Maintenance Form

 SSWP Road Works Form

 SSWP Civil Engineering

 SSWP Demolition

 SSWP House Building

SSWP Commercial Buildings

 

 

mandatory_safety_reqWork Related Vehicles

 

Load Security

  • Safe_Load_Securing_of_Precast_Concrete_Loads_cover Safe Load Securing of Precast Concrete Loads (PDF 1.2MB) 
  • Safe_Load_Securing_of_Structural_Steel_Loads_cover Safe Load Securing of Structural Steel Loads (PDF 1.8MB) 
  • Safe_Load_Securing_of_Plant_and_Machinery_cover Safe Load Securing of Plant and Machinery (PDF 1.3MB) 

Plant

  • Dumper Safe Use of Site Dumpers on Construction Sites (PDF 152KB)
  • dumper_truck_prestart_checks Site Dumper and 360 Excavator Pre-Start Checks (PDF 270KB)

Driving for Work

 

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Positively supporting employee engagement and wellbeing

 
Work PositiveCI is a FREE State and stakeholder supported psychosocial risk management process that helps organisations identify ways to improve employee wellbeing.
 

Use Work PositiveCI to improve employee wellbeing

Work PositiveCI is a completely confidential psychosocial risk management process. It involves a ‘whole workforce’ approach which can be rolled out over a three to six month period and be re-used every few years.

Identify and measure psychosocial risk including critical incident exposure

Work PositiveCI assesses workplace stressors, employee psychological wellbeing and critical incident exposure in the workplace. If not properly managed these stressors can lead to poor mental health and wellbeing, increased sickness absence, presenteesim and lower productivity.

Receive actionable feedback

It provides easy-to-understand online reports, identifies risk areas and provides clear guidance on ways to improve employee wellbeing, enabling focused action to be taken. Work PositiveCIprovides specific support and guidance in addressing critical incident exposure in the workplace.

Improve performance

Work PositiveCI can lead to high impact results, such as reducing sickness absence and turnover, and increasing employee engagement, wellbeing and productivity.

Comply with current legislation

Work PositiveCI helps employers comply with health and safety legislation at a national and European level. Employers are obliged under the Irish Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to ensure safe places of work for all employees, which covers mental as well as physical health and safety.

Free and easy to use

There is no software to download. The surveys take ten to fifteen minutes to complete. You can log in to create surveys, access your response rates and view results 24/7, using any Wi-Fi enabled device. The surveys are completely FREE to use.

Confidential

Work PositiveCI is completely confidential. The data is processed by an independent service provider in compliance with applicable Data Protection legislation.

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project_infoeLearning

 construction_safety_and_health_1

Safety and Health in Construction

This introductory course aims to help learners to develop an overview of safety and health in construction. It is relevant for those at third level in construction-related disciplines as well as those undertaking apprenticeships in any construction-related areas.

Course Duration: 120 minutes.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• Recognise the importance of managing safety and health in construction and key legislation.
• Report workplace accidents.
• Understand training, first aid and welfare provisions.
• Identify types of hazards and ways to prevent accidents.
• Understand how to plan a safe working environment in construction by implementing safety procedures for electrical equipment, overhead electricity lines, demolition and many more important aspects of safety.

smp

Construction Safety: The Safety Management Pack (SMP20)

This course explains the Safety Management Pack for construction contractors with 20 or fewer employees (SMP 20). SMP20 will help you to plan your work in a safe way and protect your employees and the people around you.

Course Duration: 45 minutes.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• Develop your own safety statement and improve your work methods.
• Order your SMP20 Pack from the Construction Safety Partnership using your unique 'Certificate Number'.