Health and Safety Times - Issue 53

HEALTH SAFETY TIMES

SIPTU CAMPAIGN ON TRACK TO ‘RESPECT TRANSPORT WORKERS’

HSA SAFETY TEAM INVESTIGATES IMPACT OF ASSAULTS ON HEALTHCARE STAFF

RISE IN RETAIL CRIME LEVELS WITH RETAIL WORKERS PAYING THE PRICE

‘TRAIN-THE-TRAINER’ APPROACH WORKS TO IMPROVE FARM SAFETY CULTURE

CONTENTS

4 NEWS UPDATE

* Code of Practice on Flexible & Remote Working

* HSA Chemical Agents Code of Practice

* Farm Safety Awareness Campaign

* Central Bank reports drop in settlement claim costs

* Unions ratify public sector pay agreement

* NISO-NISG Health and Safety Awards 2024

* ASTI surveys teacher online bullying cases

17 TRANSPORT WORKER SAFETY

SIPTU’s new ‘Respect Transport Workers’ campaign is demanding greater protection for staff on bus, rail and Luas networks against anti-social behaviour and abuse, including a dedicated policing unit for the public transport sector.

27 OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

The Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland and the British Occupational Hygiene Society are calling on all professionals and stakeholders to take part in the triennial Scientific Conference of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) on 9-13 June in Dublin.

28 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

The Health and Safety Authority’s national policy and inspection team is investigating the impact of the rising level of assaults against nurses and midwives on Ireland’s healthcare sector.

33 HAZARDOUS MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

20 RETAIL CRIME

The sharp rise in retail crime levels across Ireland, according to the latest CSO figures, is having a major impact on shop owners and workers, who regularly must deal with aggressive, sexist and racist criminals armed with weapons and threatening behaviour.

39 WORKPLACE SMOKING BAN

Ireland’s workplace smoking ban was the first initiative of its kind in the world. It saved more than 3,700 lives in just under four years after it was first implemented in March 2004.

Ireland’s trade union Fórsa and the European Biosafety Network are calling for greater protection from long-term exposure to hazardous medicinal products, which may cause cancer, leukaemia and miscarriages in health and social care workers such as pharmacists, technicians and nurses.

35 MENOPAUSE WORKPLACE AWARDS

Gardaí are being asked to shape the first ever menopause guidance policy for the force, by taking part in a survey to investigate how An Garda Síochána can become a more menopause friendly employer and to support female staff by raising awareness across the ranks.

41 HSA PROGRAMME OF WORK

The Health and Safety Authority’s latest Programme of Work, which contains some hard-hitting pointers for both employers and employees, aims to complete 10,000 proactive workplace inspections during 2024.

43 WORKPLACE FATALITIES 2023

The high-risk farming and construction sectors accounted for over two thirds of all fatalities last year. Data from the Health and Safety Authority has revealed that a total of 43 people lost their lives in workrelated incidents during 2023.

45 VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING

A new Virtual Reality programme, designed specifically for workplace health and safety training, has been launched by Technological University (TU) Dublin and BioPharmaChem Skillnet, one of 70 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide.

47 FARM SAFETY CULTURE

The ‘Train-the-Trainer’ approach has the potential to vastly improve farm safety practices and the culture of those living and working on farms. This was a key finding of a PhD study at the School of Psychology, University of Galway.

51

EU-OSHA WORKPLACES CAMPAIGN

As digitalisation continues to reshape the workplace, EU-OSHA’s latest campaign ‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ aims to raise awareness, promote collaboration and pave the way for a future where occupational safety and health remain top priority alongside technological advancement.

54 EUROPEAN FOCUS

* European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) 2024

* EU Platform Work Directive to end bogus self-employment

* Eurofound report finds future selfemployment in Europe may decline

* Latest survey on managing safety and health in the workplace

56 UK NEWS

* Sick pay system “in desperate need of reform” – TUC

* ‘JOINTWORKS’ to tackle chronic MSDs in ageing workforce

* UK-USA agencies join forces in major concussion research

* 15% increase in construction fatalities in past year

* RoSPA appoints first female chief executive

58 INTERNATIONAL NEWS

*Ukraine’s health transport workers face increased risk of attack and injury

* Over 57% of Palestinian workers now out of work due to war in Gaza

* EU-UN project to ‘PROTECT’ female migrant workers in Southeast Asia

* US Safety Council ramps up fight against workplace DRUG overdoses

60 US HEALTHCARE WORKER WELLBEING

As part of the first federal campaign to address US healthcare worker burnout, a guide for hospital leaders to improve healthcare worker wellbeing has been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

RIVER DODDER FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT

Flood Protection – Enhanced Environment

NEW CODE OF PRACTICE ON FLEXIBLE AND REMOTE WORKING REQUESTS

The work-life balance rights for workers have been strengthened, following the introduction of a new Code of Practice on making and managing requests for flexible work and remote work.

The Code of Practice, developed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and social partners will now guide employers, employees and their representatives through the request process in compliance with new law and best practice principles.

Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), said: “Making it easier for people to combine their professional and personal life through greater flexibility on when and where they work is good for workers and families.

“It is good for businesses who get to retain valuable and often highly trained staff. It is good for society and for the economy too. It will help close the gender gaps in employment, care, pay and pensions. Everyone wins.”

He said that it why Congress Private Sector Committee was first to call on the Government to bring Ireland into line with long-established employment law across EU and other English-speaking countries. “It puts in place a legal framework for making and managing requests to work flexibly and remote,” Reidy added.

ICTU’s Social Policy Officer Dr Laura Bambrick said: “While workers have always had a right to ask their boss for a change in the hours they work, the times they work or their place of work, the Work Life Balance Act and the Code of Practice ends the situation where requests can be ignored or dismissed out of hand for no good reason.

“Employers are now required to take account of the worker’s needs and the requirements of the new Code of Practice in addition to the needs of the business when considering a request and any changes that might later be sought or made to an agreed arrangement.”

ICTU’s General Secretary Owen Reidy added: “Our cross-union ‘Make Remote Work!’ campaigning group welcomes the improvements to and commencement of these new workers’ right, after a previous false dawn.” He also acknowledged ICTU’s “tireless work and the work of the former Minister for Employment, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman and their officials to bring us to this point”.

2024 CHEMICAL AGENTS CODE OF PRACTICE PUBLISHED BY HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY

The Health and Safety Authority has published the 2024 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations (2001-2021) & the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations (2024).

These regulations consolidate the 2001 Carcinogens regulations along with amendments in 2015 and 2019. The 2024 regulations along with the Code of Practice have transposed Directive (EU) 2022/431, which is the fourth update to Directive 2004/37/EC (Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD)).

This Directive brings reprotoxic substances under its scope and introduces hazardous medicinal products (HMPs). Both the regulations and Code will not introduce any new or additional national measures other than what is required from Directive (EU) 2022/431.

It revises the limit values for three key carcinogens: benzene, acrylonitrile and nickel compounds. The Biological Limit Values for lead have also been transferred from the Chemical Agents Directive to the CMR Directive.

The new Chemical Agents Code of Practice can be downloaded from www.hsa.ie

HSA CAMPAIGNS TO PROMOTE FARM MACHINERY SAFETY AWARENESS

A farm safety awareness campaign has been jointly rolled out by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Health and Safety Authority to focus on promoting behavioural change when operating farm vehicles and machinery.

Over the last ten years there have been 191 farm fatalities of which over half, or 96 people, lost their lives in incidents involving farm vehicles and machinery; 16 of the 17 child fatalities in the same period involved farm vehicles and machinery.

According to the Teagasc National Farm Survey in 2020, approximately 11% of the 4,500 non-fatal incidents on Irish farms each year, involve farm vehicles and machinery, with some resulting in life-changing injuries.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon TD, jointly launched the campaign with Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Neale Richmond

Minister Heydon said: “Right now farmers are battling difficult weather conditions, but these sobering figures highlight the serious safety risks associated with farm vehicles and machinery. In the weeks ahead tractor activity will increase, and we need to drive down the unacceptably high number of fatalities involving farm vehicles and machinery.”

Minister Richmond added that the needless loss of life on Irish farms is an ongoing tragedy. “Farmers must take safety on their farms seriously and take common sense actions to protect themselves and their families. Tractors and farm machinery pose well-known dangers that must be addressed. No job is so important or urgent that a person’s life is put in danger or harm’s way. Don’t take short cuts, it’s just not worth it.”

Conor O’Brien, CEO of the Heath Safety Authority stated: “The evidence is clear, farm machinery and tractors are the leading cause of fatalities and injuries on our farms. Many of these incidents are caused by poor maintenance and upkeep so make sure your machinery is in good working order, particularly brakes and mirrors.”

He said that HSA inspectors will be undertaking a nationwide farm inspection blitz over the coming weeks to support the campaign and help farmers to understand and address the issues.

LARGE DROP IN COSTS OF SETTLING CLAIMS THROUGH INJURIES RESOLUTION BOARD

The average cost of settling claims through the Injuries Resolution Board decreased by 33% in 2022 in comparison to 2020, according to the latest report from the Central Bank.

Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, says that the ‘National Claims Information Database (NCID): Employers’ Liability, Public Liability and Commercial Property Insurance Report 3’ shows that the Injuries Resolution Board is providing a muchneeded, timely and cost-effective service.

“The work of the Board is important for all of us – and provides annual savings to the economy of tens of millions of euros by avoiding the need for expensive and lengthy litigation in personal injury claims,” the Minister noted.

In December 2023 Minister Calleary announced that the Injuries Resolution Board would offer mediation in addition to assessment as a new service for resolving claims.

“Mediation sees a significant step change for resolving claims in this country. The response to the introduction of mediation has been positive with up to 40% of claimants willing to have their claim mediated,” he added.

He said that he will commence further legislation later this year to introduce mediation for public liability injury claims and motor liability claims.

“Mediation will help both claimants and respondents to reach a mutual agreement in personal injury claims and help reduce the time, costs and stress involved for all parties.”

Great Northern Distillery Carrick Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. A91 P8W9

Ph:+353(0)429429005

E: office@gndireland.com

The Great Northern Distillery in Dundalk, Co. Louth in Ireland. The Great Northern Distillery is largest Independent Distillery in Ireland which has been operational since 2015.

The Distillery operates two distinctive distilleries pot stills and columns that produce a diverse range of Irish whiskey spirit’s including grain, triple malt, double malt, peated malt and pot still whiskey. The distillery has a current capacity of 16 million litres of spirit with an opportunity to expand production.

The primary market for our distillery is bulk private labels, contract distilling, retail own label and supplementing spirit and whiskey for smaller distilleries and in the home and international markets. Presently the Irish Whiskey Market is the fastest growing brown spirit sales in the world.

www.gndireland.com

‘WORK POSITIVE’ RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL GETS MAKEOVER

Work Positive CI – the State backed, long-term risk assessment tool to help organisations identify workrelated stress and ways to improve employee wellbeing – has been completely revamped.

The free online tool, which was first launched in March 2017 by the Health and Safety Authority, in conjunction with the State Claims Agency and the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Network, helps employers to implement a structured and collaborative approach to managing psychosocial hazards (i.e. work-related stress). The upgraded website is easier to use, produces quicker reports and remains entirely confidential and voluntary.

It provides feedback on workplace stress, employee psychological wellbeing and critical incident exposure in the workplace. It delivers structured guidance enabling organisations to develop an action plan to mitigate against these stressors.

Work Positive CI is based around the following four-stage approach:

• Prepare – Build a business case, secure commitment and establish a steering group.

• Measure – Identify risk and opportunity within workplace using the survey tools.

• Action Plan – Explore and prioritise the key actions, develop an action plan.

• Review – Review progress and revitalise the action plan.

Confidential management reports will identify risk areas and ways to improve employee wellbeing, enabling focused action to be taken. This can lead to high impact results, such as reductions in sickness absence and increased employee motivation.

The Work PositiveCI tool helps employers to comply with health and safety legislation at a national and European level, and the data is processed by an independent service provider in compliance with applicable Data Protection legislation.

For further information visit

https://www.workpositive.ie

ICTU CHALLENGES MYTHS TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS

The ICTU has published a paper entitled ‘Challenging Myths and Improving Working Conditions in a Strong Economy’, which seeks to infuse some perspective and balance in the debate about the cost of doing business in Ireland today.

Commenting on the report, Owen Reidy General Secretary of Congress stated, “We have heard the cries from a variety of business groups in the first few months of this year regarding the costs of doing business in Ireland, the argument that jobs will be lost and just how hard some employers have it.

“Our paper seeks to deal with the facts, not the fiction, the data not the anecdote around some of the recent welcome but modest labour market reforms. Most of the reforms merely bring us into line with our EU counterparts.

“Employers (correctly in some instances) have received additional supports from government due to Brexit, Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. It seems some employers are not able to wean themselves off such supports.”

With 2.71 million people now at work, for too many of these workers work does not pay, he added. “We hear some employers state that many of these modest reforms are coming at them all at once. Most if not all, were flagged in the Programme for Government and have been staggered over years.

“We hear some employers talk of a sharp rise in business failures, but PWC stated that business failures in 2023 were 27 per 10,000 which is nearly half the average of the previous 20 years at 50 per 10,000 including the period of the global economic crash.

“We need this discussion based on reality and not fantasy. Employers in Ireland pay about half of what employers in the EU pay when it comes to taxes on labour. We need to ensure our economy and labour market work for workers and not just businesses.”

Pictured at the launch of the website in March 2017 were (l-r): Ciaran Breen, Director of the State Claims Agency; Pat Breen, Minister for Trade, Employment and Business; Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform; Martin O Halloran, CEO of the HSA; and Brendan McNicholas, Chair of CISM Network Ireland.

RECOVERY AT HOME

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PUBLIC SECTOR PAY DEAL

RATIFIED BY UNIONS

The new public sector pay agreement, recently ratified by the ICTU Public Services Committee, will see full and final unwinding of 2009 FEMPI legislation and provides for unions to negotiate up to an additional 3% of pay costs via local bargaining.

The Public Services Committee (PSC) has ratified the new public sector pay agreement, which covers 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2026. Most of the 19 affiliated unions have returned their members’ ballots with sizable majorities in favour of the new pay agreement, paving the way for pay improvements worth 9.25% (with a further 1% available for local bargaining) for public sector workers.

PSC Chair and Fórsa General Secretary Kevin Callinan said the new agreement marks the end of an era of industrial relations conducted under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation.

“Unions had sought the full and final unwinding of the legislation in these negotiations to re-establish normal industrial relations. This agreement also provides specific provisions for local bargaining, which will give trade unions the scope to negotiate up to an additional 3% of pay costs, inclusive of allowances, for particular grades, groups or categories of employee,” he added.

“In both respects we’ve established a unique pay agreement, while ensuring the maximisation of benefits for public servants in the early phase, with 4.25% payable this year,” he said.

The pay proposals are estimated to be worth up to 17.3% for lower paid workers, because each of the flat-rate elements of the pay deal are worth more to public servants earning below €50k per annum. The benefit is greater for incomes below this level of salary.

Unions will not be able to lodge any ‘cost-increasing’ claims for improvements in pay or conditions during the lifetime of the agreement. However, the specific provisions for local bargaining will allow trade unions to negotiate up to an additional 3% of pay costs, inclusive of allowances, for particular grades, groups or categories of employee.

Detailed arrangements for local bargaining will be agreed by 30 June, with local negotiations to take place between July 2024 and June 2025, and agreements secured, to the greatest extent possible, through direct negotiations.

ALL-IRELAND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARDS 2024

The 33rd All-Ireland Occupational Health and Safety Awards, which will be presented after NISO’s Annual Conference in Killarney on 11 October, will again offer companies an opportunity to demonstrate the positive and proactive culture of safety management within their businesses.

The All-Ireland Occupational Safety Awards, which was first established nationally in 1992 with just 20 entries, have since grown to become Ireland’s premier safety awards. The awards became an All-Ireland affair when the Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG) joined forces with the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) in 1995. To date, almost 3,000 entries have been received.

Entry Deadline Dates:

26 April: Early Bird Entries (€390 - Ireland; £310 + 20% VAT – N. Ireland)

31 May: Standard Entries (€650 - Ireland; £510 + 20% - N. Ireland)

21 June: Late Entries (Additional fee of €160 (Ireland); £135 + 20% VAT (N. Ireland)

Early September: Awards Notification Date (TBC)

11 October: All Ireland Safety Awards Ceremony

According to Harry Galvin, NISO President, “The awards recognise the many companies pursuing the highest standards in safety and serves as a great overview of their own safety and health strategies. The end results give each entry the opportunity to compare their own safety performance to similar organisations and to industry in general.”

For further information visit http://safetyawards.ie/downloads/

INMO, Fórsa and ICTU officials pictured following agreement on the Public Sector Pay Deal.

NISO President Harry Galvin and Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Declan Grady, Group EHS Manager with Jones Engineering; Wendy Beatty, NISG Chair, and Austin Broderick, HSE Lead at Irving Oil (award sponsor) pictured at the presentation of the All-Ireland Supreme Award for 2023 to Jones Engineering Group at the awards ceremony in Galway in October 2023. The Irish-based contractor also won awards for ‘Occupational Health’ and the ‘Excellence in Safety’.

STAY LOCAL GO FAR

SUCCESS FOR SOLAS WITH IBEC’S ‘KEEPWELL MARK’ AWARD

SOLAS, the Further Education and Training, Authority, has been awarded Ibec’s KeepWell Mark, a national accreditation that recognises organisations which put the health and wellbeing of employees at the centre of company policy.

Ibec’s accreditation process measured the performance of SOLAS against a set of recognised standards across eight pillars of wellbeing – leadership, absence management, health and safety, mental health, smoke free, physical activity, healthy eating, and intoxicants.

Andrew Brownlee, CEO at SOLAS said: “A key part of our role is driving the continuing transformation and success of the FET (Further Education and Training) sector. It is vital that we make SOLAS a great place to work for our employees and become a leader on people and culture across the public sector.

“The KeepWell Mark highlights our commitment to supporting employee wellbeing. Our Employee Assistance Programme is designed to support staff in resolving personal or work-related concerns, to have a healthier and happier working life.”

Recent SOLAS wellbeing initiatives implemented have included the Blended Working Policy to enhance employee motivation, performance, and productivity, in addition to the SOLAS Team Steps Challenge, nutrition and mindfulness sessions, and several webinars, campaigns, and training to improve staff physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.

Rachel Hehir, Ibec’s Head of Commercial Products, said that the KeepWell programme focuses on key areas of workplace wellbeing, including leadership, mental health, absence management, physical activity, and healthy eating.

“Upon joining the programme, organisations receive our framework of standards across all aspects of workplace wellbeing, along with tools to benchmark their current performance and establish new standards to enhance employee wellbeing. We look forward to continuing our work with SOLAS on the next phases of their wellbeing journey.”

SOLAS began the accreditation process for The KeepWell Mark in January 2023 and has since undergone a rigorous and in-depth assessment, which included a self-assessment, evidence gathering, submissions, and an on-site assessment and verification by an Ibec independent assessor.

This was SOLAS’ first attempt at applying for the KeepWell Mark and received certification which is valid for two years, pending a mid-cycle check-up in 2024.

NATIONAL WORKPLACE WELLBEING DAY 2024

Employers’ group Ibec will host National Workplace Wellbeing Day on Friday 26 April, for the 10 th year in a row, in a bid to further raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing in the workplace at a national level.

Ireland was the first country in Europe to put in place a day devoted to workplace wellbeing, in a bid to enable employers to communicate directly with their employees and highlight the programmes and activities available.

“More businesses now place wellbeing on the board agenda and greater attention is being placed on how wellbeing can be recognised as a critical part of a businesses’ Environmental, Social and Governance strategy,” according to Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec.

Ibec has also launched a special initiative – Random Acts of Kindness – to encourage companies to foster an environment of support by incorporating small, thoughtful gestures into the workday.

CALLS ON EMPLOYERS TO MAKE WORKPLACES MENOPAUSE FRIENDLY

Irish employers face the risk of being sued for discrimination if they fail to make their workplaces menopause friendly.

The warning from The Menopause Hub CEO and founder, Loretta Dignam, comes as fresh UK guidelines state that severe menopausal symptoms can now be considered a disability if they have a “long-term and substantial impact” on an employee’s performance.

“Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman has commissioned research on menopause and menstrual health in the workplace and we should expect new guidelines later this year. More training for HR staff and greater flexibility for employees going through menopause, bring substantial benefits to the workplace, and help to protect employers from expensive legal battles.”

Irish employers now risk being sued for discrimination if they fail to make workplaces menopause friendly, according to Loretta Dignam, Menopause Hub founder and CEO.

In its new guidance, the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission states that organisations could face legal action under British disability laws if they fail to provide “reasonable adjustments”, such as adequate temperature controls in the office, appropriate uniforms, and working from home arrangements, to help staff manage menopausal symptoms.

Research by The Menopause Hub found that one third of Irish women had seriously considered quitting their jobs due to the impact that menopausal symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, brain fog, and insomnia, was having on their performance at work.

Andrew Brownlee, CEO at SOLAS, pictured with staff following the award presentation.

EAGLE STREET

PAN - EUROPEAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND ASSET MANAGER

Eagle Street is a fully integrated asset management platform, primarily focused on value-add, platform creation strategies in the UK and Ireland which accord with our investment themes.

Founded in 2020 by Justin Bickle and Shane Scully, the combined management team has extensive experience investing and building businesses across the cycle.

Unique combination of entrepreneurial ethos and access to off -market opportunities with a private equity mindset, institutional management pedigree and ESG focus.

Targeted approach to four high conviction strategies: Residential, Life Sciences, Commercial Offices and Credit.

Excellent track record of deployment and value creation over the past 10 years. Eagle Street partners with institutional investors and asset managers across each of the sectors in which it is active.

Eagle Street has assembled a value add office portfolio in Ireland and the UK, with blue chip tenants including Accenture, Santander and GSK.

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RESIDENT SPACE

EAGLE STREET’S VERTICALLY INTEGRATED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PLA TFORM

Resident Space launched in November 2021 with the acquisition of a 702unit PRS development in Dublin, backed by pension funds and institutional capital

In May 2022, Eagle Street acquired a 554 unit PRS development with Harrison Street Real Estate.

Development works are underway on the active sites, while pipeline sites are being appraised.

Upon completion in 2025, the East Road and Castleforbes sites will create one of the largest BTR platforms in Dublin.

Resident Space continues to seek both opportunities with full planning permission and subject to planning opportunities as part of its growth strategy.

Resident Space aims to create one of Ireland’s leading Residential Platforms, with a target portfolio of 5,000 Units – located in areas of high employment and close to mass transit Investor

83% OF RETAIL WORKERS FACE HARASSMENT FROM CUSTOMERS – CIRCLE K RESEARCH

A high number (83%) of retail workers in Ireland have experienced incidents of harassment at work, with 68% experiencing incidents at least once a month, according to research findings by Ireland’s largest forecourt and convenience retailer.

The research from Circle K, conducted amongst 380 of its own colleagues and 500 people employed across a broad range of settings in retail, has highlighted the level of harassment that retail workers are subjected to from customers.

Notably and of concern for the retail sector, 70% of retail workers admit that their experience(s) of customer harassment has made them consider seeking employment outside of retail.

The research results point towards a significant challenge for the overall retail sector in Ireland, which employs over 300,000 people from a total workforce in Ireland of over 2.5 million. (See the ‘Retail Crime’ report in this issue for further details).

PARENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR 20% OF TEACHER ONLINE BULLYING CASES – ASTI SURVEY

One fifth of teachers have been subjected to social media abuse, and while students are responsible in most cases, a survey by the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) reveals that parents are responsible for 20% of online bullying cases.

Teachers reported having been subjected trolling and vulgar abuse on social media to private information or fake images of them being posted online, while other abuses included hacking of online accounts and actual threats of harm.

Out of the 1,920 ASTI members who participated in the research, 18% said they had some personal experience of the issue. The majority said it had been a one-off incident but almost one third said it had happened more than once while 11% said the problem was ongoing.

“It’s not surprising that the majority of perpetrators are primarily students because for young people, the school day isn’t always the best experience and all you need is one look or one word and someone can get annoyed,” said ASTI Assistant General Secretary Moira Leydon, who oversaw the research.

“What’s radically different today is that where you used to go home and swear about the teacher on the way, now you can

take out your phone and get your own back on the teacher.”

She said ASTI did not want to be overly critical of the Department of Education over the matter, given the scale of the wider societal issue and challenges routinely involved in dealing with major social media platforms but that more guidance, training and support was required.

In most cases, she suggested, issues were dealt with at a local level by schools in accordance with their own policies and codes and teachers tended to be satisfied with the outcomes but there sometimes more challenging scenarios, commonly where those responsible could not be identified.

AGENCIES TO COLLECTIVELY MARK WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY 2024

ICTU, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Ibec, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) will collectively mark Workers’ Memorial Day 2024 on Monday 29 April.

ICTU, Ibec, the HSA, CIF and NISO come together each year to mark the occasion with a programme of awareness raising initiatives, to remember people who have died, were injured, made ill and bereaved through work-related accidents.

Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy and Conor O’Brien, CEO of HSA, will join with the Minister of State with responsibility for Employment Affairs & Retail Businesses, Neale Richmond TD, to lay a wreath on the day at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, on behalf of the State to remember those workers who have lost their lives.

In Ireland between 2014 and 2023, 459 people died in work-related incidents, and many thousands more were severely injured or made ill. In 2023 alone, 43 people died in work-related incidents.

Building The Future South Dublin

Since opening our doors in 1994, SDCC has transformed our County through setting ambitious goals and exceeding them through a dedicated and passionate workforce.

But this is just the start. We are now building the future South Dublin with exciting housing plans and innovative projects to enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, learns in and visits our County.

Find out more by visiting our website.

59% Reduction in Hand Injuries

Safety

Our daily use of hands makes them vulnerable to workplace hazards. Dornan Group reduced hand injuries by 59% between 2020 and 2022 by implementing policies and procedures to minimize the associated risks.

Working Together

At Dornan Group our safety message is simple.

DETECT unsafe behavior and conditions

NOTIFY the relevant people

ACT to get the issues resolved

We aim to empower our employees at all levels, from apprentice to management, to speak up about safety concerns.

We take a proactive approach to environmental, health and safety management.

70% Subcontractor Engagement

4.0 / 5 Good Days at Work

Approximately 70% of our subcontractors are engaged with our free to use Learning Management System – Dornan Learning Hub.

Employee Wellbeing

Our employees have 4.0 / 5 Good Days at Work. This compares favourably to the General Working Population (GWP), reflecting 3.8 / 5 Good Days at work.

SIPTU CAMPAIGNS FOR ACTION AGAINST ABUSERS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

SIPTU recently met with Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan to discuss the trade union’s ongoing ‘Respect Transport Workers’ campaign, and to demand greater protection for staff on bus, rail and Luas networks against anti-social behaviour and abuse.

Report by Grace Heneghan

More than 80% of public transport workers suffer regular incidents of abuse, according to the findings of SIPTU’s survey, which were announced following the launch of the ‘Respect Transport Workers’ campaign in Dublin’s Liberty Hall.

SIPTU’s campaign has outlined three key priorities. The union is proposing the immediate establishment of the National Transport Advisory Council which has been part of legislation since 2008; the development of a unit dedicated to policing the public transport system, and a ‘Transport Charter’ to outline what is unacceptable behaviour towards staff.

“We had a productive meeting with the Minister and his team. We shared the results of our survey highlighting the rise in anti-social

behaviour and the need for a strong government response,” according to Adrian Kane, SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser.

John Murphy, SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, added, “The Minister committed to continued engagement on this issue. He will consider our proposals for a dedicated transport police force and a user charter for public transport.”

SIPTU also commended the increased Garda presence on Dublin’s central public transport network and plans to meet with Garda representatives to discuss the Respect Transport Workers campaign further.

The findings of a second survey will focus on the union’s concerning rise of drug use and racialised abuse on public transport, noted

Adrian Kane, SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser, Dublin Bus driver Suzanne Armstrong and SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy pictured at the launch of the ‘Respect Transport Workers’ campaign in Dublin’s Liberty Hall in February. (Image: SIPTU)

www.bclcontracts.ie

www.bclcontracts.ie

www.bclcontracts.ie

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

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Kane. He said that the campaign will continue until effective solutions are implemented to address the security concerns of transport workers.

“We believe a new transport policing structure and a national forum involving public representatives, Gardaí, unions, community groups, and passengers are crucial steps towards achieving this goal,” he added.

ONGOING ABUSE ISSUES

At the campaign launch in February Adrian Kane noted that members employed within public transport should never be the subject of abuse during the course of their work.

“Unfortunately, the survey of members employed in the transport sector revealed the grim reality that in excess of 80% felt that abuse and anti-social behaviour was an issue for them at work.”

In total 615 SIPTU members responded to the survey; the respondents were spread across Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Bus Éireann, Aircoach and Go-Ahead Ireland. The survey involved all grades of transport staff represented by SIPTU including drivers, ticket staff and customer assurance agents.

The majority of those who have

endured abuse at their job believes that the problem has got worse in the last 12 months. Issues reported by respondents included verbal abuse, physical assaults and anti-social behaviour.

One in five of the survey respondents said they experienced these issues daily, with a further one third saying that incidents occurred at least once every working week. John Murphy pointed out that the issue has been a long-time concern for their members.

“However, since the pandemic our members report a serious increase in the number and severity of incidents on the public transport system. We need action on this issue immediately.”

At the campaign launch some SIPTU members described the incidents of anti-social behaviour and abuse they have endured at work.

Dublin Bus driver Suzanne Armstrong (pictured with Adrian Kane and John Murphy) says that drivers experience “quite a bit of abuse” on the bus.

"I've actually had a pedestrian bike thrown out in front of me one time," she said. Armstrong also outlined a time a brick was thrown through one of her vehicle's windows. "We'd also get abused from passengers and we could have drug dealing or using going on upstairs on the bus.”

RESPONSE FROM TRANSPORT PROVIDERS

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said it has significantly increased security resources and proactive partnerships with An Garda Síochána in recent years to ensure as safe a travelling and working environment as possible for customers and staff.

"We will continue to work with staff and representative trade unions to address and reduce our incidents of anti-social behaviour on board our services and in our stations," the spokesperson said.

Luas operator Transdev said it works with employees, unions, An Garda Síochána, schools and community representatives to put measures in place that best address anti-social behaviour. "Luas and the Gardaí have greatly increased the number of joint operations on trams,"

a spokesperson said.

Bus Éireann said it is continuing to invest significantly in providing a safe and secure environment for employees and customers with all its road passenger fleet fitted with enhanced CCTV cameras onboard. "Customer research shows that 96% of our customers feel safe and secure during their journey with Bus Éireann," a spokesperson said.

Dublin Bus has said that it takes incidents of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously. "The entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras with up to 11 internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet," a spokesperson said.

"Dublin Bus has a strong and close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and has set up a number of community forums in different areas across the city. All Dublin Bus employees are fully trained on the comprehensive procedures for dealing with specific challenging situations including anti-social behaviour," the spokesperson said.

For more information about the campaign visit www.siptu.ie/respecttransport-workers

RETAILERS PAY HEAVY PRICE DUE TO RISING CRIME LEVELS

Following the sharp rise in retail crime levels across Ireland, according to the latest CSO figure, the situation is now having a major impact on the retail owners and workers when faced with criminals who are often aggressive, sexist, racist and who use weapons and threatening behaviour.

Report by Derek Nagle.

Theft and related offences have risen by 12% since last year, with nearly half (46%) of the national increase due to a growing number of thefts from shops, according to statistics recently released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Following the latest CSO statistics, which relates to Q4 of 2023, Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), has said that urgent action is needed to deal with an increase in retail crime.

However, Ireland’s largest representative body for the retail industry noted that while this is a significant issue, the statistics fail to account for anti-social behaviour faced by retail staff.

REI Chief Executive Jean McCabe has said that the CSO statistics back up what her organisation is hearing from members on a daily basis; “the

retail industry is increasingly being targeted by criminals across the country,” she said, adding that “these actions by a small minority have a highly negative effect on retailers and their customers, and something needs to be done to reverse what is a very worrying trend”.

McCabe also highlighted the impact of anti-social behaviour on retailers. “These figures from the CSO don’t take into account the daily instances of anti-social behaviour that retailers are experiencing. These have a knock-on effect on staff and customers and will lead to less footfall at a time when retailers are struggling hugely with the myriad of costs of doing business.

“We would hope and expect that our incoming Taoiseach will follow through on making law and order in Ireland one of his top priorities.”

Retail crime is costing retailers an estimated

according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME).

Retailers are spending significantly more on security, such as CCTV, due to shoplifters.

VIOLENT STORE ROBBERIES

In the capital alone, growing retail crime coupled with the vicious level of assaults against retail workers was brought into sharp focus late last year.

During the riots in Dublin on 23 November 2023, shop owners and employees found themselves trapped within their premises for fear of attack by those intent on robbing and causing damage.

The huge rise in retail crime is because serial shoplifters and organised gangs think they can get away with carrying out retail thefts with little or no consequences for them, believes Tara Buckley, Director General of RGDATA.

In the aftermath of the riots, the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, chaired by Maurice Quinlivan TD, who himself worked in retail for 19 years, met on 13 December 2023 to debate the issue of shoplifting and the rising levels of assaults against retail workers.

Tara Buckley, Director General of the Retail, Grocery, Dairy and Allied Trades Association (RGDATA), was one of the debate’s participants. A survey on retail crime undertaken by her organisation found that 93 per cent of its members have been victims of shoplifting and 40 per cent have been victims of fraudulent activity.

Of those surveyed 25 per cent said they had been subjected to violent robberies in their stores, with weapons being used in over one quarter of these crimes. These included firearms, knives, syringes, hammers, crowbars, bottles and even axes.

“Retail theft is most certainly not a victimless crime. Shop owners, staff and customers are the victims. Staff and owners in shops must deal with criminals who are often aggressive, sexist, racist and who use weapons and threatening behaviour. The average cost to the 3,500 shops,

More Gardaí on the streets is a very significant factor in the security discussion, and retailers have said it’s a deterrent.

forecourt stores and supermarkets that RGDATA represents throughout Ireland is over €40,000 per store,” she notes.

CONSISTENT SENTENCING NEEDED

Buckley believes that the huge rise in retail crime in this country is because serial shoplifters and organised gangs think they can get away with carrying out retail thefts with little or no consequences for them. She also feels there is a serious problem with gangs of youth offenders who believe they are “untouchable and are very aggressive and brazen” about stealing from retailers.

“The courts need to be more consistent on sentencing policies for retail crime, especially for repeat offenders. RGDATA members are extremely frustrated with the courts. Shop owners put a lot of time and effort into providing evidence, making statements and appearing in court and the offenders usually walk free and are back in the shop robbing it again while laughing in the shop

owner’s face,” she says.

Retail crime costs retailers an estimated €1.62 billion every year, according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association. The Global Retail Theft Barometer also shows that Ireland has the highest cost per capita when it comes to retail crime (€339.31) –significantly more than both second and third placed countries, Iceland and Denmark.

SPENDING MORE ON SECURITY

Arnold Dillon, Director of Retail Ireland and board member of IBEC (Irish Business and Employers Confederation), says that there’s a major and acute stress on retailers when they’re trying to deal with other costs across the board.

“However, they must spend significantly more on security due to shoplifters. More visible Gardaí is a very significant factor in this discussion. Retailers say that this is a deterrent. It’s an ongoing and daily challenge,” he points out.

Dillon makes reference to the Retail Crime Forum which meets more frequently since last year’s Dublin riots and involves An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney.

Data protection issues need to be considered in ‘naming and shaming’ shoplifters by posting their images on social media, notes Arnold Dillon, Director of Retail Ireland.

In the aftermath of the Dublin riots, the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment met in mid-December 2023 to debate the issue of shoplifting and the rising levels of assaults against retail workers.

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“The ongoing contact with An Garda Síochána is both positive and constructive. Co-ordinating intelligence is very important to ensure repeat offenders are subject to the full force of the law so increasing the deterrent needs to be looked at,” he says.

CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGY

In December 2023 An Garda Síochána rolled out ‘Operation Táirge’ as part of its crime prevention and reduction strategy, supporting operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing Organised Retail Crime (ORC).

ORC usually refers to situations where several persons are acting together, targeting retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market. It can also involve ‘refund fraud’ to make a financial or material benefit.

ORC is usually co-ordinated and well-organised by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers. Stolen goods are then sold to a ‘fence’ who either sells them at a certain location or in some cases may sell them online in an activity that has come to be known as ‘e-fencing’.

Several arrests were made across the country since Operation Táirge was set up. Almost immediately after the launch a woman in her 50s was arrested and detained in connection with 11 incidents of alleged theft from retail premises in Athy, Kilkenny, Maynooth, Newbridge, Portlaoise and Wexford.

Shortly after this, two men in their 20s and 40s appeared before the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin charged with a spate of robberies which included violence and knives. In one instance petrol was even poured onto the counter of a retail premises to cause fear and intimidation.

Under the National Detection Improvement Plan, ‘Operation Táirge’ aims to support those working in retail to report a crime. Using an intelligence-led approach to identify criminals who engage in retail crime, the programme works with highrisk retailers to enhance prevention, investigation and prosecution. It

also works with retailers to help strengthen their security to prevent them from becoming victims of criminality.

Led by the Organised Retail Crime Tasking and Co-ordination Group within An Garda Síochána, the operation will support each Garda region to monitor and respond to emerging trends in their area.

Organised retail crime may also involve an international dimension; therefore, the co-ordination group will maintain its close working relationships with counterparts including the UK and Northern Ireland.

‘NAMING AND SHAMING’ SHOPLIFTERS

There have been reports in other regions of retailers ‘naming and shaming’ persistent shoplifters by posting their images on social media, but Arnold Dillon believes that

data protection issues need to be considered here.

RGDATA’s Tara Buckley notes that the Data Protection Commissioner has objected to images of individuals being publicised, pointing out that a statutory measure to enable this deterrent to be exercised would be helpful.

She feels that whilst local retailers have a lot of sympathy for An Garda Síochána, who are forced to deal with the same aggressive criminals on a daily basis, there is a frustration that retail theft is not taken seriously enough.

“The Gardaí need to be more responsive to reports of retail crime and the courts need to hand down sentences that will give a clear message to criminals that this type of crime is taken seriously and there are consequences for those who rob shops or abuse shop staff,” she says.

Theft and related offences have risen by 12% since last year – 46% has been due to a growing number of thefts from shops, according to CSO statistics.

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Uniting Occupational Hygiene Professionals

Dublin To Host IOHA Conference

The Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland and the British Occupational Hygiene Society is calling on all occupational hygiene to participate in the triennial Scientific Conference of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) 2024, which takes place for the first time in Dublin on 9-13 June.

Taking place at the Aviva Stadium, the conference aims to bring together a diverse spectrum of professionals, including occupational hygienists, policymakers, academic scientists, and researchers from associated sectors.

The four-day event will seek to facilitate a robust platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences, with a primary focus on promoting occupational hygiene and safeguarding worker health protection globally.

Occupational hygiene is the preventative part of occupational health, i.e., the science of protecting worker health to prevent serious work-related illnesses such as cancer,

asthma and communicable diseases.

Dr Alison Connolly, Chair of the Scientific Committee for IOHA 2024, thanked the occupational hygiene community for an overwhelming response for the abstract call. “The whole committee is already working tirelessly to arrange a brilliant programme for the conference, including excellent keynote speakers, an engaging scientific programme, and memorable social events.”

‘Protecting workers from health hazards: Advancing in this changing world’ is the theme of the conference, and the programme will include plenary sessions, keynote lectures, parallel talks, workshops, poster presentations, networking opportunities, and social functions.

Nuala Flavin, Chair of the IOHA Organising Committee and Former President of the Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland (OHSI), said “This is the first time this conference has been hosted in Dublin, and we plan to have an outstanding event with excellent scientific content, together with practical presentations by experienced occupational hygienists.”

The IOHA 2024 conference in Dublin promises to be an essential gathering, encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange to ensure the advancement of occupational hygiene and the protection of worker health.

Samantha Connell, President of IOHA, said that IOHA2024 will be the platform for OH professionals from around the globe to come together, learn from each other and move forward as a profession. “The scientific and organising committees are doing a fantastic job to ensure a world class programme. It is encouraging to see two of our member organisations working together to make the event happen.”

OHSI President Shara Smith, commented: “The conference will bring practising occupational hygienists up to date with the latest research across a wide range of topics, through attending professional development courses, workshops and talks. We aim to motivate key government policymakers, employers and workers globally to bring about improvements in the protection of workers from realworld health hazards.”

BOHS President, Alex Wilson, said “There are a wider and more diverse range of sessions, professional development courses and other activities than we have seen at an IOHA Conference.

It really emphasises how much health at work has become an increasing focus across the globe, the continuing challenges and the opportunities to make a difference. This is the essential forum for scientific research to impact real-world practice and for those involved in workplace health to learn how they can have bigger impact.”

For further details and booking information visit www.ioha2024.org/.

Safety Team To Inspect Impact Of Assaults On Healthcare Staff

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has set up a national policy and inspection team to investigate the impact that the rising number of assaults against nurses and midwives is having within the healthcare sector. The initiative has been in response to a lobbying campaign by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Report by Derek Nagle.

The rising level of verbal and physical assaults on nurses and midwives over the last three years is now a real cause for concern, with figures showing that the number of incidents totalled 18,185 from January 2020 to December 2023.

However, many assaults are not reported, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which is cause for even greater concern, because the impact of such assaults may have life-changing consequences for those working at the frontline of the healthcare sector.

The HSE’s National Incident Management System (NIMS), which monitors verbal, physical and sexual assaults on staff, was first introduced in 2015 by the State Claims Agency. This requires all incidents to be reported through a centralised national system with the intention of ultimately improving data quality and includes voluntary organisations.

Incidents are categorised based on severity under ‘negligible’, ‘minor’, ‘moderate’ and ‘major’. A negligible incident is categorised as one that has

not caused physical or psychological harm, and which does not require treatment. Time off work, therefore, is not deemed necessary in this case.

A ‘major’ incident is categorised as one which results in severe harm which leads to a period of stay in hospital of more than eight days. In this case time off work for a period of more than six months may be required.

Of the total number of assaults on nurses and midwives between 2020 and 2023 alone, seven were categorised as ‘major’, 600 ‘moderate’, 1,591 ‘minor’ and the other 15,987 were classed as ‘negligible’.

UNREPORTED ASSAULTS

According to a spokesperson for the INMO, the reason that many assaults go unreported is because the statistics only relate to what has been collated by the HSE. “They don’t cover the Section 38 organisations which are large voluntary hospitals, psychiatric or a lot of community services where we know the incidents of assault are much higher,” she noted.

The INMO believes there is a connection between the increased number of assaults on nursing staff

and overcrowded hospitals and poor staffing – if the facility does not have the correct staffing levels or beds this only adds to the pressure. The representative organisation also believes that the employer has a duty to enhance security in our hospitals.

“We must get back to the mentality that security is the hospital’s responsibility, and the security staff must be a core part of the overall staff structure and must be placed and/or available in the emergency department. Sometimes, people are looking for security personnel, but they have responsibility for the whole campus and not just one department,” the INMO’s spokesperson added.

HEALTHCARE PRIORITIES

As part of its newly established Occupational Health Division, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) now has a dedicated national policy and inspection team in place to

focus on the healthcare sector, made possible due to additional funding in recent years.

Dr Adrienne Duff, Assistant Chief Executive of the HSA’s Occupational Health Division, was keen to point out that her organisation has already increased its focus on the health and social care sector.

“The HSA continues to prioritise the health and social care sectors and undertakes a mix of proactive and reactive inspections across the sector as well as providing sector specific information and e-learning programmes on occupational health and safety in health and social care settings,” she pointed out.

The new initiative has been due to a successful lobbying campaign by the INMO. It believes that since the HSA’s work has been transformative in the farming and construction sectors, then the Authority has a vital role to play in highlighting the impact that assaults within

“The HSA provides sector specific information and e-learning programmes on occupational health and safety in health and social care settings” – Dr Adrienne Duff, Assistant Chief Executive of the HSA’s Occupational Health Division

According to a spokesperson for the INMO, the reason that many assaults go unreported is because the statistics only relate to what has been collated by the HSE.

Glennon Brothers, established in 1913 in Longford, has grown through three generations to become the premier name in the UK and Irish timber processing industry.

Glennon Brothers has manufacturing locations in Humble, Troon and Invergordon in Scotland, Longford, Fermoy and Enniskillen in Ireland.

In November 2021, we embarked on our biggest acquisition to date, with the purchase of Balcas.

Glennon Brothers is a third generation the premier name in the Irish and UK industry. Originating from Longford, and processing facilities in Ireland and Scotland Windymains and Troon), we supply a products for construction, pallet wood, sectors.

Glennon Brothers is a third generation and the premier name in the Irish and UK industry. Originating from Longford, and processing facilities in Ireland and Scotland Fermoy, Windymains and Troon), we supply a sawn products for construction, pallet wood, residue sectors.

Established 1913, Glennon Brothers is a third generation family business and the premier name in the Irish and UK timber processing industry. Originating from Longford, and with four timber processing facilities in Ireland and Scotland (Longford, Fermoy, Windymains and Troon), we supply a wide range of sawn products for construction, pallet wood, fencing and residue sectors.

Established 1913, Glennon Brothers is a third generation family business and the premier name in the Irish and UK timber processing industry. Originating from Longford, and with four timber processing facilities in Ireland and Scotland (Longford, Fermoy, Windymains and Troon), we supply a wide range of sawn products for construction, pallet wood, fencing and residue sectors.

Balcas, was established in Enniskillen, in 1962, and has two divisions, Balcas Timber and Balcas Energy.

• Kiln Dried, Strength Graded Carcassing Timber.

• Treated Timber Fencing (Posts, Rails, Boards, Sleepers).

• Pallet & Packaging Case Material.

• Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS).

• Machined Whitewoods.

We also provide quality timber frame homes and engineered roof trusses through our two timber frame home manufacturing facilities, Dempsey Timber Engineering, in Arklow, and Alexanders Timber Design, in Troon.

• Glendeck Decking & Accessories.

We also provide quality timber frame homes and engineered roof trusses through our two timber frame home manufacturing facilities, Dempsey Timber Engineering, in Arklow, and Alexanders Timber Design, in Troon.

Balcas Timber, incorporates the sawmilling operation, in Enniskillen, which produces, quality pallet and packaging, sawn timber products for the fencing and landscaping, agriculutural and construction sectors.

timber frame homes and trusses through our two timber manufacturing facilities, Dempsey Timber and Alexanders Timber Design, in

• Residual by-Products (Woodchip, Sawdust, Bark & Shavings).

• Roof Trusses.

• Kiln Dried, Strength Graded Carcassing Timber.

• Kiln Dried, Strength Graded Carcassing Timber.

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quality timber frame homes and trusses through our two timber manufacturing facilities, Dempsey Timber Arklow, and Alexanders Timber Design, in people directly, and 250 people indirectly, deliver high quality products and service and push the boundaries of machinery producing home grown timber to the international standards.

directly, and 250 people indirectly, deliver high quality products and service push the boundaries of machinery producing home grown timber to the standards.

Glennon Brothers offers a unique one-stop-shop solution for sawn softwood in the British Isles. Supplying sawn timber products, for the construction, pallet and packaging, fencing, and residue sectors, Glennon Brothers’ extensive product range includes, kiln dried strength graded carcassing, pallet and packaging case material, and CLS for timber frame homes. The company also produces a wide range of fencing products, such as incised posts, rails, featheredge boards and sleepers available in brown and green treatment. Glennon Brothers also provides timber frame homes and engineered roof trusses, through its manufacturing facilities, Alexanders Timber Design, in Scotland and Dempsey Timber Engineering in Ireland.

Employing 912 people directly, and 450 people indirectly, we endeavour to deliver high quality products and service to our customers and push the boundaries of machinery and technology in producing home grown timber to the highest international standards.

• Treated Timber Fencing (Posts, Rails, Boards, Sleepers).

• Timber Frame Homes.

• Treated Timber Fencing (Posts, Rails, Boards, Sleepers).

• Pallet & Packaging Case Material.

• Pallet & Packaging Case Material.

Employing 500 people directly, and 250 people indirectly, we endeavour to deliver high quality products and service to our customers and push the boundaries of machinery and technology in producing home grown timber to the highest international standards.

• Forestry Services.

• Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS).

• Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS).

• Machined Whitewoods.

• Machined Whitewoods.

• Glendeck Decking & Accessories.

• Glendeck Decking & Accessories.

• Residual by-Products (Woodchip, Sawdust, Bark & Shavings).

• Residual by-Products (Woodchip, Sawdust, Bark & Shavings).

• Roof Trusses.

• Roof Trusses.

• Timber Frame Homes.

• Timber Frame Homes.

• Forestry Services.

• Forestry Services.

Employing 500 people directly, and 250 people indirectly, we endeavour to deliver high quality products and service to our customers and push the boundaries of machinery and technology in producing home grown timber to the highest international standards. (0)43 3350800 | Email: info@glennonbrothers.ie | Web: www.glennonbrothers.ie

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Tel: +353 (0)43 3350800 | Email: info@glennonbrothers.ie

Tel: +353 (0)43 3350800 | Email: info@glennonbrothers.ie

Ireland: Longford & Fermoy | UK:

Ireland: Longford & Fermoy | UK:

(0)43 3350800 | Email: info@glennonbrothers.ie | Web: www.glennonbrothers.ie

Ireland: Longford & Fermoy | UK: Troon & Windymains

Ireland: Longford & Fermoy | UK: Troon & Windymains

the healthcare setting have. The INMO now looks forward to strong employee representation in the work of the new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee.

The HSA carried out over 500 inspections and investigations in the health and social care sectors in 2022. This resulted in one prohibition notice, 12 improvement notices and 342 written advice notices. Data for 2023 will be available later this year.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT INSPECTIONS

The HSA’s Health and Social Care Division also carried out inspections in 26 emergency departments in 2023, which covered a range of occupational health and safety issues.

Inspections over the coming year will take place in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and primary care services. They will focus on key risk areas to include workrelated violence and aggression.

According to a HSE spokesperson, ensuring the safety of employees and service users is a priority and it is committed to creating a safe environment within which to work.

It also continues to emphasise the management of work-related aggression and violence. Its areas of focus are a review of the national policy on the management of workrelated aggression and violence, risk assessment and training.

If a HSE staff member has been the victim of an assault its EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) makes counselling available to that member.

“The HSE has long been proactive in encouraging staff to report all incidents and in directing managers to review all incidents. This is enshrined in the HSE Corporate Safety Statement, the HSE Policy on the Prevention and Management of WorkRelated Aggression & Violence and the HSE Incident Management Framework and Guidance 2020,” he added.

COUNSELLING FOR EMPLOYEES

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the HSA’s Dr Adrienne Duff pointed out that

the legislation “places duties on employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, employee safety, health and welfare at work”.

In her view the main aim of managing violence and aggression at work is to prevent incidents as much as possible and to minimise the consequences of an incident, should one occur.

If a HSE staff member has been the victim of an assault its EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) makes counselling available to that member. This is initially up to six counselling sessions, but the type and length of each session is such dependent on how the staff member has been impacted by the assault so this may also include trauma counselling.

An INMO spokesperson reports on the stark reality that some are forced to face due to workplace attacks. “Certain assaults have unfortunately been career ending for some of our members and many must deal with the trauma of their assaults for a long period of time after the assault occurred.

“While we know that the levels of hospital overcrowding can lead to a pressurised environment, it is never acceptable to assault a healthcare professional while they are trying their best to provide safe care,” she said.

The HSA’s Health and Social Care Division inspections in 26 emergency departments in 2023 covered a range of occupational health and safety issues.

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Protecting Healthcare Workers Against Hazardous Medicinal Products

Ireland’s trade union Fórsa and the European Biosafety Network are calling for greater protection for healthcare workers from long-term exposure to hazardous medicinal products, (HMPs) which can cause cancer, leukaemia and miscarriages in employees such as pharmacists, technicians, nurses and other workers in health and social care sectors.

Fórsa (Ireland’s second largest trade union) and the European Biosafety Network (EBN), in association with the Hospital Pharmacists’ Association of Ireland (HPAI) and the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT) hosted a joint summit in Dublin at the end of January.

The summit looked at the practical aspects of preventing occupational exposure of healthcare workers and professionals to hazardous medicinal products (HMPs).

Exposure to these products, often used to treat cancer and other life-threatening conditions, can happen anywhere from manufacture to preparation, administration and disposal. It can cause health impacts from headaches and hair loss to miscarriages, reproductive problems and different types of cancer.

Linda Kelly, Fórsa’s National Secretary, said: “With the issue of exposure to hazardous medicinal products directly and indirectly impacting many of our members, it is imperative that awareness by employers and workers of the risks is improved. We now need to act to prevent the damaging health effects that exposure to HMPs can have on the workforce.”

The union is calling for preventive measures and closed systems to be put in place to protect all workers potentially exposed to contamination. “We need to work holistically to ensure that all workers in health and social care are sufficiently protected when doing their jobs.

“The new EU Directive, which includes HMPs for the first time, must be transposed into Irish law by 5 April. The real work does not stop with changes to legislation or the implementation of new EU guidance; employers in Irish health and social care need to understand the risks of exposure to HMPs, implement controls and take immediate action to protect workers.”

CALLS FOR INCREASED INSPECTIONS

Fórsa, the EBN, HPAI and NAHPT are calling on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to update its

‘Guidelines on the Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs’ (published in February 2022) to include updates made to the new EU Directive and new EU guidance on handling HMPs. They have also pointed out that Health and Safety Authority (HSA) must also play a role by increasing inspections of healthcare and manufacturing sites which handle and produce HMPs.

The EU Directive on Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxins was amended in 2022 to include HMPs (as well as reprotoxic substances) within its scope for the first time. In April 2023, the EU published new guidance for the safe management of HMPs at work, which includes a much broader definition of HMPs, not just cytotoxic or cytostatic drugs, but also antivirals, hormones and hormonal antagonists, and immunosuppressants.

There is an updated and broader definition of HMPs in both the Directive and the new EU guidance on handling HMPs in the workplace and the EU are set to produce an indicative list of HMPs by 2025. Transposition of the EU legislation must take place in member states, including Ireland, by 5 April.

WORKER SAFETY SURVEY

The European Biosafety Network conducted a survey to determine the level of awareness and protection of workers in Ireland of the risk of exposure to HMPs and what safe handling measures were in place to prevent exposure, according to its secretary Ian Lindsley.

“Worryingly the results presented at the summit show a lack of awareness about the issue and low levels of risk assessments undertaken, coupled with insufficient training and a lack of preventive measures and surveillance of contamination,” he added.

“EU legislation and guidance must be disseminated and implemented in Ireland to protect healthcare workers from potentially devastating health impacts due to exposure at work. Further progress needs to be made and fast.”

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Garda Survey To Investigate Awareness Of Menopause Across All Ranks

Gardaí across the country are being asked to shape the first ever menopause guidance policy, which aims to investigate how An Garda Síochána can become a more menopause friendly employer and to support female staff by raising awareness across the ranks.

The guidance document, which was first launched by An Garda Síóchána one year ago, was recognised by the judges at the inaugural Menopause Workplace Excellence (MWE) awards last year.

Garda HR managers have said they will ask all staff members for suggestions about practical supports for menopausal employees struggling to overcome symptoms.

Vivienne Horkan, Programme Manager at the Garda National Wellbeing Office, said that a survey of 18,000 staff members will be undertaken for ideas on how An Garda Síochána can become a more menopause friendly employer. Questions will focus on several issues including shift work, uniforms

and outdoor work.

The health-needs assessment is being rolled out over the next 12 months as part of the Garda’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-2025. The Garda survey was announced at the online launch of this year’s Menopause Workplace Excellence (MWE) awards.

Speaking at the launch, she said: “We will measure and compare awareness of menopause in the workplace and ask for suggested additional supports needed, taking into consideration the policing sector environment”.

Describing it as a “privilege” for An Garda Síochána to be one of the inaugural award finalists last year, Vivienne Horkan said the

Questions on shift work, uniforms and outdoor work will be included in the survey, asking Gardaí for ideas on how the force can become a more menopause friendly employer.

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recognition highlighted the efforts being made by An Garda Síochána in this area. “There are currently recruitment campaigns to attract talent and having been selected as a finalist showcases the importance of supporting women’s health in the workplace, for current and new colleagues,” she added.

MENOPAUSE WORKPLACE AWARDS

Launched in 2023, the MWE Awards serve to honour organisations for creating supportive environments for women experiencing menopause.

They are organised jointly by the Menopause Hub, Ireland’s first-ever clinic solely dedicated to helping menopausal women, and workplace accreditation service Great Places to Work.

Cathal Divilly, CEO of Great Place to Work, said that a change of language was needed to encourage more men to become involved in health awareness drives in the workplace. “This cannot be seen as a female thing; this is something that your teammate is going through,” he

pointed out during the online launch of this year’s MWE Awards.

“We really need to be conscious of the language we use. If you are doing a workshop around mental wellbeing, and advertise as ‘mental health talk, room six’, men are not going to go to that workshop.

“However, if you advertise it as ‘Your colleague needs you: How to be a better teammate’ , you will absolutely get more men,” noted Divilly, who is one of the judges of this year’s awards.

Entries for this year’s awards close on 31 July, and the awards ceremony will be held on 10 October at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) in Dublin. For more information visit www.menopauseexcellence.com

Menopause Hub CEO Loretta Dignam is one of the judges at this year’s Menopause Workplace Excellence awards.

A change of language is needed to encourage more men to become involved in health awareness drives in the workplace, according to Cathal Divilly, CEO of Great Place to Work.

Vivienne Horkan, Programme Manager of the Garda National Wellbeing Office, unveiled details of survey to investigate how the force can become a more menopause friendly employer.

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Workplace smoking ban saves over 3,700 lives in under four years

Ireland’s workplace smoking ban – the first initiative of its kind in the world – saved more than 3,700 lives in less than four years after it was implemented in 2004, according to campaigners who gathered to mark its 20th anniversary in March. However, the event served to highlight the need to clamp down on the rising e-cigarette epidemic among young people.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who pushed through the smoking ban legislation as Health Minister in 2004, was joined at Government buildings by representatives of the Irish Heart Foundation, its ASH Council and other organisations involved in its initiation.

Speaking at the 20 th anniversary of the ban on 29 March, the Tánaiste said the landmark public health measure, which outlawed smoking inside every workplace, including pubs and restaurants, represented one of the “most memorable and significant moments” of his political career.

“At the time, there was huge opposition to the smoking ban

and doubts over whether it would ever succeed, particularly in our hospitality industry. The decision sparked ferocious debate in what was the first real discussion on public health in Ireland.

“Shortly after its introduction, it came to be viewed as an important protective measure for the health of workers in every sector., and it was clear that the public wanted it. Despite its success, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent when it comes to the war on smoking. Tobacco, along with the new threat of vaping, continue to cause huge damage to people in this country.”

LIFESAVING IMPACT OF BAN

Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support with the Irish Heart Foundation, described the ban as

one of the most important pieces of legislation ever introduced.

“It is estimated that it saved more than 3,700 lives in Ireland in the first three-and-a-half years after its implementation – almost 2.7 lives a day. It resulted in an immediate 26% reduction in ischaemic heart disease and a 32% drop in stroke cases. As countries across the world followed suit, the lifesaving impact of the law is beyond measure.

“However, now two decades on, Ireland must pursue bold and ambitious measures on tobacco and vape control, according to Macey. “Tobacco is still responsible for 4,500 deaths a year in Ireland, while an e-cigarette epidemic is responsible for driving nicotine addiction among young people. Smoking rates among teenagers are increasing for the first time in a generation, most likely due to the gateway effect from vaping.”

The Irish Heart Foundation believes the Government needs to raise the legal age for the sale of tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21. Macy also said that Ireland needs to follow UK proposals, making it illegal for anyone born after a certain year to buy tobacco products.

This can be achieved by raising the legal age for its sale by one year, every year. “Ireland can become a tobacco and nicotine-free society, but only bold, ambitious measures can achieve this reality,” he said.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin pictured with representatives from the Irish Heart Foundation, ASH Ireland, Irish Cancer Society, Environmental Health Association of Ireland, Office of Tobacco Control, Tobacco Free Research Institute and the HSE, who were involved in initiating the workplace smoking ban in 2004.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY’S PLAN OF ACTION FOR 2024

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Programme of Work for 2024 contains some pointers from an employer and a wellbeing perspective, and according to the Authority it aims to complete 10,000 proactive workplace inspections during 2024.

Inspections are planned for (but not limited to) six highrisk sectors with more focus on psychosocial hazards (including stress and bullying), resources for vulnerable and migrant workers, digital work and mental health.

These sectors include agriculture, construction, transport/logistics, health/social care and chemical production and storage. There will also be risk-based inspections in workplaces in the utilities, waste, and engineering sectors.

The HSA’s Health and Social Care Advisory Group will look at the increase in workplace injuries, as well as violence and aggression, which were highlighted as ongoing issues during 2023. Other employee wellbeing-related developments include further guidance on health surveillance, sensitive risk groups, occupational first aid, return to work following long term illness, and managing intoxicants.

The HSA is also planning for further psychosocial supports and resources for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), vulnerable workers and those working in the gig economy. The fact that mental health and workplace wellbeing is high on the agenda with additional practical resources on this topic in the pipeline.

This was particularly evident with the response given to the HSA’s publication in 2023 of ‘Psychosocial Risk Assessment: Guidance for Exposure to Sensitive Content’. This included a practical risk assessment template that could be applied to any workplace.

As the world of work continues to transform, with remote working, and digitalisation, the HSA Programme of Work commits to developing supports and resources on digital work and its impact on mental health.

A psychosocial risk assessment is a legal requirement under Section 19 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. It is also due to be a requirement under the updated Mental Health pillar of the KeepWell Mark accreditation. Many organisations struggle with their approach to this risk assessment with concerns about the implications of documenting the hazards and the data protection considerations. The data is processed by an independent service provider in compliance with applicable Data Protection legislation.

The WorkPositiveCI Tool is a free, confidential and psychosocial risk management tool which has been

developed by the HSA, State Claims Agency and the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Network Ireland. It provides feedback on workplace stress, employee psychological wellbeing and critical incident exposure in the workplace. It will also provide structured guidance enabling organisations to develop an action plan to mitigate against these stressors.

The increased number of proactive inspections and the focus on psychosocial hazards and mental at work will be actively reported, which will increase awareness around this issue. The HSA commitments will also ensure enhanced resources such as the changes to the WorkPositive tool and other guidance documents.

Organisations should be prepared for inspections by ensuring that they comply with the risk assessment requirements and have an action plan in place to mitigate against the risks identified.

For general OSH queries email knowledgecentre@ibec.ie and for additional OSH consultancy and training support email elainem.bowers@ibec.ie

• Health and Safety at work is a fundamental right

• Workplace health and safety is everyone’s business

• Unionised workplaces are safer workplaces

For more information about trade unions and workplace safety contact the Irish Congress of Trade Unions or see www.ictu.ie

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@irishcongress

CONSTRUCTION AND FARMING High level of fatalities continues

Health and Safety Authority data shows that 43 people lost their lives in work-related incidents during 2023, with statistics pointing to a continued high number of fatalities in farming and construction with both sectors accounting for over two thirds of all fatalities last year, which mainly related to working with vehicles and falls from height.

Mark Cullen, HSA’s Assistant Chief Executive, said, “Although we welcome the decrease in work-related fatalities rates in the last ten years from the rate of 2.8 in 2014 to 1.6 in 2023, there remains a continued high level of fatalities in certain sectors. Farming continues to account for the highest number of fatalities (37%) with over half the number of victims aged 65 and over.

Many farmers are self-employed and often work alone. There is a clear need for them to consider the work they plan on carrying out themselves, and where they may need assistance from qualified and trained workers, ensuring the appropriate risk assessments are completed in advance of the work being carried out and that the appropriate preventative measures are in place to ensure those carrying out the work can do so safely.”

With HSA records for 2023 showing a significant percentage of fatalities relating to the self-employed (accounting for 53% of all fatalities in the last year) Cullen added: “The self-employed, along with all duty holders and employers, have a responsibility when it comes to health and safety.”

The HSA records also showed that incident triggers such as being struck by vehicles/vehicle collisions, while falls from height continue to be the leading causes of work-related fatalities in Ireland.

This year’s Programme of Work will see the Authority focus on particular work activities and workplaces through a range of proactive inspections and targeted campaigns, including the high-risk sectors such as agriculture and construction.

Conor O’Brien, HSA Chief Executive, said the Authority will continue to work with partners in high priority sectors such as agriculture and construction, and develop supports and resources to address the evolving nature of the work environment. These will include impacts related to psychosocial hazards, digitalisation, sustainability, and changing workforce demographics.

HSA 2023 Statistics Summary

• There was an overall decrease in the rate of fatalities per 100,000 workers in Ireland from 2.8 in 2014 to 1.6 in 2023.

• The highest number of fatal accidents involved people aged 55 and over – 22 in 2023 compared to 10 in 2022.

• Of the 43 fatalities in 2023, the self-employed accounted for 53%.

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 20 fatalities; farming accounted for 16 in 2023.

• Construction accounted for the second highest fatalities in 2023 with 11 fatalities.

• Working with vehicles (13) and falling from height (11) were leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2023.

• Of the 43 fatalities in 2023, 39 were male and 4 were female.

• Co. Cork accounted for the highest records of fatalities (7), followed by Co. Dublin (5) and Kerry (5).

(* Representative of data on 31 December 2023)

Virtual Reality Of Workplace Health And Safety Training

A new Virtual Reality (VR) programme, designed specifically for workplace health and safety training, has been launched by Technological University (TU) Dublin and BioPharmaChem Skillnet, one of 70 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide.

The programme is the third course co-developed by the Skillnet Business Network and TU Dublin, which harnesses the power of VR and offers an innovative approach to mixed reality training for diverse industries. The VR technology provides a seamless interface with existing simulations in a modular framework to train staff across many sectors in Ireland.

It follows on from the success of the previous two VR programmes ‘Aseptic Techniques for Biomanufacturing,’ and ‘Power Handling’, both of which were nominated for multiple innovation and industry awards.

The new programme was developed in collaboration with Dr Brian Vaughan, founder and director of the Virtual Interaction Research Lab (VIRal) at TU Dublin. VIRal is a cutting edge virtual and augmented reality R&D environment, in a large, dedicated space.

BioPharmaChem Skillnet provides upskilling to businesses of all sizes in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, and chemical supply sectors. The network’s mission is to further advance Ireland’s position as a world leader in health innovation through leading-edge talent development solutions.

Dr Paul Maguire, TU Dublin’s Head of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, acknowledged the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the research partners: “BioPharmaChem Skillnet is supporting one of the largest and most important sectors in Ireland, providing thousands of jobs.

“This partnership highlights the world-leading research capabilities of Dr Brian Vaughan and this team in the VR/ AR space and their ability and desire to solve immediate industry challenges. It also spotlights the excellent working relationship that TU Dublin has with BioPharmaChem Skillnet, facilitated by David Gardiner in TU Dublin Innovation via our Open Labs R&D outreach initiative.”

MIXED REALITY TRAINING APPLICATIONS

Dr Brian Vaughn, Founder and Director, VIRal, said: “This is our third time working with BioPharmaChem Skillnet and we have always found them to be an insightful forwardthinking organisation pushing the boundaries of training in the industry. It’s always great to work with them to cocreate mixed reality training applications that incorporate

cutting-edge technologies with robust pedagogical principles and methods.”

Susan Costello, Network Director of BioPharmaChem Skillnet, said: “As the BioPharmaChem sector continues to embrace immersive technologies, we identified the potential for virtual reality to address some of the known key challenges in health and safety that are high risk and time consuming. VIRal at TU Dublin was able to provide the expertise required to transform the concept of a VR programme into a reality.

“Dr Brian Vaughan and the TU Dublin team ensured that the process ran seamlessly and were able to advise, adapt and reinvent when required. The programme would not have been possible without their expertise and the support of Skillnet Ireland, BioPharmaChem Ireland along with the expertise and time that industry members gave to articulate the needs around this training for the sector.”

Ireland is the third largest exporter of complex pharmaceutical goods and medicines and the second largest exporter of vaccines in Europe, with over €100bn in annual exports. Over 84,000 people are directly and indirectly employed, with a further 10,000 jobs to be created over the next five years. The use of innovative technologies such as VR aims to increase engagement and knowledge retention while decreasing training time, engaging learners in real-world scenarios that teach important skills and concepts.

For more details about the VR Health and Safety programme and other supports offered by the Skillnet Business Network visit www.bpcskillnet.ie

Pictured at the programme launch were (l-r): David Gardiner (TU Dublin), Siobhan Broughan (Skillnet), Susan Costello and Brendan Kellet (BioPharmaChem), Dr Brian Vaughn and Jazheel Luna (TU Dublin VIRaL), with Sinead Keogh (IBEC) and Dr Paul Maguire (TU Dublin).

‘Train-The-Trainer’ Approach Works To Improve Farm Safety Culture

The use of the ‘Train-theTrainer’ approach has shown the potential to vastly improve farm safety practices and the culture of those living and working on farms, which was a key finding of a recent PhD study conducted at the School of Psychology, University of Galway.

The study by Dr Aswathi Surendran at the University of Galway was completed as a component of the Teagasc Be Safe Behavioural Farm Safety research project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A video on ‘Farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots’ was launched by the Minister of State at the Department with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon TD.

Dr Denis O’Hora, University of Galway and study lead supervisor, explained that by empowering trainees, the ‘Train-the-Trainer’ model had the capacity to vastly increase knowledge transmission and adoption to more people in both

a time and cost-effective way.

He pointed out that this approach may also enhance training quality, as the trainer has to consider the practical challenges of the task and they can follow-up by empowering the trainee to adopt the training on an on-going basis.

Dr O’Hora also stated that the ‘Train-the-Trainer’ approach improves the practicality of training as it challenges the trainer to identify gaps in their own knowledge. He added that it proves the saying that ‘teaching is one of the best ways to learn’, with trainers also learn from their learners.

The ‘Train-the-Trainer’ approach also motivates trainers to adopt best practice themselves to avoid dissonance with knowledge and skills that they have imparted. Therefore,

trainers can act as role models for learners and can provide ongoing supports to build a culture change.

ENSURING FIDELITY OF TRAINING

He acknowledged that the ‘Train-theTrainer’ approach has limitations, as it requires time and energy along with building and maintaining relations to allow this approach to work. In addition, strategies need to be put in place to ensure the fidelity of training.

In explaining the aim of the ‘Trainthe-Trainer’ component of her PhD research, Dr Aswathi Surendran said it was to equip farmers with the knowledge, skills and resources related to farm vehicle stopping distances and driver visibility blind spots to reach out to others on their farm.

Over the decade to 2023, farm vehicles have caused 44% of all farm fatalities, with vehicle speed and visibility due to blind spots being a major contributory factor. Therefore, improving farmer knowledge of these aspects of farm vehicle use is crucial to cut farm workplace fatality levels.

At one of three experimental training sessions held as part of the study, attended by 19 farming participants, a training exercise required each farmer trainee to estimate the farm vehicle stopping distance at a speed of 7km/hour – 84% underestimated and nobody overestimated the correct stopping distance. Overall, the exercise

convinced participants of the need to demonstrate stopping distances on their farms, with participants describing the exercise as ‘eye opening’.

FARM VEHICLE BLIND SPOTS

Regarding farm vehicle blind spots, the farmer trainees completed an exercise in groups of three on identifying blind spots using a model of a child. The exercise caused a ‘sense of disbelief’ at the size and position of blind spots, leading to heightened awareness from both a driver and pedestrian perspective.

Following the vehicle stopping distance and blind spot exercises farmer trainees engaged in a facilitated discussion session where they considered how best to impart motivating training on their farms. They agreed to comply with a ‘Voluntary Training Procedure Agreement’ with persons participating in training, designed to gain a shared sense of responsibility, and set clear actionable goals for the training sessions.

After the farmer trainer session, 90% (17) provided follow-up training for workers, farm employees, family members and neighbours.

Dr John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, stated that there are currently over 135,000 farms with up to 270,000 individuals either working or living on these farms. He pointed to the huge potential in using the ‘Train-theTrainer’ approach to improve farm safety culture.

The YouTube Seminar ‘Train-theTrainer’ may be accessed at www. youtube.com/watch?v=dDWygdrQFvM

The ‘Farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots’ video is available at www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farmmanagement/farm-health--safety/ videos/

Pictured at the launch of the ‘Farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots’ video by the Minister of State at the Department with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon TD (l-r): Serena Gibbons, Teagasc; Dr Denis O'Hora, University of Galway; Minister Heydon; John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc; and Dr Aswathi Surendran, University of Galway.

Trainee farmers completed an exercise in groups of three to identify farm vehicle blind spots using a model of a child.

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‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ is the 2023-2025 edition of EU-OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces Campaigns.

EU-OSHA Campaign Taps Into Safety And Health In Digital Era

In a landscape where over 80% of EU enterprises integrate personal computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices, the new Healthy Workplaces Campaign takes centre stage.

With 93% of workers in large companies and 85% in micro companies using digital devices, this campaign addresses the evolving dynamics of work, emphasising the imperative of ensuring safety and health in a human-centred digital transformation.

The EU-OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaign entitled ‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ aims to help employers in the European Union to ensure decent working conditions and provide quality jobs, according to Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.

this rapidly evolving environment.

Nicolas Schmit noted that the world of work has seen a huge transformation in recent years, with the rise of digital technologies, algorithmic management and remote working. “It is essential to strike the right balance: as we reap the benefits of the digital age, we must also make sure we don’t compromise on the human-centred approach. EU-OSHA’s latest campaign will help employers in the EU to ensure decent working conditions and provide quality jobs.”

‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ is the latest edition of EU-OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces Campaigns. As digitalisation reshapes the workplace, the 2023-2025 campaign aims to raise awareness, promote collaboration and pave the way for a future where occupational safety and health remain top priority alongside technological advancement.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and collaborative robots become integral to work processes, the very nature of work is transforming. The campaign recognises the potential for improved occupational safety and health while confronting emerging risks in

Joaquín Pérez Rey, Spain’s Interim Secretary of State for Employment and Social Economy, added: “Current policies in the EU are serving as a driver of change in this digital transformation, setting strategic objectives in relation to the digitalisation of companies and measures of society.

“This campaign will help to drive a digital transformation of the world of work that is fair and leaves no one behind, spreading knowledge about digital solutions that represent opportunities for companies and workers.”

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FIVE PRIORITY AREAS

Drawing upon EU-OSHA research, as outlined in the ‘OSH Overview on Digitalisation’, the 2023-2025 campaign will explore five priority areas – Digital Platform Work, Automation of Tasks, Remote and Hybrid Work, Worker Management through Artificial Intelligence; and Smart Digital Systems.

This edition seeks to encourage the safe and productive use of digital technologies across diverse sectors and workplaces. It also aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders, providing resources and promoting proactive risk assessment for a secure and efficient digital transformation of work.

William Cockburn Salazar, EUOSHA Executive Director, said: “As Europe’s digital transformation steams ahead, its impact on businesses and workers is far from being fully understood. Strikingly, its potential effect on workers’ safety and health has been discussed in just 24% of workplaces. There’s an urgent need to grasp the opportunities and identify the risks of digitalisation to maximise the benefits of these new technologies for safe, healthy and productive workplaces. That’s precisely what EU-OSHA’s new Healthy Workplaces Campaign, ‘Safe

and healthy work in the digital age’, aims to achieve.”

To reach out to workers and employers, EU-OSHA relies on an extensive network of national focal points, official campaign partners, media and social partners, in addition to other intermediaries, using agency promotion and information material to inspire and encourage others to join the cause of a safe and healthy workforce in the digital age.

‘GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD FOR BUSINESS’ Healthy Workplaces Campaigns are one of the agency’s flagship

awareness-raising activities, delivering a central message: ‘Safety and health at work is everyone's concern. It's good for you. It's good for business’

Running since 2000, the campaigns make available a wide range of information and resources such as practical guides and tools to any organisation or company looking to improve workplace safety and health.

The campaigns feature key milestones, including the Good Practice Awards and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award, recognising exceptional contributions in promoting OSH, as well as the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, which takes place each October.

Previous editions focused on preventing and managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, managing dangerous substances and promoting healthy workplaces for all ages.

Celebrating its 30 th anniversary this year, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Set up by the EU in 1994 and based in Bilbao, EU-OSHA researches, develops and distributes impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. For

Pictured at the launch of the EU-OSHA’s latest Healthy Workplaces Campaign (2023-2025) in Bilbao were (l-r): Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights; Joaquín Pérez Rey, Acting Spanish State Secretary for Employment and Social Economy, and William Cockburn Salazar, EU-OSHA Executive Director.

EUROPEAN WORKING CONDITIONS SURVEY (EWCS) 2024

Eurofound is in the process of interviewing up to 50,000 workers across all EU Member States in addition to Norway, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, as part of its European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) for 2024.

The fieldwork, which started in February, will run until June, with the first survey results and data to be made available in 2025, in a bid to provide a comprehensive picture of the everyday reality of men and women at work.

The traditional face-to-face mode will be supplemented by online interviews for the first time, in order to future-proof this tool for European comparative analysis on working conditions and to ensure that trend analysis can be maintained.

The 2024 edition of the survey will provide data to:

• Assess and quantify working conditions of both employees and self-employed workers across the EU Member States and beyond on a harmonised basis.

• Analyse relationships between different aspects of working conditions.

• Identify work situations that are of concern and/or groups at risk, as well as monitoring areas of improvement.

• Monitor trends by providing homogeneous indicators on these issues.

• Contribute to European policy development, particularly on quality of work and employment.

For

www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/surveys

The EWCS 2024 aims to ensure continuity of the survey analysis, accurate and timely findings and high-quality outputs, and adaptability of data collection methods for the future.

New questions have been developed to cover the key policy and research agenda around the future of work, including the impact of COVID-19, digitalisation and decarbonisation at work.

A study was commissioned on how to transition intervieweradministered, cross-national surveys to an online mode, with particular emphasis on the EWCS, and another on cognitive pretesting using cross-cultural interviews and web probing.

PLATFORM WORK DIRECTIVE SET TO END BOGUS SELF-EMPLOYMENT

Millions of people working through digital platforms are set to finally obtain minimum wages, sick pay and other employment protections following the adoption of the Platform Work Directive by EU Member States.

Trade unions were successful in including the presumption of employment with the reversal of the burden of proof. Instead of individual workers going through lengthy court processes, it will now be up to the platform corporations to prove they are not employees.

The EU Directive also recognises the role of trade unions in all aspects of the platform economy, including on issues such as algorithm management. Despite calls for weakening these provisions, they were left untouched by numerous attacks confirming the strong need for the collective bargaining in the platform economy.

The number of people working through digital platforms is set to grow to 43 million people by the end of this year alone, according to the European Council. Ludovic Voet, Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Federations (ETUC), said that solutions are finally being brought forward to the scandal of bogus self-employment.

“The decision means that millions of people working through digital platforms will no longer be cheated out of the minimum wages, sick pay, holiday pay and social security. The number of people working through platforms has risen by 34 per cent in the 800 days since the European Commission launched this legislation.

“During that time workers and their trade unions have fought tooth and nail to keep the pressure on. We are proud of all those

workers who organised and their trade unions who delivered this massive win.”

He said that joining forces at European level was crucial to secure this legislation, which is the first of its kind globally, adding that the strong commitment of workers’ allies in the European Parliament and Council got this over the line.

“Member States have persevered and have seen through the platform corporations’ smokescreen and have sided with workers. We salute the Council’s Spanish and Belgian Presidencies for their determination to see this legislation through. Now is the time for national governments to prepare for rapid implementation.”

Ludovic Voet, ETUC Confederal Secretary, said that millions of people working through digital platforms will no longer be cheated out of the minimum wages, sick pay, holiday pay and social security.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE COULD DECLINE IN THE FUTURE – EUROFOUND REPORT

The proportion of self-employed workers in the EU has dropped from 15.4% to 13.7% between 2010 and 2022, according to the findings of a report by Eurofound.

This reduction was primarily driven by falling self-employment among men and the imbalance between labour market exits among older self-employed workers and the creation of new self-employment.

Eurofound’s new report ‘Selfemployment in the EU: Job quality and developments in social protection’ examines the working conditions of different groups of self-employed people and analyses measures taken at Member State level to better protect these individuals against the risks of unemployment, workplace accidents and sickness. It also presents lessons learned from measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eurofound Research Manager Tina Weber, noted: “EU Member States have already begun to broaden access to social protection for the self-employed so as to create an appropriate safety net to cushion the impact of key risks.”

The report looks specifically at the situation of the dependent self-employed. These are defined as having a working relationship where the worker is formally self-employed yet under conditions of work similar to those of dependent employees.

In 2021, 9% of the solo self-employed were dependent on just one or a few clients, had little or no autonomy over the running of their business and could therefore be classified as economically dependent. Solo self-employed women were more than twice as likely to be economically dependent than their male counterparts. Eurofound data show that economically dependent self-employed people were twice as likely as employees to indicate having difficulties in making ends meet.

Such differences stem partly from the high share of self-employment in the sectors worst affected by the pandemic. However, they also result from differences in social protection coverage and pandemic relief measures.

Even if the share of self-employed benefiting from such relief measures was

high due to their sectoral distribution, the duration and level of income replacement benefits granted were lower and eligibility often more stringent than for employees.

For more information and to download the report visit www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/

FOURTH SURVEY ON HOW EUROPEAN WORKPLACES MANAGE SAFETY AND HEALTH

The fourth European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) is being carried out this year, covering over 41,000 establishments across all business size classes and activity sectors in 30 European countries.

The pilot is the final test of the fourth survey ahead of the main fieldwork, which is scheduled to start by the end of May. The first results of ESENER 2024 will be published early next year. Around 30 establishments are being interviewed in each of the 30 countries covered in ESENER 2024.

The European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) looks at how European workplaces manage safety and health risks in practice.

The first ESENER, which was carried out in 2009, involved nearly 36,000 interviews with managers and OSH

representatives. All EU Member States were covered, in addition to Croatia, Turkey, Norway and Switzerland – 31 countries in total. The interviewees worked in private and public sector

organisations with 10 or more employees.

For more information on ESENER visit https://visualisation.osha.europa.eu/ esener/en

© EU-OSHA

SICK PAY SYSTEM IN NEED OF REFORM’ – TUC

The Covid-19 pandemic showed that “our sick pay system is in desperate need of reform” noted Paul Novak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in response to a report on whether the government should reform statutory sick pay to provide more financial support to low-paid employees.

Commenting on the recent publication of the Work and Pensions Committee report, he said that it was “a disgrace that so many low-paid and insecure workers up and down the country – most of them women – have to go without financial support when sick”.

He agreed with the committee that ministers now urgently need to remove the lower earnings limit and raise the rate of sick pay. “Wider reform is also needed to remove the three days people must wait before they get any sick pay at all. Working people deserve better,” he added.

The TUC General Secretary said that it was now time for a new deal for workers – as proposed by the Labour party – which includes stronger sick pay and a ban on zero hours contracts. Analysis published by the TUC in January 2024, revealed that 1.3 million people do not earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay, and 70% are women.

Ro SPA APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE CEO

Rebecca Hickman, who has been appointed CEO of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), becomes the first female chief in the 100-year history of the Birmingham-based charity.

Hickman, who has climbed RoSPA’s ranks over the last 20 years, will lead the organisation in driving a new era of growth to become a member-centric, impact driven charity in the next phase of its journey.

With over two decades of service, her journey to CEO has been defined by key transformation initiatives. Under her tenure RoSPA’s sales and marketing functions were rebuilt and the strategic partnerships division was born.

Commenting on her appointment, Hickman said: “As with many charities, the pandemic necessitated short-term survivalism within RoSPA, but after working hard to steady the ship, we can now build solid foundations to maximise RoSPA’s impact and drive meaningful change.”

For more information visit https://www.rospa.com/

‘JOINTWORKS’ TO TACKLE CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AT WORK

A research network aims to transform the management of chronic musculoskeletal disorders (CMDs), particularly for the ageing workforce, to enhance their ability to remain productive and healthy.

The network, which was recently launched at the University of Birmingham, has been awarded £109,000 in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, as part of its Work and Health Research Programme.

The network is being led by Dr Glykeria Skamagki and Prof Afroditi Stathi from the University of Birmingham’s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. It will bring together a multidisciplinary disciplinary team of experts, including occupational healthcare professionals, policy makers, researchers, and particularly older workers themselves.

JOINTWORKS will employ innovative approaches to explore and understand the complex interplay of factors affecting musculoskeletal health at work. It will engage diverse stakeholders to ensure that the programmes developed are inclusive and cater to a wide range of needs in both office and remote working environments.

Dr Skamagki said: “Our goal is to co-create initiatives with direct input from those most affected. This approach ensures that our solutions are not only scientifically sound but also resonate with the real-life experiences of those managing CMSDs every day.”

Prof Stathi added: “It is crucial that we identify effective and sustainable ways to support our ageing workforce to maintain health and well-being. Through JOINTWORKS, we aim to influence policy and practice, ensuring that older employees are not just able to work, but they enjoy productive and meaningful working lives.”

The network aims overall to become a sustainable, interdisciplinary platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and advocacy in workplace health.

The network aims to transform the management of chronic musculoskeletal disorders, particularly for the ageing workforce. RoSPA chief executive

AGENCIES JOIN FORCES IN MAJOR CONCUSSION RESEARCH PROGRAMME

The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and the University of Birmingham are leading a major research programme to recruit patients across the UK with concussion related to falls and accidents at work, road and cycling accidents, with a special focus on military personnel who experience concussion during training or active duty.

Concussion has been declared a major global public health problem, with 1.4 million hospital visits due to head injury annually in England and Wales. Some 85% of these are classified as concussion and it’s also estimated that up to 9.5% of UK military personnel in a combat role are diagnosed with concussion every year.

The research project, which aims to transform the way concussion is identified and managed, is being provided under a seven-year contract by the US Department of Defense with potential funding of $15.5m.

The project will analyse blood and saliva, mental health, vision, balance and sleep, and measure the ability to predict long-term complications from concussion (i.e. mild Traumatic Brain Injury – mTBI).

Some 890 people (aged 18 to 60) will take part in the study, as researchers measure effectiveness of various methods to predict outcomes of concussion after six, 12 and 24 months. It can be caused by physical impact to the head through accident, injury, sport, or even from shockwaves following explosions.

Researchers will use the UK TBI Research Network to recruit both civilian and military participants to the programme. The study will be supported by Birmingham Health Partners and University Hospital Birmingham, as well as a range of research institutions across the UK.

The research programme will bring together neuroscientists, psychologists, sport and exercise scientists, software developers and statisticians – coordinated by the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit.

It will involve military patients and expertise from the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Stanford Hall and Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.

15% INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION FATALITIES

Fatal incidents in the UK construction industry have risen by almost 20% in the last five years, according to new data, which revealed that 45 fatal injuries were reported during 2022-23 – an increase of 15% compared to the previous year.

Falling from a height remains the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal incidents in the construction sector. Those working in the industry are three times more likely to experience falling from a height than experiencing an injury through something collapsing or overturning.

Being struck by a moving vehicle and then being struck by a moving object were the second and third most common fatal accidents for workers. Between them, these accidents accounted for around two-thirds of fatal injuries to construction workers in 2022-23.

The death rate in the construction sector is three times higher than in the transportation and storage industry. This increases to over seven times higher than those working in the waste and recycling industries.

The findings, collated by Herts Tools, a provider of cherry picker hire in London, used construction statistics from Health and Safety Executive 2022-2023 reports.

The data revealed a significant rise in the number of days lost per construction worker due to injuries; injuries and ill health in workers in Great Britain cost around £16.2 billion in 2018/19, compared to £20.6 billion in 2022-23.

NORTHERN IRELAND HEALTHCARE WORKERS HIT BY POLITICAL HIATUS

The political impasse in Northern Ireland – where two years of stalemate held up the restoration of its power-sharing executive – has taken its toll on the healthcare sector, according to a report from a Belfast recruitment agency.

The new report from Belfast-based Excel Recruitment has highlighted the staffing shortages, experienced in a myriad of healthcare roles in 2023, which have been largely carried into 2024.

Excel Recruitment claims that although there will be fresh challenges for the health and social care sectors in 2024, it is hoped that the recent restoration of devolved government in NI should help improve prospects for both the sector and its workers.

Commenting on the survey findings, Wes McCullough, Excel’s health and social care recruitment consultant, said that having successfully moved past the challenges of Covid-19, healthcare should have returned to normality. “However, despite expectations, this was not the case. Struggles have persisted in Northern Ireland with the two-year political hiatus only adding to the poor working conditions and salaries in the sector.

“These conditions led to thousands of Northern Ireland’s healthcare professionals taking to the picket lines to protest against the lack of pay parity with counterparts in the rest of the UK, as well as poor funding of the health service in Northern Ireland.”

The research will have a special focus on military personnel who experience concussion during training or active duty.

US TAKES ACTION TO IMPROVE WELLBEING OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS

As part of the first federal campaign to address healthcare worker burnout in the USA, an actionable guide for the nation’s hospital leaders to improve healthcare worker wellbeing has been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The ‘Impact Wellbeing™ Guide: Taking Action to Improve Healthcare Worker Wellbeing is the newest addition to the Impact Wellbeing™ Campaign.

Launched in October 2023, and provides a step-by-step process for hospitals to start making organizational-level changes that will impact and improve the mental health of their employees.

“The role of healthcare workers is vital to our society, economy and culture. However, the healthcare workforce also needs to feel supported,” according to Dr John Howard, Director of NIOSH.

He said that the guide includes six action steps to implement and accelerate professional wellbeing to “enable leaders to make systemslevel changes and it builds trust between leaders and healthcare workers”.

As highlighted in a recent CDC Vital Signs, he said that health workers face a mental health crisis. “The realities of our healthcare system are driving many health workers to burn out. They are at an increased risk for mental health challenges and choosing to leave the health workforce early.”

COHESIVE WELLBEING STRATEGY

Leveraging the expertise of CDC/ NIOSH and the leadership in Total Worker Health®, NIOSH and the Dr Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation developed the new, free, evidenceinformed guide to help executivelevel hospital leaders make powerful workplace improvements quickly. The guide also takes into account the realities that many hospital systems face when it comes to finding additional time, cost, and staff to implement this work.

“We know hospital leaders have a lot of competing demands and it can be overwhelming to know where to start when working to improve professional wellbeing,” said Dr Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer at the Dr Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.

“The guide provides hospital leaders across the country the tools for putting together a more cohesive wellbeing strategy, allowing them to take stock of where they are now, highlighting some of the missing pieces, and taking action to get to where they want to be.”

CDC/NIOSH will host a webinar series, beginning in late April, for hospital leaders to learn how to use each section of the guide, with the goal for participating hospitals to start implementing the guide immediately following the webinar series.

SIX STEPS FOR HOSPITAL LEADERS

The guide outlines six key steps for hospital leaders to take on board, which were pilot-tested and refined with a working group comprised of six US hospitals:

1. Conduct a review of hospital operations to determine how they support professional wellbeing.

2. Build a dedicated team to support professional wellbeing at the hospital.

3. Remove barriers to seeking care, such as intrusive mental health questions on credentialing applications.

4. Develop a suite of communication tools to help in sharing updates with the hospital workforce about the journey to improve professional wellbeing.

5. Integrate professional wellbeing measures into an ongoing quality improvement project.

6. Create a 12-month plan to continue to move the hospital’s professional wellbeing work forward.

The guide is the latest addition to the Impact Wellbeing™ campaign, which was launched in October 2023.

UKRAINE’S HEALTH TRANSPORT WORKERS FACE INCREASED RISK OF ATTACK AND INJURY

Ambulance and other healthcare transport workers in Ukraine face a risk of injury and death three times higher than that of other healthcare service workers, according to findings from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Surveillance System.

“Many emergency teams come under fire either on the way to a call or at their bases. four of our employees have already been killed and 12 people were injured and hospitalised,” said Halyna Saldan, Head of the Centre for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine of Kherson Regional State Administration.

Out of the 68 attacks verified by WHO during the first quarter of 2024, 12 of them targeted emergency medical services, including nine attacks targeting emergency medical aid base stations, seven attacks resulting in damage to ambulances, and six attacks affecting assets and emergency medical aid equipment.

“Emergency healthcare workers and services are dedicated to helping people in critical situations and must be protected in all circumstances.

“These attacks threaten their safety and further devastate communities that have been living under constant shelling for more than two years,” noted Dr Emanuele Bruni, WHO Incident Manager in Ukraine.

“This grim number underscores the pressure on the Ukrainian healthcare system,” stated Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.

“WHO urgently reiterates its calls for the protection of health-care workers and patients, as well as the uninterrupted delivery of essential health services.”

Since the invasion by the Russian Federation in February 2022, WHO has verified 1,682 attacks on the healthcare sector in Ukraine, resulting in 128 deaths and 288 injuries of medical personnel and patients.

WHO defines an attack on healthcare as any act of verbal or physical violence, obstruction or threat of violence that interferes with the availability, access and delivery of curative and/or preventive health services during emergencies. This can range from harm caused by heavy weapons to psychosocial threats and intimidation that affect access to healthcare for those in need.

PALESTINIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SET TO SOAR TO 57%

New estimates from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveal the loss of 507,000 Palestinian jobs to date, due the ongoing war in Gaza, shedding light on how the disruptions to economic life have led to unprecedented losses in employment and livelihoods across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Some 507,000 jobs have been lost across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) as of the end of January 2024, according to new estimates issued by the ILO and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on the impact of the war in Gaza on the labour market and livelihoods.

The new data estimates that (as 31 January 2024) around 201,000 jobs have been lost in the Gaza Strip, accounting for around two thirds of total employment in the enclave. In addition, 306,000 jobs (over one third of total employment) were also lost in the West Bank, where economic conditions have been severely impacted.

The data is published in the ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory: Bulletin No. 3’ – the latest ILO and PCBS joint briefs, which outline the impact of the hostilities on the OPT labour market. Previous estimates had put job losses at 468,000 jobs across the OPT.

“In addition to the devastating and catastrophic loss of life and with the people of Gaza on the brink of mass starvation, the war has also caused an economic and social crisis that is unprecedented in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” said ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat.

“In Gaza, entire neighbourhoods have been wiped from existence. Infrastructure, energy and water facilities have been demolished. Schools, medical facilities, and businesses have been destroyed. This has decimated entire economic sectors and paralyzed labour market activity, with untold repercussions on the lives and livelihoods of Palestinians for generations to come.”

“We are working with our partners and the international community to provide both immediate relief and longerterm assistance to mitigate the impact of the crisis on affected Palestinian workers and employers,” Jaradat said.

Ambulance workers face a risk of injury and death three times higher than other healthcare service workers. © WHO

© MSF (Médecines Sans Frontiéres/Doctors Without Borders)

EU-UN PROJECT TO ‘PROTECT’ WOMEN MIGRANT WORKERS AND CHILDREN IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

A new joint EU-UN initiative aims to help support and protect the labour rights of women migrant workers and children in Southeast Asia, by preventing and responding to violence, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

EU financial support of €13m to the UN for the new three-year PROTECT initiative, aims to strengthen the rights of women migrant workers, children and at-risk groups in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The EU Ambassador to Thailand H.E. David Daly said, “Together with Thailand and other partner countries in the region, we will provide protection for women and children, strengthen migration governance, tackle human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as well as develop legal pathways for sustainable migration policy.”

There are 10.6 million migrants in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, of whom nearly half are women and 1.3 million are children. Migrants, especially those in low wage occupations, face labour exploitation, human trafficking, violence and harassment.

Women migrant workers are also more likely to end up in informal sectors where they are offered temporary jobs and little to no social protection. Children accompanying migrant workers face a high risk of abuse, exploitation and trafficking as well as inadequate access to child protection services.

The project will be implemented by the ILO alongside the UN’s Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Children’s Fund.

The agencies will work with relevant stakeholders in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to strengthen laws and policies, improve capacities and mechanisms to better protect target groups’ rights and increase access to information and services.

The PROTECT project will run until December 2026, to build on results and lessons learned from two previous EUfunded projects: ‘Safe and Fair: Realizing women migrant workers’ rights and opportunities in the ASEAN region’, implemented by ILO and UN Women, in collaboration with UNODC; and ‘Protecting Children Affected by Migration in Southeast, South and Central Asia’ implemented by UNICEF.

US SAFETY COUNCIL RAMPS UP FIGHT AGAINST WORKPLACE DRUG OVERDOSES

New initiatives targeting opioid overdoses in the workplace have been launched by the National Safety Council in its battle against the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States, which now accounts for nearly 10% of workplace fatalities.

One of those initiatives is a free e-learning course, which covers the symptoms and signs of an overdose, how to administer opioid overdose reversal medication, how to incorporate those medications into a workplace safety plans, and administering hands-only CPR.

The National Safety Council (NSC) has also introduced its Workplace Wellbeing Hub – an online and interactive resource that includes customizable policies, data collection and data use guides, and a benefits checklist to see what services a workplace provides.

The National Safety Council has launched a set of initiatives under its Workplace Wellbeing Hub to target opioid overdoses in the workplace.

Additionally, the council is partnering with Emergent BioSolutions, the maker of NARCAN nasal spray, to provide access to the overdose reversal medication. Employers can purchase the medicine from NSC and have it delivered to their workplaces.

NSC President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin said that by providing these essential tools, resources and education, “we can empower workplaces to be prepared, be resilient and, ultimately, save lives”, adding “we employers to join NSC in stocking these medications at all worksites”.

EU, Ministry of Labour and UN representatives with participants at the launch of the PROTECT project in Bangkok © ILO/Thailand

Opioid overdoses now account for nearly 10% of workplace fatalities in the United States.