Health and Safety
For information concerning Health, Safety and Welfare at work, contact the Health and Safety Authority Tel : 1890 289 389 http://www.hsa.ie
For retail and food and drink companies, there is a section specifically aimed at these enterprises, information can be accessed at http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Small_Business/Simple_Safety/
https://besmart.hsa.ie/ is a link to a website which will take you through the process of completing your own safety statement.
A brief summary of some the duties and obligations of all employers under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 1989 2005 are outlined below:-
Every employer must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all his employees and other persons entering his workplace.
The Employers Duty Extends to and includes:-
- The maintenance of places of work to ensure they are safe and without risk to Safety and Health.
- The provision of safe plant and machinery.
- The adoption or introduction of safe and acceptable work systems.
- The provision of information and training to employees to ensure their safety at work.
- The provision of suitable protective clothing and equipment, as appropriate, for the safety of all employees at work .
Every employer must prepare a written safety statement which should:
- Specify the manner in which the safety, health and welfare of all employees is to be achieved.
- Identify hazards and assess risks to the safety and health of employees.
- State the arrangements made and resources provided for safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of employees.
- State the co-operation required from employees as regards safety, health and welfare.
- State the names, including the names of authorised deputies and their job titles, of the persons responsible for the performance of tasks or duties assigned to them on the safety statement.
- Consult with his employees in the preparation and maintenance of the safety statement and to co-operate effectively in developing and promoting measures to ensure their safety, health and welfare at work.
- Training in the area of Health & Safety at work is provided at regular intervals by Westmeath County Enterprise Board. Details of all current training courses are available in Business Courses and Training.