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A Safe Place of Work
An employer must ensure that the physical environment of the place of work is adequate.This article give general information
on the steps an employer should take to ensure a safe working environment.
Work areas should be large enough to be safe and healthy. This must include general stability, ventilation and fresh air,
temperature and lighting.
Pedestrians and vehicles must be able to circulate safely. Traffic routes, entrances and exits must be kept clear. Floors,
walls, ceilings, roofs, doors and gates, loading bays and ramps must be safe.
Toilet, washing and welfare facilities must be provided. In addition, rest rooms, changing rooms and sanitary facilities,
facilities for pregnant women, nursing mothers and employees with disabilities must be provided.
Employees working outdoors should be protected against bad weather, noise, slippery conditions, etc.
The Safe Use of Equipment
Essential warnings and markings should be placed on work equipment. Employees must be given adequate information and training
on its use, including written instructions if these are necessary.Repairs, modifications, maintenance or servicing should
be carried out only by competent persons. There should be safe means of access for production work and for maintenance or
adjustments.
All equipment must have proper control devices for starting and stopping. Guards should be placed on equipment where there
is a risk from contact, or where there are high or very low temperatures.
Any equipment from which objects might fall must be fitted with safety devices.The containment or extraction of gas, vapour,
liquid or dust emissions must be provided for. Equipment must be maintained during its working life so that it continues to
comply with these requirements. New equipment must meet with any EC Product Directive which applies. Where no EC Directive
exists, the equipment must comply with the requirements set out above.
Personal Protective Equipment
Wherever possible, employers must eliminate hazards in places of work at source. If these cannot be eliminated totally,
they must be reduced to a minimum and adequately controlled.
PPE must be provided free of charge by the employer and must be used by the employee. The personal protective equipment
must comply with any relevant EC standards. It must be suited to the risks involved, take account of the conditions of the
place of work, be suitable to the wearer and for the work to be done. Before choosing PPE, an employer must assess its suitability
in relation to the risks involved. The employer must also decide on the frequency of use of PPE. This will take into account
the seriousness and frequency of the risk.
PPE must be properly maintained and stored. Normally, only one employee will use any individual piece of personal equipment.
Employees must be specifically informed of the risks for which the PPE is provided. They must be properly instructed and trained
in its use, using demonstrations if appropriate.Information, training and consultation on safety and health must take these
requirements into account.
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Red Moose Clothing supply an extensive range of top quality footwear and workwear rated to the highest quality standards
The European Certification for EN345, EN346 or EN347.
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THE HARD FACTS
According to European Statistics of Accidents at Work (ESAW),2001:
* About 4.8 million accidents at work resulted in more than 3 days absence from work in the 15 Member States of the
EU.
* The estimated total number of accidents at work in the EU15 is about 7.4 million.
* In 2000, there were 5200 fatal accidents at work
* The fatal accident incidence rate decreased between 1994 and 2000
There are variations in the accident pattern throughout the workforce:
* Men have more accidents than women
* Young workers (18-24yrs) have a much higher accident incidence rate than other age groups, but
* Older workers (55-64yrs) have more fatal accidents
* The accident incidence rates in industry sectors vary widely.
* In the wood industry, every year, 10%of workers have an accident
* The rate of accidents is higher in small companies than large enterprises
* Accidents occurring at night tend to be more fatal than ones occurring at other times.
* The upper extremities; (arms, etc.) are the parts of the body injured by accidents at work
* Wounds and superficial injuries are the most common type of injury
According to the European Survey on Working Conditions 2000 (EWSC):
* 17% of illness absences from work are due to accidents at work.
* This adds up to about 210 million working days lost due to accidents at work.
The Eurostat Labour Force Survey reveals:
* Workers who have under 5 years seniority in an enterprise are more likely to suffer an accidental injury at work.
* Workers usually or sometimes doing shift work have a higher accident incidence rate than those never doing shift
work.
* 2.3 million Europeans consider themselves having a longstanding disability due to an accident at work
The cost of accidents to Europe
Every year, about 5,500 people are killed in the workplace across the European Union, with another 4.5 million accidents
resulting in more than 3 days absence from work (amounting to around 146 million working days lost). These accidents are estimated
to cost the EU about 20 billion Euro. The problem affects all sectors of the economy and is particularly acute in enterprises
with less than 50 workers.
Due to accidents at work, around 5% of people were forced to change their job or place of work or reduce their working
hours. 0.2% stopped working permanently. Between 1998 and 1999, it is estimated that work-related accidents cost the EU 150
million working days per year. A further 350 million days were lost through work-related health problems. Together, the total
"bill"; was 500 million days per year.
Accident prevention is good business
Accidents and occupational diseases can give rise to heavy costs to the company. For small companies particularly, occupational
accidents can have a major financial impact. Prevention of accidents has more benefits than just reducing damages. Preventing
work accidents, occupational injuries and diseases not only reduces the costs, but also contributes to improving company performance.
Occupational safety and health can affect company performance in many ways, for instance:
* Healthy workers are more productive and can produce at a higher quality;
* A reduction in work-related accidents and illnesses leads to less sick leave. In turn this results in lower costs
and less disruption of the production processes;
* Equipment and a working environment that is optimised to the needs of the working process and that are well maintained
lead to higher productivity, better quality and less health and safety risks;
* Reduction of injuries and illnesses means less damages and lower risks for liabilities.
source osha.europa.eu
For more information and legislation click here for the Office of Public Sector Information website
"Read The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 here"
IAPA Small Business Safety Calculator
published: 07.07.2008
The Small Business Safety Calculator is intended for small business owners to help them better understand all the costs
associated with workplace injuries.
http://www.iapa.on.ca/business/sb_calculator.asp
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