Report

Safety and Health at Work

Certificate in Nursing Studies

Duties of Employers

The Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 state the following as duties of the employer:

• Provide and maintain a safe workplace which uses safe plant and equipment • Prevent risks from use of any article or substance and from exposure to physical agents, noise and vibration • Prevent any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk • Provide instruction and training to employees on health and safety • Provide protective clothing and equipment to employees • Appointing a competent person as the organisation’s Safety Officer

Duties of Employees

The duties of employees while at work are set out in the Act. These include the following:

• To take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and of other people in the workplace • Not to engage in improper behaviour that will endanger themselves or others • Not to be under the influence of drink or drugs in the workplace • To undergo any reasonable medical or other assessment if requested to do so by the employer • To report any defects in the place of work or equipment which might be a danger to health and safety

• The HSA - Working to create a National Culture of Excellence in Workplace Safety, Health and Welfare for Ireland. • Role: The HSA is state sponsored body in Ireland with responsibility for securing safety, health and welfare at work and operate under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. They ensure safety and health in the workplace is a key priority for all. • Their responsibilities cover every type of workplace, large or small and every kind of work in the public and private sectors. • Inspectors of the Health and Safety Authority carry out reactive and pro-active inspections of workplaces. Reactive inspections may arise following an accident, incident or complaint. Pro-active inspections may be routine or targeted.

Health and Safety...