Safety is not just important it is Law
Every year approximately 33,000 people are injured at work.Many of these injuries have resulted in pain and suffering for employees and serious economic losses to their employer.
To start managing health and safety you kneed to know about the workplace health and safety laws that affect you. As well as being legal minimum standards these laws provide general guidance on how to prevent workplace accidents.
Safety Health & Welfare at Work Act 1989 (no. 7 of 1989)
Employers have a responsibility to look after their own and their employees' safety while at work by providing:
A safe place to work in.
A safe means of getting in and out of the premises.
Safe equipment.
Safe working procedures.
Information and training to employees.
Personal Protective Equipment to employees where required.
The Act requires every employer to identify the hazards and assess the risks at his place of work and prepare a Safety Statement.
A Safety Statement is an action programme outlining how health and safety is managed in the workplace.
Employees must co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters. They must report defects in plant and equipment, use chemicals and equipment safely and use protective clothing and equipment as is provided by their employer.