Dr Clare Ryan

 It’s not always what we do, but how we do it, which causes accidents

 Moral and ethical reasons  Economic reasons  Legislative reasons

 Hazards generally fall into four main groups

Physical Biological Chemical Ergonomic

      Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) Regulations, 2001 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 1994 as amended in 1998 Chemicals Act No 32 of 2010 Regulated by the Health and Safety Executive NI (www.hseni.gov.uk)

 Spectacle wearers not allowed on bouncy castle

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Statistics/Fatal_Injury/

 A ‘Hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons’.  A ‘risk is the likelihood that a person may be harmed or suffers adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard.’

http://biomed.science.ulster.ac.uk/risk/

 Hazards generally fall into four main groups

Physical Biological Chemical Ergonomic

 Cause damage to the body, e.g.: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Working with tools and machinery Working at height Electrical work Exposure to noise or vibration

 Able to produce health effects, e.g.

◦ Dusts and fibres ◦ Fumes and gases ◦ Corrosives, poisons

 Causes ill health through contact with : ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Micro-organisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi) Insects (mites, parasites) Human, animal waste Sharps (needles, scalpels)

 Harm caused by: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Poor working posture Poor workstation layout Confined space work Unsuitable equipment

• 3000 employees • 15,000 full time students • http://www.ulster.ac.uk

/hr/healthandsafety/ • http://www.ulster.ac.uk

/hr/healthandsafety/pro cedures_safety.html

 Hazards generally fall into four main groups

Physical Biological Chemical Ergonomic