Menu
09/10/2008
Inspections Will Cut Accident Risks For Businesses
Local businesses are to benefit from advice on how to reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace.
The aim is to help them reduce absenteeism as a result of workplace accidents and lower insurance premiums. Environmental officers from Belfast City Council are carrying out a series of inspections as part of a European Week for Safety and Health at Work (20-26 October)
"Every year, millions of workers in the EU are involved in accidents which force them to stay at home for at least 3 working days at an enormous cost to the economy. Risk assessment is the key to reducing these figures," said Jennifer Murphy, Principle Environmental Health Officer of Belfast City Council.
"With the Healthy Workplaces campaign we want to encourage enterprises to carry out risk assessment properly, involving everyone in the workplace. Risk assessment is not necessarily complicated, bureaucratic or a task only for experts. There are plenty of tools available (such as checklists) that can help in the process. Proper risk assessment also brings a number of business benefits, because making workplaces safer and healthier helps to reduce absenteeism and insurance costs, and increases worker motivation and productivity."
During the European Week for Safety and Health at Work , which is part of a two year Europe wide campaign 'Healthy Workplaces: Good for you. Good for business' council officers will be carrying out inspections in local business outlets with a specific emphasis on risk assessment.
In particular, inspectors will be looking at risks associated with the employment of vulnerable workers such as young and migrant workers, as these groups are recognised as being more at risk of workplace accidents and ill health.
It is hoped that this campaign will help demystify risk assessment and, in particular, to reduce the risk of accidents and ill health in relation to vulnerable workers.
Europe launched 'Healthy Workplaces: Good for you. Good for business' after revealing that 5,720 people die in the European Union every year as a consequence of work related accidents with an estimated further 159,500 deaths from occupational diseases.
(JM/KMcA)
The aim is to help them reduce absenteeism as a result of workplace accidents and lower insurance premiums. Environmental officers from Belfast City Council are carrying out a series of inspections as part of a European Week for Safety and Health at Work (20-26 October)
"Every year, millions of workers in the EU are involved in accidents which force them to stay at home for at least 3 working days at an enormous cost to the economy. Risk assessment is the key to reducing these figures," said Jennifer Murphy, Principle Environmental Health Officer of Belfast City Council.
"With the Healthy Workplaces campaign we want to encourage enterprises to carry out risk assessment properly, involving everyone in the workplace. Risk assessment is not necessarily complicated, bureaucratic or a task only for experts. There are plenty of tools available (such as checklists) that can help in the process. Proper risk assessment also brings a number of business benefits, because making workplaces safer and healthier helps to reduce absenteeism and insurance costs, and increases worker motivation and productivity."
During the European Week for Safety and Health at Work , which is part of a two year Europe wide campaign 'Healthy Workplaces: Good for you. Good for business' council officers will be carrying out inspections in local business outlets with a specific emphasis on risk assessment.
In particular, inspectors will be looking at risks associated with the employment of vulnerable workers such as young and migrant workers, as these groups are recognised as being more at risk of workplace accidents and ill health.
It is hoped that this campaign will help demystify risk assessment and, in particular, to reduce the risk of accidents and ill health in relation to vulnerable workers.
Europe launched 'Healthy Workplaces: Good for you. Good for business' after revealing that 5,720 people die in the European Union every year as a consequence of work related accidents with an estimated further 159,500 deaths from occupational diseases.
(JM/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 August 2023
New £33m Remediation Fund Announced For Unsafe Cladding
The Department for Communities has announced a new £33 million fund for the remediation or mitigation of the life safety fire risks linked to external wall systems in residential buildings in Northern Ireland. The fund applies to residential buildings which are over 11 metres tall.
New £33m Remediation Fund Announced For Unsafe Cladding
The Department for Communities has announced a new £33 million fund for the remediation or mitigation of the life safety fire risks linked to external wall systems in residential buildings in Northern Ireland. The fund applies to residential buildings which are over 11 metres tall.
08 November 2004
HSENI tackle risks from work-related stress
HSENI has endorsed a new approach from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain to help employers work with their employees to manage the risks from work-related stress. Work-related stress is one of the leading causes of ill health in the workplace in Northern Ireland, affecting an estimated 16,000 people.
HSENI tackle risks from work-related stress
HSENI has endorsed a new approach from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain to help employers work with their employees to manage the risks from work-related stress. Work-related stress is one of the leading causes of ill health in the workplace in Northern Ireland, affecting an estimated 16,000 people.
11 June 2010
Bosses Targeted On Domestic Violence
Company bosses across Northern Ireland are being urged to show their support for victims of domestic violence. The employers are being asked to sign up to a major new programme launched at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus this week.
Bosses Targeted On Domestic Violence
Company bosses across Northern Ireland are being urged to show their support for victims of domestic violence. The employers are being asked to sign up to a major new programme launched at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus this week.
18 April 2024
NI Civil Service Launches New Neurodiversity Toolkt
As part of Autism Awareness Month, the Civil Service has announced the launch of a new Neurodiversity Line Manager's Toolkit. As an equal opportunities employer the Civil Service has said that it is committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces supporting and promoting neurodiversity in the workplace is a key part of their commitment.
NI Civil Service Launches New Neurodiversity Toolkt
As part of Autism Awareness Month, the Civil Service has announced the launch of a new Neurodiversity Line Manager's Toolkit. As an equal opportunities employer the Civil Service has said that it is committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces supporting and promoting neurodiversity in the workplace is a key part of their commitment.
28 June 2010
Patton Group Wins Major Accolade
The Patton Group were among the high-profile organisations that scooped gongs at the recent Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast.
Patton Group Wins Major Accolade
The Patton Group were among the high-profile organisations that scooped gongs at the recent Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
