The Health
& Safety Authority (HSA) has launched a new toolkit with the aim of providing
guidance on the new General Application Regulations 2007. It
is designed specifically with the needs of small and micro
enterprises in mind.
The toolkit provides practical checklists
to help you improve standards of safety, health and welfare in
your workplace.
According to Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive Officer of
the Health and Safety Authority, “the General Application Regulations
2007 are comprehensive and wide ranging and this innovative new toolkit
provides hands-on guidance developed with the unique needs
of small and micro businesses in mind.”
He added, “it is vital that small and micro enterprises do not see
safety and health as something only big employers should be
concerned with. The safety and health of employees must be a priority
for all organisations, regardless of whether they employ 2 or
2000 staff.”
The new toolkit provides guidance on all elements
of the General Application Regulations including –
- Display screen equipment
- Safety signs
- Noise
- Manual handling
- Pregnant, post natal and breastfeeding employees
It was developed following widespread consultations with key small
business representative bodies and the format is designed to
provide support in a straightforward and user-friendly manner.
“Small
and micro enterprises feature strongly in the Health and Safety
Authority’s programme of work for 2008 and initiatives that are
appropriate to their size and informal structures will continue to be
developed”, added O’Halloran. “I urge small and micro
enterprise employers and managers to prioritise safety and
health and to promote a positive and proactive attitude within
their organisations.”
