The importance of maintaining safe working practices for all our operations is paramount and Irish Lights employ a proactive and risk based approach to safety management.
The statutory regulations related to Irish Lights operations are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Applications) Regulations 2007-2013 (ROI), Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
Safety Policy is detailed in the Irish Lights Safety Management System (SMS) manual which is available at all sites. In summary the SMS provides for:
- Statements of policy and safety related responsibilities of managers and staff
- Guidance and instructions in safe working practices for specific operations
- Risk Assessment culture for tasks, new equipment/processes
- Investigation of accidents and incidents that have the potential to cause harm
- Recording and monitoring all safety related activities to determine system effectiveness
- Quarterly review and report of safety related activities
- Regular safety briefings for staff
Irish Light’s Health and Safety strategy is to monitor, review and record all safety related activities and review on a quarterly basis the effectiveness of the SMS. The Irish Lights Safety Coordination Team ensures safety related activities provide value in terms of education, and knowledge of safe working practices are distributed throughout the organisation. Accidents and incidents are investigated fully to identify the root cause and the necessary control measures to prevent a re-occurrence. Where appropriate, the investigation findings are promulgated to all staff and our Sister GLA Safety Management Teams in the UK (Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board).
The standard hazard identification tools of new and reviewed risk assessments, safety auditing and site safety inspections play a major part in all operations. Safety meetings, forums and briefings are used to stimulate discussion on safety related issues and promote a culture of safe working practices within Irish Lights.
