Annual Report 2012.pdf (size 5.8 MB) - Offaly County Council

Council and members of the public.There was an overall reduction in the accident ratio up toNovember 2012 when compared to the same period in2011. Senior management continued to provideleadership in order to raise the profile of safety withinOffaly County Council. Safety Committee’s in OffalyCounty Council met a number of times during the year toraise health and safety issues and more importantly totry and provide practical solutions to eliminating orreducing the risk to employees. The Safety Committee’shave been a useful communication tool for employeesfrom different departments enabling them to interact andlearn how health and safety improvements can beachieved within their areas.During 2012 a number of inspections have been carriedout with the Health and Safety Authority. Theseinspections have been used to raise awareness in areasthat need slight improvements, however overall theinspections reflect the improvements which have beenmade by all employees during the year. The focus forOffaly County Council in 2013 will be to continue to builda close relationship with the local Health and SafetyInspectors and take on board the valuable advice issuedby them.The Offaly County Council online health and safetysystem was updated on the ‘I Portal System’ during theyear. Improvements were carried out in conjunction withthe suggestions made by staff members who use the IPortal System on a regular basis. This system has nowbecome a valuable safety aid for employees whenmanaging health and safety in their areas.Internal health and safety inspections continue to be anintegral part of Offaly County Councils system, and thishas been well received by all employees this year. Theseinspections have helped to highlight areas forimprovement and to prevent potential accidents fromoccurring. Internal inspection templates were developedto standardize the process of these inspections and wereused by staff at all levels during the year. Theseinspections will continue throughout 2013.Health and safety training continues to be at the forefrontof improving health and safety awareness among staffand ensuring that staff are competent for carrying outthe tasks in hand. In 2013, Offaly County Council willcontinue to ensure that relevant staff complete thestatutory training they require.The health and safety information, which is beingdeveloped at a national level and any new legislation willcontinue to be examined at local level and where deemedappropriate integrated into Offaly County Councils HealthOffaly Local Authorities Annual Report 201269