Our clients involved in the Data Centre Project in London have also been using R-Link, A watch that is of a major assistance to safety on a construction site. In this months newsletter, we explain what R-Link is and the impact it can have on a site:

The R-Link smart watch uses the latest ultra-wideband technology to alert an operator when they are within dangerous proximity to moving vehicles or restricted areas.

How it Works:

R-Link is a holistic eco-system to link you to your employees, dependent only on an internet connection through a public mobile phone network or local wi-fi.

Assign an R-Link watch at the start of the working day. Your employee or visitor’s credentials, as entered in the Reactec Analytics software, will then control what type of protection they receive throughout the day.

Use R-Link beacons to create a no-go zone around dangerous plant.

A single R-Link gateway at the watch charging areas, automatically and safely transmits data to the powerful cloud-based Reactec Analytics software under GDPR compliance.

The Reactec Analytics turns the R-Link data on risk levels, near misses and employee activity into intelligence to create a safer, more sustainable work environment.

What problem(s) is this trial hoping to solve?

Reducing the risks surrounding People and Plant Interface – the equipment also provides essential data on when and where current Risk Control Measures are being breached, this then allows us to focus our attention to the required area and establish further controls.

 

Here are some pictures from our client for the Data Centre Project happening in London. These photos were taken with Drones which have numerous benefits in construction from a safety perspective.

What is photogrammetry and reality capture?

Reality capture is the process of creating digital representations of your construction sites.

This allows you to:

• Improve site documentation and communication Clearly and accurately track changes over time Make comparisons between designs and as-built Reduce the risk of expensive rework.
• Save time spent on in-person inspections Virtually visit the jobsite from anywhere Easily share this data with stakeholders.

Pre-construction

Reality capture in this phase has benefits for the estimating team and beyond:

• Communicate existing conditions to bidding trade partners.
• Give stakeholders higher confidence in their proposal.
• Help the trades to coordinate prior to mobilization.
• Communicate important site logistics (e.g. laydown areas, parking, storage, offices, connex, dumpster locations).
• All images are mapped by date and location for future reference.
• Construction Value to project teams.

The benefits of frequent reality capture throughout construction:

Virtual access to the jobsite for internal team and stakeholders (architects, owners, etc).

Reference images for use during OAC meetings, trade partner meetings and daily huddles.

Resolve trade damage claims Mitigate risk and minimize rework Stay on budget and on schedule.

Can be used:

• Façade inspections
• Internal snags
• External snags
• Progress shots
• High risk confined space inspections
• Rescue situations
• Training
• H&S monitoring.
• Site team, and design team collabs.
• Cut/fill volumetric readings
• Thermographic reading
• Orthomosaic drone models.

 

On Friday, 28th of July 2023, at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford fined an Agricultural Contractor €30,000 for breaches of health and safety legislation.

On Friday, 28th of July 2023, at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford fined an Agricultural Contractor €30,000 for breaches of health and safety legislation.

The prosecution arose following an investigation into a fatal accident that occurred on the 22nd of January 2021 on a dairy farm in Kilkee, Co. Clare. The contractor was hired by the farmer to dig out an excavation and build a slatted tank.  A neighbouring farmer, not being an employee of the contractor, was helping level a freshly poured concrete floor when an old pre-existing wall that formed part of the excavation collapsed on top of him. He received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The contractor pleaded guilty to the following offences under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and Construction Regulations 2013:

– Section 12 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 as it relates to Section 77 (9) (a) in that the contractor failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure the safety of individuals at the place of work, not being his employees.

– Regulation 51 (1) (a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (SI 291 of 2013) as it relates to Section 77 (9) (a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, the contractor did fail to ensure that adequate precautions were taken in an excavation to guard against dangers to persons from a fall or dislodgement of earth, rock or other material by means of suitable shoring or otherwise.

In the same case, Judge Francis Comerford also fined the farmer €3,500 for breaches of health and safety legislation.

The farmer pleaded guilty to the following offences under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2013: Regulation 6 (1) (b) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2013 contrary to Section 77 (2) (c) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 in that he failed to appoint in writing a competent project supervisor for the construction stage for construction work on his farm.

On Thursday the 6^th of July, in Clonmel Circuit Court, Judge John Martin handed down a 12-month prison sentence on an employer who had earlier pleaded guilty to charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007.

On 26th June 2016, a telehandler being used to carry out work on a farm holding at Coleman, Fethard, County Tipperary went out of control and overturned. As a result, an employee suffered fatal injuries and another employee suffered serious injury.

The employer, who was the farm owner and the owner of the telehandler, failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the safety health and welfare at work of his employees.

Furthermore the employer failed to maintain the telehandler in such a way as to reduce risks to the users of the telehandler as it was in a dangerous condition, unsafe and unfit for use in that the brakes, accelerator cable, transmission selector, cab door and seat belt were not maintained.

Here is some information about noise in the workplace, with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ).   What legislation is available to protect workers from noise exposure? In Ireland, the Regulations are the General Application Regulations 2007, Chapter 1 of Part 5: Control Of Noise at Work. And in the UK, it is the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. What are the risks for employees exposed to high levels of noise? If exposed to high noise levels over long periods of time, permanent loss of hearing can occur.  High noise levels can also interfere with communications in the workplace, leading to an increased risk of accidents. How is the noise level measured? This is measured in units known as decibels dB (A). However as a rough guide, if it is difficult to hear a normal conversation at a distance of 2m from the person speaking, it is likely that the noise levels in the area are above the levels permitted under these regulations (i.e. over 80dB (A)). What action should be taken when the noise exposure level is too high? When the level is above 85dB (A) the employer must: Identify the reasons for the excess noise and put in place a programme to reduce it. Provide the services of a registered medical practitioner to carry out hearing checks and audiometric testing. What type of PPE should be used? Earplugs and similar devices. Full acoustic helmets. Earmuffs which can be fitted to industrial helmets. Ear defenders with receiver for LF induction loop. Ear protection with intercom equipment. For more answers to FAQ and guidance for Noise in the workplace, please click on the following link: HSA Noise FAQ

Our team is specialised in Safety, Quality, Environmental, ISO Consultancy, and Recruitment, and it is our aim to provide the highest quality services on the market. Our team of experts go above and beyond to provide expertise, guidance, and solutions to our clients, candidates, and consumers. Sustainability and environmental quality is at the forefront of JMG’s core values, and we are committed to improving our wider community.

Our Irish division recently collaborated with Clean Coasts in Monkstown, Dublin for a corporate volunteer day to clean up the coast. JMG Solutions Ltd., also contributed a charitable donation to the Clean Coasts community grants scheme.

 

Clean Coasts’ corporate volunteering program allows companies to learn more about Ireland’s coastline, and the impact of litter on marine life and our environment. As a team, we made a positive impact on the community, learned about sustainability, and grew together as a team. For more information about Clean Coasts, and the incredible work they do with initiatives such as #2minutebeachclean, Think Before You Flush, and #plasticfreejuly, visit https://cleancoasts.org/

 

 

 

 

As a group we cleaned up the Seapoint beach, which has been awarded a Blue Flag, and we cleaned up the surrounding residential areas. We enjoyed a nice lunch after the clean up, and shared our favourite parts about the corporate volunteering event, and about JMG Solutions in general.

 

 

Use the SEAI Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA), adopting eco-friendly practices & energy-efficient choices with the help of grants. Establish how your company can access this government funded financial support