AnnualReport and Statement of Accounts 1 APRIL 2014 – 31 MARCH 2015

Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Statement of Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2015

Laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly under paragraph 19 (3) of Schedule 2 of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

3 July 2015 HSENI

Our Values

• We value people as our most important resource.

• We are committed to ensuring exemplary standards of health and safety for everyone.

• We are committed to equal opportunity, openness, respect for individual differences and a workplace free from harassment.

• We foster an environment that encourages personal development allowing everyone to reach his, or her, full potential.

• We believe in a team approach to work with everyone feeling involved, valued and supported.

• We value commitment, motivation, enthusiasm, innovation and creativity.

• We strive for professionalism, quality and excellence in all that we do.

© Crown copyright 2015 You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v.2. To view this licence visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2/ or email: [email protected] Where we have identified any third party copyright information, you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is also available at http://www.hseni.gov.uk Any enquiries regarding this document should be sent to us at Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FR, Northern Ireland; Email: [email protected]

Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 1 Key Facts and Figures for 2014/15

Key trends in work-related • involved over 3,300 pupils from 67 injuries are as follows: primary schools in its Child Safety on Farms Poster competition and • fatalities up to 23, compared to eight distributed over 38,300 copies of the in the previous year; calendar produced from the winning entries; • fatalities in the agriculture sector up to nine, compared to four in the • delivered, in conjunction with local previous year; councils, 800 inspections focused on the issue of musculoskeletal • major injuries down 6.3% on last year disorders (MSDs); and down 13% since a five-year peak in 2010/11; and • delivered, in conjunction with local councils, approximately 600 • all reportable injuries up by 1% on inspections of ‘at risk’ premises last year to 2,263. regarding appropriate piping arrangements from LPG tanks; During the year, HSENI: • delivered 100 health and safety • continued the Farm Safety presentations to 2,700 young people Partnership and the implementation under its SafeStart initiative; of its second Farm Safety Action • distributed over 7,000 copies of Plan; its new ‘Be Safe When You Start’ • launched a new farm safety TV booklet aimed at young people advertisement, which was co- entering the world of work for the first sponsored by the Department of time; Agriculture and Rural Development • completed seven successful (DARD); prosecutions, which saw fines • undertook over 1,000 advisory farm totalling just over £129,500; visits and delivered over 50 farm • achieved UKAS Accreditation for its safety presentations; Scientific Services unit;

• reached over 12,400 children in 83 • delivered over 5,993 inspections and rural primary schools with its ‘Be served over 177 formal enforcement Aware Kids’ farm safety messages; notices;

• launched two new farm safety • delivered 315 mentoring visits DVDs aimed at children (‘Dangerous to start-up and existing small Playgrounds’ for 4-8 year olds and businesses (including 54 new ‘Farm safe’ for 8-11 year olds); construction companies);

2 Annual Report 2014–2015 3 Key Facts and Figures for 2014/15 Contents

• dealt with over 2,472 reportable HSENI – Our Values 1 work-related injuries and over 836 complaints about alleged Key Facts and Figures for 2014/15 3 unsatisfactory working conditions FOREWORD 6 and activities; STRATEGIC REPORT 9 • prepared five sets of Regulations Performance 13 and initiated consultations on 11 Regulations and Approved Codes of Communications 22 Practice; Information and Advisory Service 25

• submitted an Annual Equality Report Health and Safety Works NI 27 to the Equality Commission; SafeStart-NI 30 • organised 12 key events which Partnership with District Councils 32 attracted some 800 participants; Mental Wellbeing at Work Advisory Service 35 • held or attended over 550 BuildHealth 37 promotional events including Scientific Services seminars, lectures, workshops and 38 presentations; Employment Medical Advisory Service 39

• distributed over 313,300 free Agriculture 42 publications giving health and safety Construction 48 advice; Extractive Industries 50 • dealt with 5,680 calls for information General Manufacturing 53 via its freephone Helpline, including 2,000 requests dealt with a Duty Health, Social Care and Education 55 Inspector; and Major Hazards and Gas Safety 59

• enabled website visitors to download Major Investigation Team 61 over 246,750 publication files. Public Sector 62 Transport and Public Utilities 66 Health and Safety at Work Legislation 70 Administration 73 Statistics 80 Directors’ Report 87 Remuneration Report 90 Statement of Accounts 97 Appendix 1: HSENI Organisation Structure 136 Appendix 2: Fatal Injuries 137 Appendix 3: Prosecutions 139

4 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 5 Foreword

We are pleased to present HSENI’s HSENI undertook 1,000 farms visits Another disappointment this year was HSENI, in partnership with the 26 sixteenth Annual Report and Statement during the year providing the industry the increase in fatalities and injuries in District Councils, focused on a number of Accounts. with advice on farm safety. We are the construction sector, with five of issues including a targeted campaign pleased to note that the overall health fatalities in this sector in the last year. It to raise awareness of musculoskeletal This year again underscored the and safety standards appear to have is a clear signal to the industry that as disorders (MSDs). The campaign had importance of HSENI’s focus on farm improved compared to the previous the market conditions hopefully the strap-line ‘Keeping every BODY safety. Following a fall in the number of year. We were also pleased to see that improve, and the amount of moving well at work’ and had a detailed farm fatalities last year, sadly this year during return visits to farms this year, construction work increases, health and guidance document on the Prevention saw the number rise to nine. Through standards on power take off (PTO) safety must remain a priority. This is and Management of MSDs in the its second Farm Safety Action Plan, the guarding were acceptable. essential if this sector, which has shown Workplace. Farm Safety Partnership (FSP)1 a significant improvement in health and continues to make a major contribution We are always mindful of the safety performance over the past Under HSENI’s SafeStart-NI initiative, towards raising awareness of the main vulnerability of children on farms. In the decade, is not to find itself slipping which recognises the vulnerability of health and safety issues facing the last year HSENI visited 83 rural primary backwards. young people entering the world of farming industry and ensured that schools across Northern Ireland and work for the first time, 7,541 copies of important messages and advice were delivered its farm safety programme to Overall, the total number of all work- the publication ‘Be safe when you start’ distributed across the industry. The over 12,400 foundation and key stages related fatalities, including those within were distributed to schools and challenge remains to help farmers make 1 & 2 pupils. This was the fifth year of areas that are the responsibility of local colleges across Northern Ireland or the transition from awareness to the programme and to date HSENI has councils, was 26 in 2014/15 compared were downloaded from the ‘young behavioural change. reached 442 rural primary schools and to 10 in the previous year. This is very people’s’ page on HSENI’s website. an estimated 48,660 pupils. HSENI disappointing and the most notable Overall, under the SafeStart-NI initiative, In March 2015 a new television advert launched two new farm safety DVDs increases compared to 2013/14 more than 100 health and safety was produced highlighting the danger aimed at pupils aged between four and occurred in the agriculture and presentations were delivered to over of failing to check when reversing farm 11. These DVDs were produced to construction sectors. 2,700 young people in Northern Ireland machinery. We were tragically reminded highlight the commonplace dangers during 2014/15. of the dangers of mixing slurry this year children may face living on, playing on Despite a slight increase in reportable and an information leaflet was or visiting a busy working farm. The work-related injuries between 2013/14 During 2014/15, HSENI’s front line work produced highlighting the danger from annual farm safety poster competition and 2014/15, it is encouraging that the continued to be dominated by hydrogen sulphide and reminding continues to be embedded within rural 2014/15 figure reflects an 8% reduction investigating a number of significant farmers of the need to follow safe primary schools. Sixty-seven schools in the 2010/11 figure of 2,975, just workplace incidents resulting in deaths procedures when mixing slurry. Two registered and over 3,300 entries from short of the 10% reduction target set in and serious injuries, and dealing with a practical video guides were produced pupils were received. Fifty HSENI’s four year Corporate Plan for continuing high number of complaints using two farmers to tell of the presentations were delivered to a wide 2011-2015. about unhealthy and unsafe consequences of serious accidents range of audiences in relation to farm workplaces. Investigations by the involving an unguarded power take off safety at events across Northern Ireland Major Investigation Team resulted in shaft and an incident with a bull in including farmers’ groups, college seven successful prosecutions which which they were involved. students and pupils studying agriculture led to fines totalling £129,500. at GCSE level.

1 The Partnership comprises the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, NFU Mutual, the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster and the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association. It is chaired by the Chairman of HSENI and its aim is to increase awareness of farm safety and to reduce work-related fatalities and injuries on farms.

6 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 7 Strategic Report

During the year, HSENI carried out In conclusion, it is very disappointing HSENI, the regional health and safety HSENI’s strategy, as set out in its 5,993 inspections of workplaces and that 2014/15 saw an increase in work- authority for Northern Ireland, was Corporate Plan for the period 2011 to served over 177 formal enforcement related fatalities, highlighting in established on 1 April 1999 as an 2015, derives directly from the long- notices. In total, HSENI either held or particular the need to continue to focus executive Non Departmental Public term strategy for the better regulation of attended 406 promotional events our efforts on high risk work sectors Body (NDPB) with Crown status. This health and safety at work in Northern during 2014/15, many of which were in such as agriculture and construction. was brought about by an Order in Ireland conceived and developed in high risk work sectors such as As our economy emerges from the Council amending the Health and partnership with HSENI’s co-regulators, construction and agriculture. downturn, we all need to be vigilant to Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order the Northern Ireland District Councils. unsafe working practices and work 1978. An executive NDPB has a role in The strategy spells out the shared HSENI’s small business advisory hard every day to ensure we reduce the Central Government but is not a vision, mission and goals that both service, Health and Safety Works NI number of injuries and deaths at work. Department or part of one. HSENI is HSENI and the District Councils will (HSWNI), continued to work with start- funded by the Department of abide by as each delivers its services up and existing small businesses, We are grateful to all those who share Enterprise, Trade and Investment and meets its targets in their respective delivering 315 one-to-one mentoring our ambition to make Northern Ireland’s (DETI). enforcement environments. visits to such businesses to assist them workplaces as safe as possible. with their management of health and HSENI’s business is to ensure that risks Accordingly, the shared vision set for safety. Fifty-four new construction to people’s health and safety arising the better regulation of health and companies received one-to-one from work activity are properly safety at work in Northern Ireland is: advisory visits this year and a controlled, in ways that are ‘A place where the sensible control comprehensive “construction resource proportionate to risk, allow for of work-related risk is the norm and pack” specifically designed to ensure Keith Morrison technological progress and pay due work-related deaths, injuries and ill that these companies have ongoing Chief Executive regard to costs as well as benefits; and health are the exception.’ access to appropriate health and safety in all that it does, seek to promote management information was better management of health and safety The essence of the work that we will launched. at work, through systematic undertake in pursuit of this broad vision approaches to identifying hazards and is encapsulated in the following shared In addition, HSENI’s commitment to the assessing and controlling risks. mission statement: ‘To significantly development and involvement of its George Lucas reduce the number of work-related own staff was highlighted through the Chairman HSENI, subject to the DETI Minister, fatalities, injuries and cases of ill health results of a Staff Attitude Survey has primary responsibility under the in Northern Ireland.’ conducted in September 2014 that above Order for the regulation of health showed HSENI to once again have the and safety at work in Northern Ireland. highest employee engagement index This involves the proposing and setting score across the NICS. of necessary standards and securing compliance with those standards and undertaking other forms of activity designed to stimulate or support necessary action on the part of people and organisations that actually create risk.

8 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 9 This mission will be achieved by: 4. Building capacity - Build capacity for In order to assist in the delivery of the Principal risks managed by HSENI businesses, and in particular SMEs, to above vision, mission and goals, during 2014/15 were as follows: • ensuring that Northern Ireland’s effectively manage workplace health HSENI has established a business health and safety at work regulatory and safety; model based around the following key • Retention and availability of specialist/ system operates as effectively as objectives: skilled staff; possible, supporting businesses and 5. Vulnerable groups - Assist in • Failure to maintain an up-to-date reducing regulatory burdens; highlighting the needs of vulnerable • To provide the highest standards of regulatory framework; groups to ensure that their needs are service delivery at the regional level. • focusing on the core aspects of • Failure to secure sufficient funding to workplace health and safety in recognised and managed within the • To promote key workplace health and maintain services; Northern Ireland, thereby promoting workplace; safety messages and themes to • Damage to HSENI’s Reputation; sensible and proportionate risk targeted sectors and groups. 6. Targeted intervention and management by all; and • To communicate appropriate, timely • Third party financial loss or legal enforcement - Target resources for and practical workplace health and procedures being instigated; • targeting District Council and HSENI’s compliance based on proportionate safety information and advice. resources when appropriate, in a intervention and enforcement; • Failure to prevent and detect fraud manner that maximises each • To improve compliance with health and a failure to report suspected organisation’s ability to prevent harm 7. Working with other regulators - Work and safety standards through fraud; and secure justice. with other health and safety regulators inspection and investigation activities. • Major disruption to business; and in the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, • To ensure that an effective and up-to- • Emerging Risks. Under the joint strategy with our Europe and other parts of the world, to date health and safety at work District Council partners, our 10 goals ensure an effective network for learning regulatory framework is maintained. are: Further information on these risks and and sharing of good practice on key the controls taken by HSENI to mitigate aspects of workplace health and safety; This year has seen HSENI continue to 1. Working together - Work together to steer the course it set itself in its them is provided in the Managing Risk maximise resources to best effect, via Corporate Plan for the period 2011 to section of the Governance Statement joint strategic planning and a 8. The wider perspective - Have a wider which forms part of the Statement of perspective on other issues and 2015. As HSENI faces into the fifth year collaborative approach to of its Corporate Plan, it is constantly Accounts accompanying this Annual implementation; policies that impact on health and Report. safety in the workplace to influence and adapting to minimise the impact of challenging budgetary constraints. The 2. Sensible risk management - Promote maximise the benefit from potential The financial results of HSENI are set synergies; Corporate Plan has been rolled over for an approach to workplace health and a further year to include 2015/16. out in the Annual Accounts. The net safety management that informs risk cost of operations (i.e. net expenditure) makers and managers about the core 9. Leadership - Provide leadership for for the year was £6,972,000. principles and real health and safety the regulation of health and safety at issues; work; and

3. Focus on key workplace health 10. The role of others - Clarify and issues - Focus on key health issues in promote the role of others and their the workplace that will bring about a responsibility for managing health and reduction in the number of cases of safety and achieving excellence. work-related ill health;

10 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 11 Performance

HSENI is committed to the prompt As regards financial performance, This section summarises HSENI’s performance against operating plan payment of bills for goods and services. HSENI operated during 2014/15 within targets during 2014/15. In November 2008, in order to help the budget allocated to it by its sponsor local business in the worsening department, the Department of Service Delivery economic climate, Minister Dodds Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and announced that Northern Ireland budget expenditure at year end was To provide the highest standards of service delivery at the regional level. Departments and NDPBs were being within the acceptable tolerances set a target of ensuring that invoices for permitted by the Department of Finance Key areas Targets Progress all businesses are paid within 10 days and Personnel. of receipt, regardless of payment terms. Quality of Service • Continue to operate a quality Target Achieved management scheme and In 2014 Scientific Services celebrated Quarterly analysis has indicated that, While this strategic report includes maintain UKAS Accreditation for and successfully retained 30 years of during the year, HSENI paid 99.4% of information on HSENI’s employees and HSENI’s scientific services by 31 3rd party accreditation by UKAS. its invoices within 10 working days social, community and human rights March 2015. (2013/14: 100%). HSENI paid 100% of issues, it does not include information its invoices within 30 days (2013/14: about environmental matters. • Monitor service delivery targets to Target Achieved ensure that the standards set out Monitoring completed in December 100%). This policy on prompt payment in HSENI’s Customer Care Charter 2014 - all standards were met. is expected to continue in the 2015/16 are being met by 31 December financial year. 2014. Efficiency • To work in partnership with the Target Achieved The Statement of Accounts has been District Councils in delivering joint Joint working activity all delivered prepared under a direction issued by working activity on priority topics as planned. K Morrison and projects, covering the Department of Enterprise, Trade Chief Executive musculoskeletal disorders, buried and Investment under the Health and LPG pipework and carbon Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order Date: 25.06.2015 monoxide by 31 March 2015. 1978, as amended by the Health and • During 2014/15, all case files will Target Achieved Safety at Work (Amendment) (Northern be presented to the Public All case files have been dealt with Prosecution Service for Northern in this way. Ireland) Order 1998. The Statement of Ireland (PPSNI) in accordance with Accounts has been prepared on a the agreed quality standards. going concern basis. • Through a range of Cross Border Target Achieved Working Groups, involving Cross Border meetings held in areas This strategic report provides a representatives from both HSENI of Agriculture, Construction and balanced and comprehensive analysis and the RoI’s Health and Safety Extractive Industries. Authority, facilitate the sharing of of the development and performance of information and best practice in HSENI’s business during 2014/15 and areas such as construction, includes the following sections on agriculture, extractive industries and major hazards during Performance through to Statistics. 2014/15.

• Fulfil HSENI’s responsibilities as a Target Achieved statutory consultee in respect of Forms part of the inspection planning regulations by responding programme. to all consultations relating to proposed developments adjacent to/at major hazard sites and gas transmission applications.

12 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 13 Key areas Targets Progress Key areas Targets Progress Access to information • Publish minutes of all HSENI Target Achieved Priority issues and high Ø A seminar for contractors involved Target Achieved Board and Senior Management All minutes are published on website. risk work sectors in the asbestos removal industry; Seminar held on 12.03.15. Team meetings held during 2014/15 on HSENI’s website. Ø A health awareness day for the Target Achieved construction industry focusing on Completed 25.09.14. • Publish an Annual Report and Target Achieved silica, hand-arm vibration and Statement of Accounts for Annual Report published on 9 musculoskeletal disorders; 2013/14 by 30 September 2014. September 2014. Ø A workshop on the priority issues Target Achieved • Publish information on HSENI’s Target Achieved in partnership with the agri-food Seminar held on 18.02.15 at Loughry website relating to enforcement Website updated regularly to show industry; College. notices served and prosecutions latest available information. taken on HSENI’s behalf during Ø A Cross-Border seminar aimed at Target Achieved 2014/15. the extractive industries. Seminar held on 19.11.14. • Work with all the Farm Safety Target Achieved Partnership partners to ensure that Work completed as planned. Promotion the actions set out in the Farm Safety Action Plan are delivered by To promote key workplace health and safety messages and themes to targeted 31 March 2015. sectors and groups. Ø Three seminars on work-related Target Achieved stress in conjunction with the Four seminars have been held: Labour Relations Agency. 29.04.14 – Belfast Key areas Targets Progress 21.05.14 – Londonderry 23.10.14 – Belfast Priority issues and high • Run or participate in 150 local Target Achieved 25.03.15 – Londonderry. risk work sectors promotional events, including 406 events held during 2014/15. workshops, seminar and Ø Three meetings of the Waste Target Achieved exhibitions, providing attendees Industry Safety and Health 1 meeting held on 03.06.14 with key health and safety (WISHNI) Forum. 1 meeting held on 02.09.14 messages so that they will, 1 meeting held on 04.11.14. through their actions, have a positive impact on the standard of Vulnerable groups • Continue with the “Be Aware Kids” Target Achieved health and safety in their Child Safety on Farms campaign Winners announced in September businesses, workplaces and by running a safety on farms and prizes distributed during October communities. poster competition aimed at and November 2014. primary school pupils in rural areas • Hold a series of targeted events in Target Achieved by 31 December 2014. conjunction with partner Complete – February 2015. organisations by 31 March 2015, • Launch two Child Safety on Farms Target Achieved including: DVDs by 30 June 2014. DVDs launched on 28.05.14.

Ø A Health and Safety Awareness • In conjunction with the Gas Safe Target Achieved day for the agricultural industry; Register, the Consumer Council, Participation in Gas Safety Week and OFTEC and other key promotion of Carbon Monoxide Ø Two seminars for construction Target Achieved stakeholders, including the fuel Awareness Month. companies in partnership with the Seminar held on 26.06.14 supply industry, continue to construction industry; Seminar held on 06.11.14. maintain public awareness, particularly among children, of the Ø Three workshops for the quarry Target Achieved risk of carbon monoxide poisoning industry; 01.05.14 – Knockloughrim from all fuels by 31 March 2015. 08.05.14 – Sixmilecross 15.05.14 – Newtownhamilton 22.10.14 – Derrylin x 2 05.11.14 – Fivemiletown, Lisnaskea, Derrylin 14.11.14 – Loughgiel and Castlenavan.

14 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 15 Key areas Targets Progress Key areas Targets Progress Recognising Excellence • Undertake an audit of at least one Target Not Achieved Priority issues and high • Continue to work with a range of Target Achieved further organisation invited to Postponed due to high volume of risk work sectors public sector bodies in reducing ill Stress risk assessments completed participate in HSENI’s Recognising work in other areas. health attributed to work-related for 16 organisations. Excellence Programme by 31 stress during 2014/15. March 2015.

• In conjunction with NIC ICTU, Target Not Achieved Vulnerable groups • Distribute 7,000 copies, including Target Achieved present an award that recognises Postponed due to high volume of downloads, of HSENI’s “Be safe 7,541 copies distributed (7,104 hard the contribution health and safety work in other areas. when you start” booklet to young copy and 437 downloads). representatives have made in people and students entering the improving health and safety world of work for the first time by standards in their workplace, by 31 March 2015. 28 February 2015.

Workplace Health • Under the BuildHealth initiative, Target Achieved • Deliver 20 presentations to Target Achieved deliver a seminar for building Seminar held on 23.10.14. students and apprentices to raise 33 talks given (20 construction + 13 contractors on the management of awareness of health and safety agriculture). workplace health by 31 March issues in construction and 2015. agriculture by 31 March 2015.

Small businesses • Through its small business Target Achieved advisory service, Health and Safety 20 seminar/workshops delivered. • Deliver farm safety presentations Target Achieved Works NI (HSWNI), deliver 15 to children in 80 rural primary 82 presentations delivered to 12,469 health and safety seminars/ schools on health and safety pupils. workshops for small businesses in issues around helping, working or partnership with other playing on farms by 31 March organisations by 31 March 2015. 2015.

• Design and print a child safety on Target Achieved farms wall planner for 2015 and Calendar completed – 38,300 Information distribute to rural schools by 31 calendars distributed to 424 rural December 2014. primary schools. To communicate appropriate, timely and practical workplace health and safety information and advice. Small businesses • Through its small business Target Achieved advisory service, Health and Safety 285 new visits to small businesses. Key areas Targets Progress Works NI (HSWNI), provide Priority issues and high • Distribute 125,000 items of Target Achieved mentoring to 250 small risk work sectors published information/advisory 560,050 publications Issued to end businesses, including farms, to material (including electronically of March (313,300 hard copy and assist them with their management published materials) to employers, 246,750 downloads). of health and safety by 31 March employees and members of the 2015. public, to allow them to make • Review and reprint “The absolutely Target Achieved informed decisions about their essential health and safety toolkit Re-printed 25.11.14. health and safety so that each will, for the smaller construction through their actions, have a contractor” by 31 March 2015. positive impact on the standard of health and safety in their businesses, workplaces and communities.

16 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 17 Information Key areas Targets Progress To improve compliance with health and safety standards through inspection and Inspection (including • Undertake at least 5,500 Target Achieved Investigation) inspections across all work sectors 5,993 inspections completed during investigation activities. for which HSENI is responsible, the period. aimed at improving levels of compliance with health and safety Key areas Targets Progress standards.

Priority Issues • Slurry, animals, falls and Target Achieved • RIDDOR incidents will be selected Target Achieved equipment in the agricultural Formed part of the inspection for investigation using HSENI’s The selection procedure was applied sector. programme. Incident Selection Procedure. and 185 incident reports were • Onsite and offsite emergency Target Achieved investigated in-depth. plans at major hazard (COMAH) Formed part of the inspection • All complaints about workplace Target Achieved sites. programme. health and safety standards will be 836 complaints were investigated. • Maintenance and use of electrical Target Achieved investigated in accordance with switchgear by high voltage Formed part of the inspection HSENI’s published procedure. consumers. programme. • All fatal incidents will be Target Achieved • Work-related health issues in the Target Not Achieved investigated. Investigations take place in relation to manufacturing sector. Postponed due to high volume of all reportable fatalities. work in other areas. Compliance/Enforcement • All employers found to have an Target Achieved • The management of legionella Target Achieved unsatisfactory level of compliance 55 Improvement Notices and 122 prevention in premises with Formed part of the inspection will be considered for enforcement Prohibition Notices were served as a high-risk water and water cooling programme. action in accordance with HSENI’s result of unsatisfactory standards. systems. Enforcement Guidelines.

• Commercial and council waste Target Achieved handling facilities. Formed part of the inspection programme.

• Asbestos removal operations. Target Achieved Formed part of the inspection programme.

• Musculoskeletal disorders in Target Achieved higher risk areas, contributing to a Campaign launched May 2014. joint HSENI/District Council Project.

Vulnerable groups • Ensure that the health and safety Target Achieved needs of vulnerable workers such Formed part of the inspection as those having a disability, young programme. workers (including school leavers entering the workplace for the first time), older persons and migrant workers, are addressed during all inspection and investigation activities where appropriate.

18 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 19 Regulation Other Corporate Targets

To ensure that an effective and up-to-date health and safety at work regulatory Key areas Targets Progress framework is maintained. Health, safety and welfare • During 2014/15, through the Target Achieved leadership of the HSENI Senior Regular building inspections Key areas Targets Progress Management Team, maintain and undertaken – led by member develop a health, safety and of SMT. Consultative and • Publish Consultative Documents in welfare culture within HSENI that Discussion Documents relation to proposals for Health minimises the risk of incident, and Safety Regulations and illness or injury. Approved Codes of Practice in areas, including: Policy development • Submit an Annual Report to the Target Achieved Equality Commission on the Annual Report submitted 14.08.14. Ø Construction Target Achieved implementation of HSENI’s actions (design and management) Consultation launched on 15.12.14. under equality and disability duties by 31 August 2014.

Control of major accident hazards Target Achieved Human resources • Seek re-accreditation of HSENI as Target Achieved Consultation launched on 02.02.15. an Investor in People organisation Bronze level recognition by 30 June 2014. achieved June 2014. Health and Safety • Ensure that 100% of its proposals Target Achieved Regulations for the making of Health and • Develop HSENI’s Learning and Target Achieved Safety Regulations required to Development Plan for 2014/15 by Plan developed September 2014. satisfy EU Directives will be 31 October 2014. submitted to the Department within six months of the Corporate Governance • Support the quarterly meetings of Target Achieved corresponding Regulations being and Risk Management HSENI’s Audit and Risk ARMC continues to meet made in Great Britain. Management Committee during every quarter. 2014/15, in its task of seeking • Develop Health and Safety assurances on the corporate Regulations to cover a variety of governance and risk management topics, including: processes and procedures within Ø Revisions to reporting of injuries, Target Not Achieved HSENI. diseases and dangerous Not proceeded with on grounds of • Undertake a desk-top test of Target Achieved occurrences lack of stakeholder consensus and HSENI’s Business Continuity Plan BCP Exercise held on 25.02.15. cost. and identify necessary changes by 31 March 2015. Approved Codes of • Adopt Approved Codes of Target Achieved Practice and Guidance Practice and Guidance developed Seven revised HSE ACOPs approved Financial • Prepare, finalise and lay before the Target Achieved by the Health and Safety Executive and one Northern Ireland ACOP Assembly, HSENI’s Statement of Completed Accounts laid on in Great Britain for use in Northern withdrawn. Approval of a further Accounts for 2014/15 before the 1 July 2014. Ireland where appropriate. two revised HSE ACOP’s in progress summer recess for 2014. and action in relation to another one ACOP is under consideration following consultation.

20 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 21 Management Commentary

Communications Partnership working is particularly • Safer Precast Seminar in February important to HSENI and partnership 2015 in Antrim; Communication is a vital part of health and safety and an essential aspect of HSENI’s events such as: Construction Seminars, • Waste Industry Safety, Health and day-to-day work programme. Promotion of occupational health and safety information Health Awareness Seminars, Safer Precast Awareness Day in February 2015 to targeted groups, through communication channels that include campaigns, Seminars, Cross Border Construction in Lisburn; publications, seminars, workshops, web activity and exhibitions, help to raise awareness Safety Conference, BuildHealth of key issues in order to prevent and reduce future occurrences of work-related Conferences, the ongoing work of the • Industry Asbestos Seminar in March injuries and ill health. WISHNI Forum and the Farm Safety 2015 in Dundrod; Partnership enable access to health • Awards for 2015 Waste Management and safety information by a much wider Ambassadors in March 2015 in range of customers than HSENI would Templepatrick; be able to reach on its own. • Farm Safety Advertising Campaign During 2014/15, HSENI’s Information Launch in March 2015 in Dundonald; and Advisory Services team organised and the following key events, in partnership • Asbestos Updates Seminar in March with Inspectorate staff, attracting 740 2015 in Antrim. participants: During 2014/15, HSENI either held or • Farm Safety Action Plan Launch in attended 406 promotional events April 2014 in Belfast; including seminars, lectures, • Fermanagh County Show in August workshops and presentations. 2014 in Enniskillen;

• Leading Occupational Health in Construction Seminar in September 2014 in Dundrod;

• Critical Design Issues for Safer Construction and Future Maintenance Seminar in September 2014 in Belfast;

• BuildHealth Health Awareness Seminar in September 2014 in Dundrod;

• Cross Border Conference for Pictured at the launch of the 2015 Avoid Harm Construction Safety in October 2014 on the Farm, child safety on farms calendar, are in Monaghan; Chairman of the Health and Safety Executive Pictured at the launch of the new Farm Safety Action Plan -‘Taking the next steps to safer farms’ are for Northern Ireland (HSENI), George Lucas and left to right, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster, Chairman of the Health and • BuildHealth Annual Conference in second place winner of the foundation poster Safety Executive for Northern Ireland George Lucas, Ulster Farmers’ Union Chairman Harry Sinclair October 2014 in Dundrod; category (tractors), Alexander Madeley from and Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill. Broughshane Primary School.

22 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 23 Child Safety Week was held in June Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month Information and • developing and promoting 2014. Information and Advisory was launched, for the second year, in Advisory Service campaigns, including advising on the Services staff visited shopping centres November 2014. Information and Advisory creative, messaging and media in Magherafelt and Newry, engaging Services staff assisted the Major Hazards HSENI’s Information and Advisory strategy of the recent high profile with parents and children and and Gas Safety Group with dissemination Service, which includes the information farm safety TV adverts that feature as distributing information leaflets relating of literature, publicity in local and and Advice Centre and freephone part of the ongoing Stop and Think to the safety of children on farms. national press and social media Helpline service, has continued to assist SAFE campaign; engagement with key stakeholders. employers, employees, trade union • drafting and issuing news releases representatives, safety professionals to media outlets; and practitioners and members of the public requiring help or information on • promoting a range of events and health and safety matters. seminars for HSENI, including assisting in the development and The one-to-one Advisory Service, organisation of HSENI’s annual which allows customers to speak to a Balmoral Show stand; Duty Inspector who can give advice on • managing content on HSENI’s all aspects of health and safety in the websites; workplace, on a confidential basis • managing and developing HSENI’s if necessary, responded to 2,000 social media channels; requests. This service is accessed through HSENI’s freephone Helpline • developing and advising on HSENI’s on 0800 0320 121. suite of corporate and sector specific publications; and

The Information and Advisory Service is • liaising with communication partners also responsible for HSENI’s PR and to enhance our key messages. marketing function, ensuring that key workplace health and safety messages Throughout the year, HSENI: are promoted in an appropriate and HSENI’s favourite pet, Spanner the Dog, meeting people at Kennedy Shopping Centre as part of Gas timely manner to targeted groups, • Distributed over 313,300 free Safety Week. through a variety of communication publications giving health and safety channels. Activities include: advice;

During October 2014, HSENI promoted All these events were organised with • Dealt with 5,680 calls for information the European Week for Safety and the purpose of highlighting the via its freephone Helpline; and Health campaign on ‘Working together importance of health and safety issues for risk prevention’. This was the in the workplace. They helped to raise • Enabled website visitors to download second year of this campaign which ran awareness of key issues and showed some 246,750 publication files. until December 2014. The campaign that by effectively managing health and was designed to help employers, safety, operating costs can be reduced, workers, workers’ representatives and profits improved and business the whole supply chain evaluate and competitiveness enhanced. reduce workplace risks.

24 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 25 Health and Safety Works NI

HSENI’s Training and Resource Centre (TRC) at Ladas Drive was also well utilised Health and Safety Works NI (HSWNI), NI’s ‘Exploring Enterprise’ programme throughout the year. The TRC is made available at no charge to not-for-profit HSENI’s dedicated small business and a further 12 clients taking part in organisations, to run their own health and safety events. This facility has been used advisory service, continues to provide the ‘Start a Business’ programme. for training events and meetings organised by external organisations such as the practical and impartial advice on Northern Ireland Safety Group and local health and first aid bodies. The TRC has also managing health and safety in the HSWNI facilitated 13 workshops and been used for training events and meetings attended by HSENI and Partnership workplace to all small businesses (less delivered 27 health and safety members such as the WISHNI Forum (Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum than 50 employees) across Northern presentations across a range of sectors Northern Ireland), as well as District Council staff. Ireland. The team of advisers provide giving both general and industry three levels of service: information, specific health and safety advice. advice and guidance, and support to a wide range of businesses in sectors as Online communications with the diverse as construction, manufacturing, HSWNI website continued to increase agriculture and quarrying. The service with almost 329,500 visitors to the site, is also available to enterprises in the an 80% increase on the previous year, social economy and service sector. and over 178,500 pieces of information HSWNI’s service is free and confidential downloaded during the operating year with no enforcement implications for which was a 55% increase in the the business. download figures for 2013/14. Construction specific templates and During 2014/15, HSWNI continued to worked examples of a health and safety promote its service to the small policy, risk assessments and method business sector by attending 67 events statements continued to be the most including the Belfast City Airport Safety popular downloaded information. Day on 29 April 2014, the Balmoral Show from 14 to 16 May 2014 at One-to-One Advisory Visits Balmoral Park in Lisburn, the Electrical Trade Show held on 5 June 2014 in A key objective of the health and safety Belfast, two Plumbing and Heating promotional work undertaken is to Shows held on 25 September 2014 in generate a demand for the free and Belfast and 19 March 2015 in confidential mentoring service offered Londonderry, the Design and Construct by HSWNI. Two hundred and eighty- HSENI’s Chief Executive Keith Morrison is pictured with James Badger (Granville Ecopark Limited, Trade Show held on 19 and 20 five new small businesses received this Dungannon), Chris Beddoes (SITA Northern Ireland), Jennifer Stephens (Belfast City Council), Danielle November in Belfast and the Waste service from HSWNI in the period and Shields (Bryson Recycling, Mallusk) and Gary Flaherty (Alpha Resource Management Limited, Lisburn) Industry Awareness Day on 26 together with WISHNI Chairman Professor Alan Woodside OBE at the WISHNI Ambassadors Awards because this is on a one-to-one basis, Programme 2015. February 2015 in Lisburn. the advisor can devote time to deal with the specific health and safety issues of HSWNI offered support to 285 new the particular business involved. A further small businesses, mentored 37 30 repeat visits were made to companies entrepreneurs participating in the Invest that had previously used the service. NI ‘Regional Start’ programme and advised 58 clients enrolled in Enterprise

26 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 27 Construction safety is one of HSWNI’s Enterprise Agencies, and delivered two A further 20 presentations were priorities due to its ‘high risk’ profile and workshops. The first was held on 5 June delivered in partnership with other 54 new construction companies received 2014 at the Omagh Enterprise Centre organisations. Some of these were to one-to-one advisory visits this year. and the second on 26 November 2014 address industry specific issues such HSWNI has produced a comprehensive at Cookstown Fire Station. as: health and safety in the residential ‘construction resource pack’ specifically care sector held in April 2014, promoting to ensure that these companies have A further three workshops on a variety the small business advisory service to ongoing access to appropriate health of health and safety topics were organisations at an event run by the NI and safety management information. delivered in partnership with the Labour Safety Group in Antrim in June 2014, Relations Agency (LRA) on 3 April 2014 fire safety at an event held in Omagh in Provision of Information and 9 October 2014 at their office in July 2014, a health and safety awareness Belfast and on 12 June 2014 at their presentation to an entrepreneur bootcamp In order to provide further information office in Londonderry. in September 2014 and another and guidance to small businesses, two specifically for sub-contractors in new information sheets ‘Protect your A new partnership with the Insurance October 2014, and a health and safety Profit – Safety in tyre and exhaust Industry was developed during the year awareness presentation to voluntary centres’ and ‘Protect your Profit – and two health and safety workshops groups at Limavady Volunteer Centre Safety in general retail premises’ were were delivered, on 11 February 2015 in in October 2014. produced during the year. These were Londonderry and on 10 March 2015 in printed and also made available to Belfast. Other presentations were made to download from the website. In line with entrepreneurs enrolled with the College the priority topics within the HSENI The partnership with the Construction of Agriculture, Food and Rural Corporate Plan, the website was also Industry Training Board (CITB NI) has Enterprise, who were planning to updated to include information and generated ongoing links with the diversify into new sectors. These were advice on Manual Handling and Silica construction industry enabling HSWNI held on 9 March and 18 March 2015 in Dust providing information and to provide valuable health and safety Omagh and Antrim respectively. During checklists. Two new industry pages advice to this high risk sector. During the year, new links were formed with were developed on the website the year, HSWNI supported CITB NI in Invest Northern Ireland which also providing advice and guidance for the the delivery of seven health and safety allowed networking and promotion of food and drink manufacturing industry presentations to their clients held in HSWNI’s services at 20 of their and the tattooing and body piercing Portadown, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, ‘Delivering Faster Growth’ and ‘Effective industry. All information was made Belfast, Lisburn, Fermanagh and Financial Management’ events across available to download from the website. Craigavon. HSWNI also delivered a Northern Ireland. series of five workshops from October 2014 to March 2015 held in Armagh, Working in partnership Newtownards, Coleraine, Belfast and Due to the continued success and Antrim for CITB clients focused on popularity of the ‘Managing Fire Safety’ writing method statements and health workshops, HSWNI has continued to and safety plans, and also gave guidance work in partnership with the Northern on writing a health and safety policy Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the and completing a risk assessment.

28 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 29 SafeStart-NI

Young people, when they move from Loughry and Enniskillen campuses. In over 1,000 students. As well as a education to the workplace, can have addition a series of talks were given to range of relevant promotional material, an increased ‘at risk’ profile due to their Young Farmers’ Clubs in Counties HSENI highlighted the principles within lack of maturity, experience and their Antrim, Down and Londonderry. the ‘Be Safe When You Start’ booklet limited appreciation of workplace risks. to both staff and students attending the HSENI’s SafeStart-NI programme HSENI once again supported the event. As a result of this work, HSENI focuses on providing these young Skillbuild Northern Ireland Finals arranged to deliver 61 further health people, whether on work experience, competition held at the Greenbank and safety presentations to young about to start their first job, or those campus of the Southern Regional students engaged on courses in who have already joined the workforce College on 17 and 18 May 2014. With engineering, construction, motor with the information and advice to apprentices from different trades vehicle repair, health and social care, enable them to work safely and stay competing for places in the UK finals, hair and beauty and business studies. healthy in any work environment. HSENI used this opportunity to Many of these students were about to promote the SafeStart programme to embark on their first work placements. HSENI’s ‘Be Safe When You Start’ industry and education bodies and to book is a much used resource within highlight the need to raise standards For people entering the construction the education environment and and create a safer working environment industry, one of the potentially fatal risks teachers and lecturers use it to equip for young people. to health still present in many of our young students with basic health and buildings is asbestos. HSENI continues safety information as well as informing HSENI was invited to speak to lecturers to prioritise this risk and consequently them about the information they should from the Regional Colleges at their 16 presentations were given to expect an employer to provide as part college wide forum in Dungannon on refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, of their induction training. During the the health and safety responsibilities of joinery and construction apprentices at year, more than 7,000 copies of the the colleges when placing students on the regional college campuses book were distributed to schools and student placement/work experience/ throughout the Province, as well as to colleges across Northern Ireland or apprenticeships. Following this HSENI students at Springvale Learning Centre, downloaded from the young ‘people’s’ also engaged with the work placement Belfast. page on the HSENI website. HSENI officers at the Ballymena campus of the also delivered health and safety Northern Regional College and at the Overall, under the SafeStart-NI initiative, presentations to year 11 and 12 Dungannon and Enniskillen campuses more than 100 health and safety students at nine schools across of the South West Regional College. presentations were delivered to over Northern Ireland. 2,700 young people in Northern Ireland In September 2014, HSENI attended during 2014/15. This year, a priority was maintained on the annual freshers’ fairs at 21 providing information to young people campuses of the Belfast Metropolitan, in agriculture and horticulture, with 27 Southern, South Eastern, Northern, presentations being given. Relevant South West and North West regional safety and health information were colleges. HSENI also attended the given to the students studying at the annual Causeway Business Education College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Partnership area careers convention in Enterprise (CAFRE), at Greenmount, Coleraine on 6 March 2015, reaching

30 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 31 Partnership with District Councils

This year saw a continuing The second tier is the Planning and Gas Safety Regulators development of the partnership Development Group which comprises Group between HSENI and the District senior officials from HSENI and District Councils as the structures, established Councils and this gives direction on The Joint HSENI and Local Authority through the joint strategy, strengthened joint working based on the key priorities (LA) Gas Safety Regulators Group working relationships and made a for both HSENI and the District continued to meet regularly during significant impact on health and safety Councils. This work is then directed 2014/15. The group shared knowledge regulation in Northern Ireland. through the third tier consisting of on a range of gas topics, including operational groups to deliver the work. ventilation and safe installation of gas Eleven shadow Councils were equipment, and in doing so helped to established in preparation for the Musculoskeletal Disorders promote consistency and good practice 2015/16 Local Authority restructuring in gas safety regulation. The group also during which HSENI and the new Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) was managed delivery of the Underground Councils remained firmly committed to made a joint working priority in 2014/15 MSD prevention guidance document Metallic LPG Pipework initiative. delivering on the joint strategy. with the rationale that almost one third of all absences from work in NI Around 800 HSENI and Council Other work The joint strategy entitled ‘Health and Councils are due to back and neck inspections focused on the issue of safety at work: protecting lives, not problems and the average duration of MSDs. Businesses were directed to a Carbon Monoxide Pilot stopping them’ which was launched by these absences is around two weeks. website www.hseni.gov.uk/msd where the Enterprise, Trade and Investment further information could be obtained. In order to gather information on Minister, Arlene Foster in February The campaign successfully raised Carbon Monoxide (CO) awareness 2011, defines 10 specific goals which awareness of the issue through a range Underground Metallic LPG within the rented accommodation act as a blueprint for joint working, of targeted activities. Press releases sector and to determine the level of planning and sharing of resources/ were developed and distributed by both Pipework initiative compliance with requirements for Gas expertise over the next decade and HSENI and the Councils with the strap- Certificates, a pilot study was devised beyond. The strategy underlines the line ‘Keeping every BODY moving well Prompted by the Lord Gill enquiry (2009) safety of underground metallic by a joint working group and delivered commitment of HSENI and the Councils at work’. A detailed guidance by a number of volunteering Councils. to achieve better efficiency and a more document on the Prevention and LPG pipework was made a joint working priority in 2014/15. The The survey was administered by effective co-ordinated approach to the Management of MSDs in the Workplace Council Home Safety Officers regulation of health and safety at work. was distributed directly to businesses initiative involved inspection of approximately 600 ‘at risk’ premises throughout 2014/15 and yielded during inspections. Ten seminars were important intelligence which will help The strategy is delivered through a delivered focusing on a range of with advice to dutyholders regarding appropriate piping arrangements from determine how best to move forward three-tiered approach to partnership sectors with approximately 600 with strategies for improving carbon working. Overseeing the partnership attendees. LPG tanks. Dutyholders were encouraged to seek further information monoxide awareness in District work is the Health and Safety Councils and HSENI. Executive/Local Authority Enforcement on the initiative website - www.hseni. Liaison Committee for Northern Ireland gov.uk/buriedlpgpipework. Inspections (HELANI), which meets three times per have involved both HSENI and Council year and has a strategic input into the enforced premises and due to the scale work of the partnership alongside of the project it is likely that inspection monitoring progress of joint working. activity will continue into 2015/16.

32 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 33 The results indicated that there is much Mental Wellbeing at Work organisations when assessing risks of work to do to raise awareness of CO Advisory Service (MWWAS) the mental wellbeing in their hazards to tenants, particularly in organisations. Guidance was updated relation to secondary heating During 2014/2015, the European to take into account the fact that appliances. A continued effort is also Agency for Safety and Health at Work organisations resist the word stress and required to raise awareness of (EU-OSHA) launched a new campaign prefer to talk about health and landlords, particularly in relation to gas for the effective management of health wellbeing which is a more positive safe certificates. and safety in the workplace. The concept. campaign was based on the premise Carbon Monoxide joint that ‘Healthy Workplaces Manage MWWAS also developed an Awareness Stress’ which is good for workers, Seminar to assist all Northern Ireland information booklet Carbon Monoxide poster good for business and good for society employers to use the Management Other work with District Councils as a whole. Standards to assess mental wellbeing included the design, print and Throughout 2014/15, all of the District risk in their workplace. To date there distribution of a joint Carbon Monoxide Council and HSENI staff involved in the As a result of the campaign HSENI have been three seminars and referrals booklet and poster. Ninety-thousand various joint working groups continued updated their ‘stress’ website (http:// by HSENI’s Principal Inspectors. The copies were printed and distributed via to work hard to consolidate a better www.hseni.gov.uk/..guidance/topics/ website has an online registration Councils to sales stockists and homes approach to health and safety stress.htm ), populating it with guidance service for attending the seminar. with solid fuel burning appliances. regulation. By using the joint strategy as that will assist both large and small a framework and by working together, it has facilitated better regulation for all concerned.

Extract from Carbon Monoxide Booklet

Janet Heath and Joanne Ireland from HSENI’s Mental Wellbeing at Work Advisory Service pictured promoting National Stress Awareness Day which centred on the theme ‘Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress’.

34 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 35 During 2014/15, HSENI continued to assessment – the focus groups. The list HSENI continues to represent DETI on A very successful BuildHealth seminar promote HSE’s Management Standards above details those Departments the Bamford Interdepartmental Senior was hosted by CAFRE at the and our associated resources on HSENI is currently assisting; there is Officials Group (IDSOG). Under the Greenmount campus in October 2014. mental wellbeing in the workplace further work with the Department of Bamford Action Plan 2012-2015, The industry keynote speaker gave an setting. HSENI has actively supported a Justice (DoJ) and the Department of HSENI’s key role is to deliver specialist excellent presentation on behavioural number of organisations implementing Employment and Learning (DEL) work-related stress advice and, where safety. For details of the BuildHealth the Management Standards, including: planned for later in 2015. necessary, enforcement in high risk initiative and events please visit the work sectors and to reduce stress- BuildHealth website at www. • Little Orchids Children’s Centre HSENI also has agreements with the related ill health and associated buildhealthni.com . HSENI continues to (Charity); South Western Regional College and absenteeism and increase productivity. work with the NI Civil Service’s Central the Northern Regional College to assist Procurement Directorate to incorporate • Magee Dental Care (Private Industry); them with mental wellbeing risk BuildHealth health at all stages of public contracts. • Interface Europe (Private Industry); assessments, which is a breakthrough • Centre for Health and Wellbeing into the education sector. The BuildHealth initiative continues to (Charity); build on a successful past with three HSENI’s Workplace Health team new companies joining in 2014/15. It is • Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports facilitated five workshops and seminars very encouraging to see the industry Association (Central Govt.); in liaison with the Labour Relations being proactive to improve the health of • Departmental Solicitors Office Agency and has also conducted the workforce and especially (Central Govt.); presentations to organisations including encouraging to see the mentoring role the NI Voluntary Grammar Schools carried out by the larger companies • Probation Board Northern Ireland (Central Govt.); Bursar Association, the Northern with their sub-contractors. Regional College, Mind Your Business, • Department of Enterprise, Trade and NIPSA Annual Conference, BuildHealth Investment (Central Govt.); Annual Conference and the University Gerald Corcoran of Advanced Concrete and Formwork Ltd receiving the 2014 BuildHealth • Youth Justice Agency (Central Govt.); of Ulster at Jordanstown. and Sub Contractors Award from HSENI’s Chief The Workplace Health team has had Executive Keith Morrison. • Department of Agriculture and Rural ongoing liaison with HSE(GB) regarding Development (Central Govt.). the new benchmarking tool for the Asbestos Management Standards. This new HSENI has a representative on the benchmarking tool has proven effective HSENI continues to exercise its cross Departmental Human Resources in providing more in depth statistical function as a licensing authority and (DHR) working group. Each material for completing a report for any has renewed licenses to several Government Department received its client. There has also been contact with contractors to work with asbestos for NISRA Stress Report in December and sharing of data with the Health and terms between 1-3 years. A very 2014, all of which had been analysed Safety Authority in the Republic of New members McAleer & Teague Ltd and successful seminar was held in Antrim by HSENI. HSENI have since been Ireland. The two teams continue to Heron Bros. Ltd sign up to support the targeting licensed contractors and approached by a number of the liaise and exchange data on a regular BuildHealth Initiative at the BuildHealth Annual providing an up-date on all aspects of Departments to carry out the second basis. Conference . working with asbestos. stage of the mental wellbeing risk

36 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 37 The seminar was attended by Respirable crystalline silica can cause Employment Medical The OHN undertook four speaking approximately 160 delegates. debilitating respiratory disease and has Advisory Service engagements – two for HSENI Asbestos is routinely discussed at site been identified by the World Health organised events (BuildHealth and the visits and during seminars. Organisation (WHO) as a carcinogen. HSENI’s Employment Medical Advisory Waste Industry), one for Belfast City Service (EMAS) through its Occupational Council for the hairdressing industry Scientific Services Engineering also accounted for a Health Nurse (OHN) provides timely and one for a private company on significant proportion of the effort. medical advice, both externally to many health surveillance. The OHN has also In 2014, Scientific Services celebrated Investigations ranged from the work organisations and internally to assisted both employers and third party 30 years of third party accreditation, by examination of failed scaffold boards to HSENI Inspectors, on all aspects of organisations with advice and guidance UKAS to ISO17025 – the international input into a publication on non- health and work including health risk on health risk assessments, a vital part standard for laboratories. Accreditation integrated working platforms. For the management, statutory health of ensuring good health at work. covers asbestos and occupational most part, the scaffold boards surveillance, attendance management hygiene work. examined met the criteria of and rehabilitation, occupational health In November 2014, the OHN acceptability in the appropriate support and workplace health represented HSENI at a biannual Visits to demolition or refurbishment standard. Failure in each case was promotion. Its outputs are aligned meeting of the First Aid Awarding sites turned up several serious attributed to wet rot having degraded with HSENI’s commitment to raise the Organisation Forum held in Huntington. examples of poor work by contractors the physical integrity of the boards profile of work-related ill health. Also in November 2014, the OHN along which resulted in potentially very leading to failure under load. This with an Inspector from the Construction significant exposures to asbestos fibres pointed to poor practice in the storage Specific areas of work which EMAS Team attended a Workshop on for the workers involved and also in and inspection of boards. addresses include standards for Occupational Health Surveillance held extensive contamination of premises statutory health surveillance, health at the Health and Safety Laboratory and plant. Exposure to respirable Scientific Services have identified a records and other work-related health in Buxton. asbestos fibres can result in fatal number of areas where poor reports by matters such as aspects of the disease many years later. Once plant consultants have left clients with Disability Discrimination Act, sickness Under the RIDDOR Regulations, HSENI or machinery has been contaminated inadequate information to carry out absence management and mental initially received 20 reports of diseases, with fine asbestos fibres, the their responsibilities. These include wellbeing at work. seven of which were later confirmed as decontamination process becomes a asbestos surveys, the thorough non-reportable. Within the reportable major problem – an expensive one with examination and testing of local During the year, the OHN conducted five category there were: nine cases of high associated costs and downtime exhaust ventilation and the assessment workplace visits covering issues such hand-arm vibration syndrome (one of on the plant. of employee exposure to hazardous as first-aid at work approvals and the which is still to be confirmed), one case substances. In addition to questioning adequacy of the controls in place to of carpal tunnel syndrome, two cases Several investigations into silica the competence of some providers, manage workplace risks to health. Visits of occupational dermatitis and one exposure during the use of power tools reviews have highlighted the need for to workplaces provided opportunities to case of traumatic inflammation of the in refurbishment projects were carried clients to understand their own highlight the importance of leadership tendons. These 13 cases came from out. These demonstrated the need for requirements and to specify clearly and employee engagement in health nine different employers. a high level of control to maintain what they want from a report. and safety management. exposures below the stringent workplace exposure limit (WEL) for respirable crystalline silica, not only for the operator, but also for anyone else working in the vicinity.

38 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 39 First Aid at Work Appointed Doctors Table 1

Sixty-two organisations are currently HSENI appoints doctors under the Number of workplaces approved by HSENI to provide first aid Regulations below at the request of Number of to which regulations Regulations at work training. In the period 1 April employers. It also sets standards for examinations 2014/15 applied from April 2014 to 31 March 2015, two their qualifications and for the conduct 2014 to March 2015 organisations gained HSENI approval of the specific assessments and for the first time, five companies examinations. All doctors are the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 16 12 (NI) 2003 withdrew and seven organisations were subject of periodic review. In 2014/15, reapproved. A total of 1,508 courses eight Northern Ireland doctors had their (first aid at work, refresher and appointments extended and one doctor Control of Asbestos Regulations (NI) 25 135 2012 emergency first aid at work) were tendered his resignation. One GB (Returns for NI-based ADs only) notified to HSENI. During 2014/15, appointed doctor under the Asbestos HSENI conducted 15 monitoring visits regulations was reappointed. Control of Substances Hazardous to 22 1 Health Regulations (NI) 2003 to courses and examinations. During 2014/15, 10 appointed doctors Since January 2013, HSENI also based in Northern Ireland carried out Ionising Radiation Regulations (NI) 27 7 2000 recognised Ofqual-approved awarding 90 statutory medical examinations for organisations for the delivery of training 155 employers. Details of the in first aid at work subject to specified Regulations and the examinations are conditions. Fifteen organisations are contained in Table 1. currently approved with a total number HSENI Approved Medical of 81 affiliated training centres. During Examiners of Divers 2014, these Ofqual organisations issued a total of 1,156 first aid at work As described above for appointed certificates, 2,101 emergency first aid doctors, Approved Medical Examiners at work certificates and 12 first aid at of Divers are also appointed by HSENI. work refresher certificates under this HSENI has adopted the Guidance on arrangement. Fitness to Dive developed by the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain as its standard. These doctors are required to undertake specific training in diving medicine and to have this updated periodically. Standards are also set for the calibration of the equipment they use and all doctors are the subject of review by HSENI. In 2014/15, HSENI’s five Approved Medical Examiners of Divers conducted 156 ‘fitness to dive’ assessments.

40 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 41 Agriculture

The agriculture sector in Northern when he was struck by a tractor and Ireland employs approximately 48,000 bale lifter during a reversing people who work on 24,200 farms. The manoeuvre; average farm size in Northern Ireland is • A 74 year old retired construction 40.7ha (100 acres). The majority of worker was crushed by a tree trunk these farms are run as a family on a nearby farm as he was cutting it business and a sizeable proportion of up. The deceased was cutting off those involved have jobs outside the side branches, which were farm business. Approximately 55% of supporting the trunk when the trunk farmers are classified as being rolled over on top of him; employed full-time on their farm (figures taken from The Agriculture Census in • The body of a 71 year old farmer was Pictured at Streamvale Open Farm, Dundonald The new slurry mixing safety leaflet ‘Slurry Gas Northern Ireland – June 2014, found in an outside yard at his farm. at the Farm Safety Partnership’s new farm – Mixing Slurry Safely’was distributed during produced by DARD’s Policy and There were a number of suckler safety TV advert launch are UFU President Ian the slurry safety awareness drive. Marshall, DARD’s David Small, HSENI Economics Division). cows, calves and a bull in the yard. The injuries sustained by the farmer Chairman George Lucas, YFCU Chief Executive Two practical video guides were Michael Reid and HSENI’s Chief Executive Keith Tragically, during 2014/15 nine people were consistent with him being Morrison. produced using two farmers to tell of lost their lives in work-related attacked by the cattle; the consequences of serious accidents involving an unguarded power take off incidents on farms: • A 76 year old farmer was crushed Multi-media campaign between two tractors when one of shaft and an incident with a bull in • A 75 year old farmer died when he the tractors rolled backwards as he HSENI (co-sponsored by the which they were involved. The videos fell from a work platform when explained the cause of each accident, carrying out building work at his farm; was filling a fertiliser sower; and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) delivered a major multi- the consequences of the accident, • A 57 year old man died when he fell • A 23 year old man was found under media farm safety campaign during the what went wrong and the way to avoid the cover of a grass silo where he from a ladder inside a farm building a similar accident. while a skylight was being replaced. year. A new television advert was had been asphyxiated; produced highlighting the danger of BEFORE YOU OPERATE FARM • An 8 year old boy died as a result of failing to check when reversing farm VEHICLES, STOP AND THINK! Always check that windows and mirrors are clean and in Farm Safety Partnership machinery and the new advert was good condition. Make sure you can see clearly all round hydrogen sulphide poisoning during a the vehicle before every manoeuvre. launched at Streamvale Open Farm slurry mixing operation on a The organisations which make up the during March 2015. A new slurry mixing neighbour’s farm; Farm Safety Partnership continued to leaflet was also produced highlighting make a major contribution towards • A 72 year old farmer stumbled and the danger from hydrogen sulphide and raising awareness of the main health fell backwards striking his head on a reminding farmers of the need to follow and safety issues facing the farming static piece of farm machinery as he the code when mixing slurry. Over industry and ensured that important was trying to remove a bale of hay 45,000 copies of the new leaflet were messages and advice were distributed from a stack in a farm building. The For more advice on farm safety, distributed to the farming population as visit hseni.gov.uk/farmsafe across the industry. farmer died two days later in hospital an insert in one of the main farming due to injuries sustained in the newspapers. This visibility press advertisement was accident; published as part of the second phase of the Farm Safety Awareness Multi-Media campaign • An 81 year old farmer was killed which included new, TV, radio and press advertisements.

42 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 43 SAFE (Slurry Animals Falls During April, May and June 2014, Equipment) Advisory Visits HSENI visited 83 rural primary schools across Northern Ireland and delivered Staff from HSENI undertook 1,000 farm its farm safety programme to over 12,400 visits during the year. The purpose of foundation and key stages 1 & 2 pupils. these visits was to advise farmers on The safety topics covered continue the main safety issues on their farms to be those that children can readily and to raise standards across the identify with and include: the dangers industry. HSENI is pleased to note that of falling from tractors, being hit by falling the overall health and safety standards Students at Greenmount watch a PTO guarding objects, drowning, busy farmyards, appear to have improved compared to demonstration as part of the college’s Safety animals, riding on quads and playing the previous year. A PTO safety initiative Health and Awareness Day (SHAD). in safety. Each pupil received a farm was held during September 2014 – as safety pack including a certificate of part of this initiative farms were visited Child Safety of Farms personal achievement to add to their Pictured at the launch of two new child farm across Northern Ireland to ensure that portfolios. This was the fifth year of the safety DVDs is HSENI Chairman George Lucas PTO shafts being used on farms were Teams from HSENI’s Health and Safety programme and to date HSENI has together with pupils from Eglinton Primary School, Londonderry. correctly guarded. A number of farms Works NI along with staff from the reached 442 rural primary schools and which had been visited during the agri-food team undertook a great deal an estimated 48,660 pupils. The annual farm safety poster previous year were revisited and HSENI of important work during the year in competition continues to be embedded was encouraged to find that the relation to the safety of children on On 28 May 2014, George Lucas, within rural primary schools; 67 schools standards on PTO guarding were farms. HSENI Board Chairman, together with registered and over 3,300 entries from acceptable when these re-visits took Crosby Cleland, HSENI Board Member, pupils were received. As usual the place. The Ulster Farmers’ Union Throughout 2014/15, HSENI continued launched two new farm safety DVDs at standard of the drawings was excellent worked closely with machinery dealers to develop and deliver its ‘Be aware Eglinton Primary School, Londonderry. and the winning posters were used in across Northern Ireland to deliver a kids – Child Safety on Farms’ The ‘Dangerous Playgrounds’ DVD is the design of the ‘Avoid harm on the discount on new PTO guards sold programme, an integral part of the aimed at pupils aged 4-8 years and the farm’ 2015 farm safety calendar. during the initiative. A slurry mixing current Farm Safety Action Plan. The ‘Farm Safe’ DVD is aimed at pupils initiative was held in January and programme delivers a structured, clear aged 8-11. These DVDs were produced February 2015 to ensure that farmers and consistent message to the children to highlight the commonplace dangers followed a safe system of work when focusing on the main dangers and children may face living on, playing on mixing slurry. causes of accidents on farms. The or visiting a busy working farm. programme is linked to the NI curriculum under ‘Personal Development and Mutual Understanding -Strand 1 Personal Understanding and Health’.

44 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 45 Farm Safety Events The competition was won by the team Food manufacturing/ of young farmers from County Antrim. The Agri-food team held displays at the processing industry Balmoral Show in May and the Staff from the Agri-food team delivered A Health and Safety Workshop for the Fermanagh Show in August. The main over 50 presentations to a wide range Food and Drink Industry was delivered focus at the Balmoral Show were of audiences in relation to farm safety at at Loughry College during February practical demonstrations in relation to events across Northern Ireland 2015 - detailed information in relation to the safe operation of quads and the including farmers’ groups, college this workshop is contained within the correct operation of chainsaws. The students, pupils studying agriculture at report prepared by Health and Safety chainsaw demonstration was also GCSE level, veterinary groups and rural Works NI. delivered at the Fermanagh Show. All groups. The presentations were well the demonstrations were delivered by received and helped raise awareness of During the year, staff from the Agri-food very experienced instructors from the the main issues that cause serious and team undertook over 225 inspections farming and tree surgery industries fatal injuries within the industry. of food manufacturing and processing respectively. companies. These inspections focused In February 2015, HSENI held a Health on the main health and safety issues and Safety Awareness Day for over 200 including: safe maintenance, safe work students at Greenmount College. at height, the management of asbestos, Practical demonstrations by skilled machinery guarding, vehicle movement, instructors from the farming industry the training of operators and potential included safety in relation to: quad health issues relevant to the work being driving, work at height, livestock carried on at each company. handling, slurry mixing, manual handling, telescopic handler operation, tractor maintenance and PTO safety.

HSENI’s Quad bike demonstrations by HSENI Board Member and farmer Crosby Cleland drew large crowds at the 2014 Balmoral Show.

In conjunction with the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland held the final of the safe tractor driving Students at Greenmount watch a competition at the Balmoral Show. The demonstration as part of the college’s Safety top pair of highly skilled and competent Health and Awareness Day (SHAD). drivers from each county in Northern Ireland demonstrated their tractor driving skills on a demanding course.

46 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 47 Construction

HSENI’S construction Inspectors improving performance is absolutely Asbestos Throughout the year, HSENI staff have observed an increase in building activity clear. HSENI continues to raise the also continued to give presentations to in 2014/15 with previously closed profile of health during site visits. The HSENI continues to exercise its third level education students raising house building sites starting requirement for face fit testing for all function as a licensing authority and their awareness about health and safety construction again. Sadly, in 2014/15, tight fitting RPE has resulted in a vastly has renewed licenses to several issues they may face when they start there were five fatalities on construction increased awareness throughout the contractors to work with asbestos for working on construction sites. sites. This is a large increase on the industry. terms between 1-3 years. A very previous year (2013/14 – two fatalities) successful seminar was held in Antrim and it is of concern that 60% of the There have been a number of articles targeting licensed contractors and fatalities occurred during roof work. placed in relevant media publications, providing an up-date on all aspects of Zero fatalities, as was achieved in 2009, including: working with asbestos. The seminar has to be the industry objective as even was attended by approximately 160 one death is one too many. • Manual handling delegates. Asbestos is routinely • Safe lifting operations discussed at site visits and during From analysis of the major injury seminars. • Asbestos and accidents in construction, the main cause of major injuries is falls from • Safe roof work. Other promotional activities height and this has not changed from previous years. In 2014/15, 47% of BuildHealth HSENI continues to work in partnership major injuries came from either low with a number of key stakeholders in (under two metres) or high (over two The BuildHealth initiative continues to order to promote important health and metres) falls. It is the common build on a successful past with three safety messages to the construction experience of all construction new companies joining in 2014/15. It is industry. Such collaboration included: Inspectors that some contractors and very encouraging to see the industry self-employed persons in this industry being proactive to improve the health of • cross border liaison with the Health still continue to take shortcuts which the workforce and especially and Safety Authority construction expose their workers and themselves to encouraging to see the mentoring role team avoidable and unacceptable risks. carried out by the larger companies • a joint seminar with the Association Reducing the number of injuries and with their sub-contractors. A very of Project Safety deaths, including those resulting from successful BuildHealth seminar was falls, in order to help prevent the hosted by CAFRE at the Greenmount • a joint seminar with the Federation of devastating effect these kinds of campus in October 2014. The industry Smaller Builders accidents have on the lives of workers keynote speaker gave an excellent • a joint seminar with the Royal Society and their families is a priority for HSENI. presentation on behavioural safety. For of Ulster Architects In 2014/15, 30% of the total number of details of the BuildHealth initiative and • seminars to small building Prohibition Notices served by HSENI events please visit the BuildHealth contractors targeted at the solar related to work at height activities. website at www.buildhealthni.com . HSENI continues to work with the NI panel industry Ill health in the construction industry Civil Service’s Central Procurement • membership of industry panels & also has a financial cost for all those Directorate to incorporate health into all forums such as ICE and ILP (at involved and the business case for stages of public contracts. University of Ulster).

48 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 49 Extractive Industries Group

The Extractive Industries Group has Inspectors continue to attend Mining Industry The drop in expenditure on road continued to work across a range of appropriate training and information maintenance for the coming year will diverse sectors, from traditional events in order to keep their knowledge The mining industry is expanding in result in job losses in the quarry industry. quarrying activities through to the up to date. HSENI is a member of the Northern Ireland. Omagh Minerals The export market has helped quarries complex issues around mining and Shale Gas Regulators’ Forum. Limited is at an advanced stage in in the greater Belfast area. Inspectors hydrocarbon exploration. Working with obtaining planning permission to have been busy encouraging the quarries develop a gold mine within the site of partners and other regulators, the Concrete Industry to improve machinery guarding standards. group has sought to improve standards the current open-cast gold mine. HSENI’s inspection priorities were in existing facilities and ensure that The Information Sheets that were Dalradian Gold Limited has started shared with the Quarry Products safety is designed into new projects. produced as part of the detailed review work on an exploration gold mining Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) of health and safety standards within activity at the existing gold mine who attached guidance and passed it workings near Gortin. The salt mine at Exploration Drilling the pre-stress precast concrete to their members, so as to give their products industry in February 2013, Carrickfergus has almost completed a membership the tools to comply. A number of boreholes have been were revised in April 2014. The revised second adit into the mine. Inspections drilled during the past year. Some of documents were circulated to the have been carried out at these activities HSENI with the support of QPANI these were drilled searching for concrete industry and other interested with the support of HM Inspectors of organised a series of workshops held at platinum reserves and others were parties. Some follow-up inspections Mines (HSE GB). quarry premises targeting issues such drilled into salt horizons to verify the were carried out to ensure standards as geotechnical inspections of quarry depth of rock salt and to establish its were being maintained. The industry Abandoned Mines faces, identification of misfires and how suitability to create large underground and its representative body, the Quarry to deal with them safely, and machinery storage chambers to allow the storage Products Association, fully supported In Northern Ireland we have guarding for sand and gravel quarries. of compressed air generated by wind this work. HSENI was very appreciative approximately 2,000 abandoned mine These workshops were attended by energy. It is expected that some of this of the co-operation given by industry. workings. Responsibility for these quarry foremen and machine operators. work will continue into the next financial The revised Information Sheets were abandoned mine workings rests with The industry reacted very positively and year. Exploration boreholes were drilled shared with the British Precast Flooring the Department of Enterprise, Trade requested additional workshops. It was looking for gold reserves in County Federation (BPFF), which has and Investment which has set up the initially planned to have four workshops Armagh. To date, all the drilling incorporated the information into its Northern Ireland Mines Oversight but demand resulted in 10 workshops operations have been carried out to a recently published code of practice. It Committee. HSENI provides technical being delivered to approximately 150 high standard with no major concerns. is widely accepted that the Northern support to this working committee. delegates. HSENI has received a notification for an Ireland pre-stress precast concrete During 2014/15, there was one exploration borehole into salt horizons products industry has set very high collapse of an abandoned mine A Cross Border Extractive Industries similar to the above except, instead of health and safety standards and is well workings in the Portrush area - no one seminar was held on 19 November 2014 compressed air, the plan is to store above that achieved elsewhere in the was injured as a result. and was very well attended. This event compressed gas. A second notification UK. Inspection activities continue to be was organised by the Health and Safety was received for an exploration carried out in the other sectors of the Quarry industry Authority (HSA) and HSENI, supported borehole for hydrocarbons to be drilled concrete industry. by a number of industry partners: Irish in Co. Antrim. A stratigraphic borehole Last year it was reported that the hard Concrete Federation, Irish Mines and was to be drilled in County Fermanagh rock and sand and gravel quarries were Quarrying Society, Institute of Quarrying, but due to issues around planning impacted upon by the drop in economic Services Industrial Professional and permission and licensing, this operation activity particularly in the western Technical Union and QPANI. did not proceed. counties, and this is still the situation.

50 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 51 General Manufacturing

HSA and HSENI held two Cross Border During the period, inspections have On 1 April 2014, the Compliance Group Unfortunately, there was one work- meetings to discuss standards within been carried out on welding operations which covered Manufacturing and related fatality in the manufacturing the Extractive Industries and share using explosives and boiler cleaning Agriculture was split into two groups, sector during 2014/15. In March 2015, statistics etc. operations involving the use of Manufacturing and Agriculture & Food an employee died as a result of explosives. (Agri/Food). The manufacturing sector becoming trapped in a conveyor Explosives & Fireworks includes companies that manufacture system at a coal processing plant in Planning Consultations or process a wide range of products. Belfast Docks. HSENI continues to assist the These range from manufacturing wood Department of Justice exercise its HSENI provided a consultation service based products, plastics, rubber, The high volume of work impacted on responsibility as the enforcing authority to the DOE Planning Service and over electronics, light and heavy engineering, two areas of planned work and resulted for explosives. Over the period of this the period approximately 25 aerospace, vehicles, through to in these being postponed, i.e. work- report four misfire incidents occurred in consultations were processed. The pharmaceuticals and glass as well as related health issues in the the quarry industry. These incidents change in Local Government repair and maintenance. This sector manufacturing sector, and the were investigated but no particular responsibilities will result in HSENI employs around 72,500 people on a full Recognising Excellence Programme trend emerged. liaising with the 11 Local Authorities in and part-time basis [Source: Northern (REP). Although health issues were the future in relation to planning. Ireland Quarterly Employment Survey considered and discussed during HSENI carries out assessments of shot (QES) Statistical Bulletin – published inspections and directly with key firers and advises the Department of Work in other Industry March 2015]. partner companies, it was not possible Justice on the competency of shot to progress activities in partnership with firers who have applied for a Shot Sectors Due to the large number of businesses the working group as planned. As part within the remit of the group, priority of the REP, it had been planned to Firer’s License. Inspectors in the Extractive Industries was given to our core business activity undertake a re-audit of one of the Group carried out approximately 80 of inspection and the investigation of participating companies but again this HSENI Inspectors have also been farm inspections as part of the initiative complaints and incidents. Inspections was postponed due in part to examining shot firing rules in quarries to improve guarding standards on PTO and investigations again focused on resources within the group and also and, where appropriate, encouraging shafts used on agricultural machinery. management to have these updated. workplace transport, operator training, due to management changes within the the operation and maintenance of proposed company itself. It is intended HSENI carried out 48 site risk forklift trucks, lifting and slinging to revisit these two important areas in assessments of District Council funded operations, slips and trips, machinery 2015/16. or organised fireworks displays and guarding, the control of contractors and provided reports on each site to the health issues including noise, fumes Product Safety – Supply and manual handling. Department of Justice. of Machinery HSENI provided assistance to Worksafe Inspectors continued to highlight the The Health and Safety at Work Order New Zealand in developing a safe key issues associated with safe work at 1978 and EU Regulation (EC) No resolution to a very dangerous misfire in height, the isolation of machinery and 765/2008 provides the legal framework a quarry outside Wellington. equipment prior to maintenance or for HSENI’s responsibilities in relation cleaning and the management of to product safety which includes asbestos. market surveillance.

52 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 53 Health, Social Care and Education

EU Market Surveillance helps to protect The health and social care and education significant change in the patient’s both those NI manufacturers who sectors are two of the biggest public condition. There have also been cases competently design equipment and service employers in Northern Ireland. of fall prevention control measures not machinery in compliance with EU They include charitable organisations being implemented after being requirements and the end user from that provide care and educational identified in the assessment and the unsafe machinery products. support within the community and a results of these assessments not being large private sector consisting of provided to staff in other wards/ During the year, working relationships nursing homes and independent carers. premises during patient transfers. continued to be developed with the Staff can be employed on a full or Product Safety Unit in HSE GB, the part-time basis and by the nature of the In the past there had been some Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in the work can involve interaction with a high misunderstanding as to the range of Republic of Ireland, the Department of number of service users and members accidents that should be reported Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), of the public. under RIDDOR when they involve with Border Force within Northern members of the public who are Ireland and with the Single Point of The majority of the work carried out by patients, residents, service users or Contact (SPOC) for product safety group Inspectors has been of a reactive visitors. HSENI has continued to raise across the UK. These relationships are nature, responding to requests for awareness of this fact and provide essential for the effective investigation advice and investigating complaints guidance to the Health Trusts on the of Product Safety cases at the point of and incidents. During 2014/15, there selection criteria for reporting patient entry into Northern Ireland. were also a number of proactive incidents. initiatives designed to target high risk Cases of non-compliant and unsafe areas across a number of sectors, most Vertical Sanding Machines machinery involving local and EU notably the management of asbestos in manufacturers and importers, arising non-controlled schools and the control operated in Educational and from complaints, inspections at Trade of legionella in cooling towers and Similar Establishments Shows and notifications from other evaporative condensers. European Market Surveillance In February 2015, awareness was raised using HSENI’s website on the Authorities, continue to be investigated Prevention of falls in as appropriate. need to review existing risk Healthcare assessments and control measures for sanding machines operated in There continues to be strong evidence Throughout the year, enquiries and of non-compliant machinery and goods educational and similar establishments. investigations into patient falls within British Standard BS 4143:2014 ‘Health being imported into Northern Ireland the healthcare sector identified a from the Far East and in particular from and safety for design and technology in number of common areas where educational and similar establishments China. This issue will require further failures can occur in relation to patient work during 2015/16 to ensure – code of practice’ advises that safety. These have included fall and adjustable guarding should be provided Importers are aware of their bedrail risk assessments not being responsibilities in this area. for the abrasive belt on sanding completed within a reasonable time machines so that only the minimum after a patient has been admitted or required for the sanding operation is reviewed and updated as a result of a exposed.

54 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 55 BS 4163:2014 is not a legal Workplace Transport in Legionella This work will be continued in the requirement but it does provide one Schools Premises coming year with additional HSENI means of demonstrating that Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially Inspectors gaining valuable experience reasonably practicable steps have been In March 2015, the importance of fatal pneumonia caused by legionella by accompanying the specialist taken to minimise risks from the pedestrian segregation and the risks bacteria. Infection is caused by Inspectors to premises that are to be machinery, equipment processes and involved during workplace transport in breathing in small droplets of water inspected. materials used. Dutyholders within and around school premises was raised contaminated by the bacteria. Legionella bacteria are common in these establishments are now being through the Education and Library Boards Control of Asbestos asked to either fit an adjustable guard and the Department of Education NI. natural water courses such as rivers to the abrasive belt or record in the risk Scheduling deliveries and waste and ponds and may contaminate and Any building constructed before the assessment how they are minimising collections for a quieter time and where grow in other water systems such as year 2000 may have had asbestos the risk by other equally effective possible removing the need for vehicles cooling towers and hot and cold water containing materials (ACMs) used in its means. to reverse were highlighted as effective services. They can survive low construction. From 2009, HSENI ways to help ensure pedestrians and temperatures and thrive at undertook a three-year campaign to temperatures between 20-45°C if a Hoists and Lifting vehicles can circulate in a safe manner. highlight the duties placed on A workplace transport risk assessment supply of nutrients is present such as dutyholders to manage asbestos and Accessories used in should be completed for each school rust, sludge, scale, algae and other comply with legislation. Over the years Educational Premises site and any necessary control bacteria. They are killed by high the effective and safe management of measures identified and implemented. temperatures. During the year, asbestos in health and educational All lifting equipment and associated specialist Inspectors continued the premises has been high on the agenda accessories used for lifting and moving inspection programme aimed at of HSENI’s Health, Social Care and people must undergo a thorough MSDs in the Independent industrial premises operating wet Education Group. During 2014/15, the examination and inspection at least Care Sector cooling systems such as cooling towers group continued work to measure every six months to comply with and/or evaporative condensers. These compliance with the Control of Regulation 9 of The Lifting Operations Organisations within the independent inspections followed a pattern of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) and Lifting Equipment Regulations care sector undertake people handling reviewing risk assessments, written 2012 in non-controlled schools by (Northern Ireland) 1999. A range of tasks within the community setting schemes of control and statutory carrying out inspections, issuing such equipment is used in schools (service users home). As part of a wider record keeping before a physical check guidance and taking formal throughout Northern Ireland. During the MSD campaign, visits were conducted of the plant was completed. The enforcement action to ensure last year it was established that some to review the management systems in inspections were attended by the improvements were made in relation to equipment used in some special place to control the risk of MSDs company representatives, senior the school’s duty to manage asbestos. schools was not being included in the occurring whilst employees undertook management and responsible persons, Issues that were identified during these thorough examination scheme and as these handling activities. Control as well as a representative from the inspections included but were not such was not compliant with the measures that were identified as being water treatment company contracted to limited to, asbestos debris present, no Regulations. Appropriate steps were common across the sector included service and maintain the plant. asbestos management plans, no taken to make dutyholders aware of employees having access to a wide Emphasis was placed on the recent asbestos surveys or registers available their duties in relation to this matter and range of lifting equipment and review of the Approved Code of for inspection, asbestos surveys or Inspectors will focus on checking for accessories, manual handling training Practice L8 and introduction of the registers that were out of date and no compliance during future school visits on induction and refresher courses, revised guidance for control of clear roles or responsibilities in the and inspections. as well as access to occupational legionella HSG 274 Parts 1-3. health services. management of asbestos at the school.

56 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 57 Major Hazards and Gas Safety

Formal enforcement action was taken Within Northern Ireland, work remains HSENI’s Major Hazards Group is Major Hazards by Inspectors on a number of at class 2 and below. During the year, involved in ensuring public and occasions and this important work in two applications were received in employee safety across a wide range of The NI Competent Authority for the the non-controlled and independent HSENI for new projects involving industries and activities including gas Seveso II Directive comprises the school sectors will continue into research into bacteria that cause transmission, gas distribution and use, Northern Ireland Environment Agency 2015/16. infections in patients with immuno- land use planning and sites subject to (NIEA) and HSENI, acting as a joint compromising conditions and the use the Control of Major Accident Hazards Competent Authority to deliver a Maintenance and modernisation work of recombinant lentivirus vectors to Regulations (COMAH). A wide range of programme of inspection and advice for within the health care sector is a prevent deleterious effects of advice was provided to local Councils those sites subject to COMAH, with 10 continual process. In older premises cardiovascular and vision-related and Government Departments in sites being categorised at higher risk built before 2000, managers and diseases in humans. relation to these areas. The Major (‘top tier’) and 14 sites as lower risk contractors must be aware of the risk Hazards Group continued to contribute (‘lower tier’). The majority of COMAH presented by the presence of asbestos Advice was given to dutyholders in to Carbon Monoxide awareness sites in Northern Ireland are subject to containing materials. It is vitally relation to a range of issues in order to including the use of social media and these regulations because they have important that the necessary steps are help them achieve compliance in participation in CO Awareness month in extensive oil and gas storage facilities. taken to manage the risk asbestos projects from both a GM and Advisory November 2014. Consequently, HSENI is closely involved creates by preparing and implementing Committee on Dangerous Pathogens with large-scale oil and gas storage proposals from design through to build. a suitable and sufficient Asbestos (ACDP) perspective. This advice Gas Safety Management Plan. Identifying ACMs, included how to carry out suitable and All sites are inspected by HSENI and monitoring and managing their sufficient risk assessments when In partnership with the District Councils NIEA (usually together), to determine condition and communicating working with biological agents and and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) compliance with the COMAH appropriate and timely information to information on the containment levels suppliers, a LPG underground pipe- Regulations. Agendas for inspection anyone involved in working with them is required based on the hazard group work initiative was delivered throughout and advisory visits are prepared based vitally important in reducing ill health in classification of the viral and/or bacterial the year and has been very successful on HSE’s COMAH enforcement the workplace and complying with the species, as well as general guidance on at raising awareness. Continued guidelines. Inspection reports are legislation. the management design and operation expansion of the natural gas networks completed outlining any necessary of microbiological containment led to further planned as well as improvement plans or enforcement actions. The risk management basis of Biological Agents laboratories. HSENI was also involved reactive visits and inspections within the in Specific Animal Pathogen Order natural gas transmission and each COMAH site is regularly reviewed. There are nine notified centres carrying (SAPO) inspections with Specialist distribution sectors of the industry to HSENI also has responsibility for out a wide range of work using Inspectors from the Biological Agents ensure compliance. In partnership with ensuring that emergency plans covering Genetically Modified Organisms Unit of HSE(GB) for a licence renewal the Gas Safe Register, proactive and off-site risks are prepared, tested and (GMO’s) in Northern Ireland. These GM and a SAPO licence for new work. reactive visits and inspections were reviewed for all ‘top-tier’ COMAH sites. centres are represented across private conducted in the downstream private HSENI is also involved in onsite industry, academic institutions and industrial and commercial sectors with emergency plan preparation and testing government research bodies. The GM enforcement action being pursued as for ‘lower-tier’ sites. HSENI is working work within these centres is regulated necessary. closely with HSE on the application of under the Genetically Modified the new Seveso lll Directive, to be Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations implemented through new COMAH (Northern Ireland) 2001. Regulations to be made in 2015.

58 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 59 Major Investigation Team

Land Use Planning The Major Investigation Team (MIT) MIT has continued to work closely with has completed its seventh year of other enforcement agencies and during HSENI is a statutory consultee to operation. It continues to investigate 2014/15 has undertaken five joint Planning Service on developments in the most serious incidents where there investigations with the PSNI. In 2014/15, the vicinity of COMAH sites, gas is a possibility of legal proceedings. MIT working jointly with the PSNI brought transmission pipelines and other a successful manslaughter prosecution. significant hazards. This is to ensure During 2014/15, MIT has taken on In January 2015, a case of Corporate that members of the public (in particular investigations into 19 incidents Manslaughter was brought against A vulnerable groups), who work or live (including eight fatalities). Of these, four Diamond & Son Timber Limited following near such hazardous installations are are either being considered by the a fatal incident which occurred in not subjected to an unacceptable level Public Prosecution Service for Northern December 2012, when an employee of risk. In total, the Major Hazards Ireland (PPSSNI) or are going through carrying out a repair was crushed by Group advised on 100 such statutory the Court process, 12 continue to be moving parts of an automated sawing consultations during the year. With the investigated and three were not machine. Power to the machine had introduction of the 11 new Councils on recommended for prosecution. In not been disconnected and during the 1 April 2015, arrangements will be put addition, the team carried forward 14 work the machine moved, crushing and in place to establish partnerships in the cases from the previous years. Of these fatally injuring the employee. The implementation of planning referrals 14 cases, seven have resulted in investigation found that the repair could during the 2015/16 financial year. prosecution, six are either being have been carried out safely and easily considered by the PPSNI or are going whilst the machine was isolated from Dangerous Substances and through the Court process and one all sources of power. The company was Explosive Atmospheres case continues to be investigated. fined £75,000 (plus £13,194 costs). Since many of the risks from gas In total, MIT submitted eight cases to Of the 19 new cases investigated by installations and COMAH sites arise the Public Prosecution Service between MIT, 17 fall into the categories of falls from fire and explosion events, this 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2015. Also, from height, exposure to asbestos, specialist interest underpins a large part during the same period, there were a work with equipment and workplace of the work of the group. An interest in total of seven prosecutions completed. transport. These are areas which HSENI assessing the use of new technology to The total amount of fines arising out of continues to focus on through advertising fuel biomass industrial boilers has led to these cases was £129,500. The total campaigns, seminars to the relevant advice being provided on the fire and amount of costs awarded was £20,4712. industries and general inspections. explosion risks from such large-scale In addition to prosecutions for safety- solid fuel boilers as well as ongoing related matters, HSENI also brought In addition, following all prosecutions, advice on the risks from burning, three successful prosecutions for HSENI released a press statement and storage and use of all flammable/ health- related matters, specifically two made personnel available for media explosive materials in all sorts of cases of exposure to asbestos and one interviews in order to highlight to the appliances. case of exposure to lead which resulted different industries the failings leading to in an employee suffering from lead the incidents and as a means of poisoning. Details of all prosecutions signposting them to sources of completed during 2014/15 are set out information and advice on how to work in Appendix 3 to this report. safely and ultimately avoid prosecution.

2 Costs associated with prosecution only – HSENI is unable to claim for investigation costs

60 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 61 Public Sector

The remit of HSENI’s Public Sector This has helped ensure improvements Waste Industry The awards scheme recognises health Group covers local Councils, Central in health and safety management. and safety excellence and best practice Government and Government The Northern Ireland waste sector together with a willingness to engage Agencies, disciplined services, as well The work of the Local Authority Safety continues to grow. Unfortunately, the with other businesses and share their as diverse specialist areas including Advisers Network (LASAN) continued in sector also has been the source of fatal story in order to assist in improving noise, vibration, fairgrounds and the 2014/15 and the group was able to accidents and numerous major injuries. standards within the industry. supply of chemicals. The majority of provide members with advice, guidance To tackle these issues, HSENI set up a these areas have faced challenging and information. This informal group single point of contact within the Public Three new organisations and two financial constraints which may in time has proved an effective way of Sector Group to cover the entire waste returning Ambassadors within Northern impact on their ability to support the disseminating health and safety sector, from collection to disposal. A Ireland’s waste industry were recognised health and safety of their employees. information. strategic approach, summarised as with the WISHNI Ambassador Award ‘sell, tell and compel’ was set out at the for demonstrating best practice. start of the year. Target areas for Local Councils Disciplined Services inspection were established in year and Joint working with WISHNI HSENI’s Public Sector Group continued These services comprise the Police publicised to the industry. Despite this, to conduct a planned series of inspections, Service of Northern Ireland, the and an extensive awareness campaign, HSENI and members of WISHNI, visits and investigations at local authority Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue proportionate enforcement action was supported by local businesses, held a premises. High priority areas were Service, the Northern Ireland Prison required frequently to ensure employee very successful Safety and Health identified and communicated to the Service and the Ministry of Defence. safety. Awareness Day at the premises of Councils. These topics were fire, legionella The group has continued to provide McCreath Taylor, Lisburn on 26 control, refuse collection, workplace these organisations with advice and Waste Industry Safety and February 2014. Topics covered transport, maintenance activities and guidance as well as conducting Health Forum (WISHNI) included: vehicle all round visibility, work at heights mainly in civic amenity inspections of premises and systems of conveyor safety, fork lift truck daily sites, council depots and leisure centres. work. This year saw HSENI complete The Waste Industry Safety and Health inspection, working safely with bin lifting Where poor compliance was observed, some particularly complex technical Forum, known as WISHNI has been in gear, delivering in-house training/ train proportionate enforcement was taken. investigations. Lessons learned will operation for three years and is now the trainer, and working at height. The Concerns noted during the year led to benefit employees in these starting to grow and the benefits of event was endorsed by the Minister for further work being taken forward by organisations in the future. knowledge sharing are starting to Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Councils on manual handling during materialise. This partnership of Arlene Foster, who said, “As Northern funerals. The maintenance of officer safety within industry, Local Government and Central Ireland’s waste and recycling industry the prison regime has been a particular Government meets every two/three continues to grow, it is vital that Work continued in order to prepare for challenge this year. While investigations months with the aims of driving down workers’ safety is at the fore.” the change to 11 Councils which took are continuing on specific areas, guidance accident rates in the waste industry and place on 1 April 2015. To ensure health on dealing with both safety and health sharing best practice. This year saw the and safety priorities remained high on issues, including for example workplace second WISHNI Ambassadors Awards the agenda for senior managers, HSENI transport and the control of legionella, presentation take place at the staff met with the Chief Executives of was provided through regular meetings Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick on 19 the new Councils and continued to with the Department of Justice, the March 2015. meet elected members and the senior Northern Ireland Prison Service and the management teams of a number of Prison Officers’ Association. Councils throughout the year.

62 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 63 Advice was provided to senior Site inspection of selected chemical managers on health and safety matters users and complaint investigation has and assistance given to premises officers formed the bulk of activity. Advice to a and safety advisers on discharging their diverse range of industries has been responsibilities for maintaining a healthy provided on compliance with the and safe working environment. REACH Regulations which aims to provide a high level of safety for both Also, in order to increase safety humans and the environment. The awareness, three seminars were group also prepared advice for industry conducted for safety representatives and the public on changes to the Pictured are HSENI’s Jim King, Peter Johnston in conjunction with NIC ICTU. classification, labelling and packaging (Director, McCreath Taylor Ltd), DETI Minister of dangerous substances. Arlene Foster and Professor Alan Woodside, Chair of WISHNI. Fairgrounds Noise and Vibration Travelling funfairs and fairgrounds are a Joint working with CIWM common part of the leisure scene in Members of the group continue to September 2014 saw another first for Northern Ireland. Many of these rides provide specialist advice on noise and the industry as the Chartered Institute involve powerful rotational forces, so vibration issues both to colleagues and for Waste Management (CIWM) joined the group has continued to emphasise employers as required. A small number forces with HSENI to present an award to all funfair operators the importance of hand-arm vibration cases have been recognising good practice in safety of pre-use inspection and non destructive reported to HSENI during the year and management systems at the Sustainable testing regimes when operating rides some of these were selected for Ireland awards presentation. Together with high structural loading. Electrical investigation. Assistance in the form of with the Ambassadors Awards, this safety has also been highlighted to the specialist advice has followed in relation formed the third strand of our campaign operators during visits. to the process of risk assessment and to tackle the high rate of injury within implementation of control measures. the waste sector. Safety of industrial chemicals Government Departments/ Staff in the public sector group provide Agencies specialist advice on industrial chemical The group conducted further visits safety and have continued to take part to higher risk government activities. in both the Registration, Evaluation, Particular emphasis was placed on Authorisation & restriction of Chemicals workplace transport, control of legionella, (REACH) UK Steering Committee and fire, lifts and safe maintenance during the Enforcement Liaison Group. A strong visits. partnership has been established with DOENI in order to provide joined- up advice and site visits to local businesses on REACH compliance.

64 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 65 Transport and Public Utilities

The Transport and Public Utilities Group (ULDs) and lower limb disorders (LLDs). ‘Driving at work Northern remit extends across all transport They account for significant numbers of Ireland - An Employer’s modes as well as a wide range of injuries/absenteeism in workplaces in service industries and peripatetic Northern Ireland. The group targeted Guide’ activities in occupations as diverse as the road haulage industry for inspection A new guide has been developed jointly telecommunications, renewable as manual handling is one of the top by HSENI and the DOE for employers energies, the provision of car parks and occupational health risks within this and employees to help them the delivery of parcels, mail and general industry. An article was also prepared understand their duties under health goods. Due to the nature and broad and published in NI’s freight transport and safety at work law for driving at scope of occupations and activities industry’s trade magazine (September/ work. The new e-booklet provides within the sector, interaction with many October 2014 edition) to publicise the practical guidance for those who drive of the stakeholders has occurred on a initiative and signpost industry to the for work and their managers, and will reactive basis only. It is difficult to judge extensive published guidance on the be relevant to many businesses, the total numbers employed within this issue. Inspections and investigations HSENI’s Chief Executive Keith Morrison is regardless of their size. As part of the pictured addressing delegates at the Freight diverse arena but it is estimated to be encouraged the use of the available DOE’s ‘Share the Road to Zero above 25,000. checklists to help identify gaps in Transport Association Northern Ireland Transport Manager Conference. Campaign’, the e-booklet highlights the arrangements for ensuring that the risk importance of the implementation of For the sea, rail and air modes of is effectively managed. Measures to During the period of this report, three simple but potentially life-saving transport, the group continues to make prevent or reduce MSDs do not tragically there have been three fatalities health and safety practices – use of the memoranda of necessarily cost a lot of money and can involving the transport industry which understanding that define roles and bring benefits to the business including: occurred at HSENI/Council enforced Safe driver responsibilities in areas where overlaps premises. Two involved vehicle occur, and provide relevant contact • Increased efficiency movement and one was the result of a Safe vehicle details for the other Government • Fewer days lost to sickness absence fall from a work vehicle. Such tragedies Agencies involved. These arrangements highlight the importance of managing Safe journey prevent duplication of effort and ensure • Reduced risk of litigation the risks associated with vehicle that appropriate information is • Lower insurance/compensation costs movements and prevention of falls from It provides a practical approach to exchanged and contacts made vehicles. In addition, investigation work managing the risks that employees, promptly when occasion demands. In • Increased worker morale and lower has been carried out across a very wide who drive as a part of their working addition, this group deals with electrical staff range of peripatetic activities which lives, may face and consideration of the and non-ionising radiation safety issues unfortunately included initial enquiries potential consequences for companies across all work sectors. HSENI gave a safety presentation at the Freight Transport Association’s into deaths involving falls that occurred who do not comply with their duties. Transport Manager Northern Ireland at workplaces. All bar one of these ‘Driving at work Northern Ireland - An General Transport Conference held on 3 March 2015 at were determined to be non-reportable. Employer’s Guide’ was officially Titanic Belfast. This provided an ideal launched on 20 January 2015 by The group contributed to the joint MSD opportunity to engage with a number of HSENI Chief Executive Keith Morrison, (Musculoskeletal Disorders) inspection key stakeholders and raise awareness with DOE Minister Mark H. Durkan and and enforcement initiative delivered in of the importance of managing both PSNI Chief Inspector Diane Pennington. partnership by HSENI and the 26 workplace transport and occupational District Councils. MSDs include back road risk. injuries, neck and upper limb disorders

66 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 67 provision of the requisite emergency The Transport Group has devised an equipment and adherence to tank inspection programme for this period testing and driver training requirements. and has conducted a number of site A continuing programme of inspections visits to ensure that issues highlighted is planned for 2015/16 to ensure that are being addressed. HSENI continued standards do not decline. to conduct level crossing inspections in conjunction with NIR, Transport NI and The group continues to deal with issues PSNI. The physical arrangements in around the use of defective fuel tankers terms of provision of appropriate (found to be operating in NI, GB and barriers, signage and vegetation control ROI). The Department for Transport has were examined. conducted an extensive programme of research into the structural integrity of The Department for Regional Launching the new e-booklet, ‘Driving at work road tankers which has informed the Development Northern Ireland (DRDNI) Northern Ireland - An Employer’s Guide’ are Competent Authorities and owners/ operates a licensing regime for heritage PSNI Chief Inspector Diane Pennington, HSENI operators on the problem. railways. HSENI undertakes to provide Chief Executive Keith Morrison and Authorisations have been issued in advice to the DRDNI with regard to this Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan. Great Britain and Northern Ireland to and carry out inspections. In the deal with the progressive withdrawal of reporting period there were three Carriage of Dangerous these tankers and regrettably there heritage railways that applied for a have been financial implications for the renewal of their licence. Goods by Road NI operators of the affected tankers. The legislation dealing with the carriage of dangerous goods (CDG) is the Railways Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) holds Regulations (NI) 2010 (as amended) a Safety Certificate and a Safety which, with some exceptions, requires Authorisation to enable them to dutyholders to comply with the operate a railway in NI. This statutory European Agreement concerning the permissioning regime applies uniformly International Carriage of Dangerous to railway operators and infrastructure Goods by Road, commonly known as managers throughout the European the ADR. Union. As part of this process, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) carries PSNI continue to conduct ‘road stop’ out an evaluation and lists issues in the operations with HSENI support safety management system of NIR for including, where necessary, follow-up further evaluation and inspection during inspections at dutyholders’ premises. the five-year lifespan of the Safety There has been a marked improvement Certificate and a Safety Authorisation. in awareness and compliance among CDG operators, particularly in the

68 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 69 Health and Safety at Work Legislation

One of the key objectives for HSENI is: Activity during the year “To ensure that an effective and up-to- date health and safety at work During the year, HSENI prepared two sets of Regulations, initiated 11 consultations, regulatory framework is maintained.” approved seven Codes of Practice for use in Northern Ireland and withdrew thirteen. Only one of the withdrawn Codes of Practice was not replaced by a revised, During 2014/15, HSENI continued to consolidated version. Details are below: - develop proposals for new legislation to control risks to the health and safety of Regulations prepared people at work and submitted these proposals to the Department of The Health and Safety (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014 No. 280) Enterprise, Trade and Investment The Employer’s Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015 No. 80) (DETI). This process also involved liaising with the DETI Minister and the Consultations initiated Enterprise, Trade and Investment Proposals for the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Repeals, Revocations and Amendments) Regulations Assembly Committee. (Northern Ireland) 2014 Proposals on revised Safety in Docks – Approved Code of Practice and Guidance HSENI aims to identify EU Directives or Proposals to Introduce Charges for the Assessment of Onshore Borehole Notifications GB proposals and secure Northern Proposals for the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 Ireland legislation within six months of Proposals in relation to three health and safety Approved Codes of Practice: The Management of Health and the equivalent GB Regulations. In Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Design Construction and Installation of Gas Service Pipes: Rider Operated addition, HSENI uses intelligence led Lift Trucks: Operator Training policy making to develop Northern Proposals on the implementation of Directive 2013/30/EU on the Safety of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations and Ireland Regulations which address local amending Directive 2004/35/EC hazards. Proposals for the replacement of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 Proposals for New COMAH Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 to Implement the Seveso III Directive 2012/18/ HSENI uses electronic media to publish EU on the Control of Major–Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances all the consultation documents that Proposals on five revised health and safety Approved Codes of Practice in relation to Diving at Work have been prepared. The HSENI Proposals in relation to two health and safety Approved Codes of Practice: 1) Unloading petrol from road website contains all consultations tankers and 2) The Compilation of safety data sheets undertaken. However, hard copies or Proposals on the Alignment of Health and Safety Regulations with the EU direct acting Classification, Labelling versions in more accessible formats are and Packaging Regulation available on request. Following evaluation of the responses from consultees, draft Regulations are submitted to DETI to be formally made.

HSENI also prepares and approves Guidance or Approved Codes of Practice to support the Regulations.

70 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 71 Administration

• as part of the Farm Safety Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance published Policy Development Partnership, continued with its multi- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (sixth edition) HSENI is aware that strategies must media farm safety campaign. The Health and Safety at Quarries (second edition) continuously evolve and develop with campaign, launched in 2012/13, runs Dangerous Substances and Explosives Atmospheres (second edition) changing circumstances and, therefore, under the banner of ‘Stop and Think Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare (second edition) HSENI will ensure that its strategies SAFE’, with SAFE representing the Managing and Working with Asbestos (second edition) continue to be effective and consistent four main dangers on farms – Slurry, Legionnaire Disease: The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems (fourth edition) with the broader Government policy Animals, Falls and Equipment. It framework and meet the needs of the Rider- operated Lift Trucks: Operator Training and Safe Use (third edition) aims to get farmers, including older local economy. farmers, to look at their behaviours Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance withdrawn and to adopt a safer approach to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (fifth edition) Equality working on their farms. It also Health and Safety at Quarries (first edition) encourages the involvement of those Dangerous Substances and Explosives Atmospheres (first edition) HSENI’s revised Equality Scheme, who can influence them – wives, Design of Plant, Equipment and Workplaces: Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres submitted to the Equality Commission daughters, sons, grandchildren and Storage of Dangerous Substances: Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres in May 2012, was approved by the other relatives and friends; Commission on 24 April 2013 and Control of Mitigation Measures: Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres • continued its work on its child safety signed by HSENI’s Chair and Chief Safe Maintenance, Repair and Cleaning Procedures: Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres on farms campaign, reaching some Executive on 9 July 2013. A copy of the 12,400 primary school children with Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare (first edition) revised Equality Scheme was its presentations delivering key Work with Materials Containing Asbestos (first edition) subsequently issued to all Section 75 messages for staying safe on the Management of Asbestos in Non-domestic premises (second edition) consultees on 31 October 2013. Legionnaire Disease: The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems (third edition) farm; Rider-operated Lift Trucks: Operator Training in Northern Ireland During 2014/15, HSENI: • continued with the child safety on Design, Construction and Installation of Gas Service Pipes (first edition) farms poster competition with entries • carried out equality screening from over 3,300 pupils from 67 exercises in respect of proposals for primary school. A 2015 calendar was 11 sets of Health and Safety produced from the winning entries Regulations/Approved Codes of and this was distributed to over Practice. None of these exercises 38,300 families of children attending identified any adverse or differential 424 rural primary schools in Northern impacts for section 75 groups and, in Ireland, providing key monthly year, none of the responses to any messages on how to avoid the subsequent consultation exercises dangers of working or playing on disagreed with these findings; the farm;

72 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 73 • participated in 11 rural ‘Bee Safe’ Human Resource Male Female • seek staff input through its staff events speaking to some 5,100 suggestion scheme and Continuous Board HSENI continues to manage its 7 (8) 2 (2) pupils from 231 schools on the three Members Improvement Team; key farm safety messages, namely business and improve performance Senior • encourage team working within an through effective staff deployment and 3 (3) 1 (1) tractors and other machinery, safety Managers open and participative management performance management. This has with animals and safe play on the culture; and farm; been achieved through efficient people Employees 58 (58) 68 (63) planning, active career management, • maintain good industrial relations and • launched two new farm safety DVDs: and facilitation of staff transfer for the The overall HSENI managing liaise regularly with Trade Union ‘Dangerous Playgrounds’ aimed at benefit of both the business and the attendance figure for 2014/15 was a representatives. pupils aged 4-8 years and ‘Farm individual concerned. HSENI maintains total of 1,042 (2013/14: 893) staff days Safe’ which is aimed at pupils aged a skilled and motivated workforce lost. This equates to 8.3 (2013/14: 7.9) 8-11. These DVDs were produced to 3 Human Rights created through a culture of career days per staff member during the year . highlight the commonplace dangers development and well managed The Human Rights Act 1998 came fully children may face living on, playing personal development plans. During 2014/15 HSENI Human into force on 2 October 2000 and on or visiting a busy working farm; Resources: provides additional focus and emphasis • provided several publications aimed HSENI staff complement is 131. As on the rights and freedoms of • attained IIP Bronze Award; specifically at providing information HSENI has Crown status, its employees individuals guaranteed under the on HSENI’s information services for are Civil Servants and enjoy Northern • continued to work towards IIP Good European Convention on Human migrant workers who do not have Ireland Civil Service terms and Practice in Health & Wellbeing Award; Rights. English as their first language. HSENI conditions of service. A significant • addressed key actions from has provided these publications, in number of our staff made use of the Wellbeing at Work staff survey; HSENI has provided Human Rights hard copy and on the web, in a flexible working hours and work life awareness training for all staff as well as number of ethnic minority languages; balance policies available throughout • delivered four Group briefing more specialist training for certain and the NICS. At 31 March 2015, there sessions; groups of staff and will continue to do were 28 staff working on part-time or • filled two posts; and so based on need. • continued to provide the pictorial partial retirement arrangements. Universal Safety Booklet, for high risk • facilitated staff away day at Crumlin work sectors, aimed at those who do Road Gaol in September 2014. Disabled Employees not have English as their first A breakdown at 31 March 2015 language or have difficulty in reading. showing the number of persons of each HSENI continues to: HSENI follows the NI Civil Service Code sex who were Board members, senior of Practice on the Employment of managers and employees of HSENI, is • create an inclusive, safe and healthy Disabled People and aims to ensure shown below. Figures for the previous working environment for all staff; that disablement is not a bar to year are shown in brackets. • actively pursue fairness and equality; recruitment or advancement.

• remain committed to Investors In People;

3 Figures for staff days lost and days sickness absence per staff member are sourced from NISRA who have advised that the figures are provisional and should not be quoted as official absence rates. Final figures not expected until September 2015.

74 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 75 Health and Safety within Service First - Key Customer Data Security • adopting a strategic approach to risk management; HSENI Standards In July 2010, HSENI produced an • keeping its performance Information Security Policy which sets HSENI’s Corporate Plan for 2011 to HSENI endeavours to operate at all measurement mechanisms under out the arrangements for managing 2015 sets out its commitment to create times to its Service First standards review; an inclusive, safe and healthy working as set out in HSENI’s Customer Care personal and corporate data environment for all staff. To underscore Charter and which are reproduced appropriately and securely. Other IT • following DFP’s Central Procurement this commitment, health, safety and below: security related documents and specific Directorate’s guidelines for welfare at work is a standing item on policy documents, such as HSENI’s procurement and using their services the agenda at the formal all Senior • identify ourselves by name on the data protection policy, are now wherever possible; telephone and in letters; incorporated electronically within the Management Team and Board meetings. • keeping administrative costs to a new Information Security Policy, the • field staff will carry identification; minimum; and benefit of this being that the revision of Quality of Service • meet personal callers, with or without this ‘umbrella’ document ensures that • recovering costs where appropriate. an appointment, within five minutes all other related policies are reviewed in In order to support its key objectives of arrival; and targets, HSENI: line with it. Employee Involvement • provide a response to an enquiry • operates in a consistent and co- within 10 working days; HSENI’s Internal Auditors carried out a HSENI is committed to the ordinated manner in the appliance of review of the controls in place to development and involvement of • treat in confidence information that Service First principles; manage information security in July employees in decision making HSENI receives unless it is required 2014 and a substantial assurance was processes, and this is evident from • treats all its customers in an open, to disclose that information for legal results in a Staff Attitude Survey when fair and impartial way; received with regard to this. reasons; the organisation achieved the highest • puts things right if they go wrong and • respond to requests for leaflets within The security of information is specifically employee engagement score across explains how to complain if five working days; and addressed in HSENI’s Risk Register the NICS. Staff opinions and views are dissatisfied; sought as part of the planning • ensure that complaints are dealt with and HSENI is represented at quarterly processes, for example, as part of the • ensures that suppliers are paid quickly and effectively. Information Security meetings held promptly in line with Better Payment between DETI and its NDPBs. annual operational plan as well as at Practice; events such as the staff away day at Service Complaints Crumlin Road Gaol in September 2014. • maintains good industrial relations Efficiency and Value The Senior Management Team also The Head of HSENI’s Services Division and liaises regularly with Trade Union for Money encourages consultation and exchange is responsible for ensuring that representatives; of information within HSENI. In complaints are dealt with quickly and In order to ensure that the public addition, a system of team briefing • has an independent customer effectively. During the year there were resources allocated to it are used to provides the framework for managers satisfaction survey carried out within five formal complaints received about best effect, HSENI is committed to: to update staff on a monthly basis on the lifetime of its Corporate Plan; and the service provided by HSENI. Each of • regularly monitoring performance; Board decisions, organisational topics • exploits the benefits of information these complaints was dealt with in and issues. technology in the delivery of its accordance with HSENI’s published • conducting Internal Audits of its service. complaints procedure. operating systems;

76 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 77 Other channels to maximise staff These principles should apply both to However, our existing Inspectors also involvement include appraisal, SHINE enforcement in particular cases and to avail of a range of training courses newsletter, SharePoint Intranet, briefing the health and safety enforcing to ensure they receive the same sessions, working groups such as the authorities’ management of professional development opportunities Continuous Improvement Team and the enforcement activities as a whole. as their GB counterparts in a wide informal breakfast events. HSENI range of disciplines, for example: recognises the importance of good Organisational Development • industrial relations and is committed to Managing work-related stress at an organisational and individual level; effective employee relations and HSENI remains committed to the communications. Regular meetings are learning and development of its people. • Enhancing operational efficiency held with representatives of Trade HSENI places a high priority on staff through worker wellbeing; and Unions under the Whitley framework. training and development in order to • Upper limb disorder risk assessment HSENI has held its Investors in People enhance staff skills for the achievement of repetitive tasks. award since 1998, and in 2014 was of our business objectives and to successful in achieving the next stage improve job satisfaction. We are Also included in the total training of accreditation, the Bronze Award. committed to achieving business figure is £13,909, which was spent This was a much more challenging excellence through continuous with the NICS training provider, the award which required us to meet an improvement and this is demonstrated Centre for Applied Learning. Staff additional 26 evidence requirements. through the successful upgrading of took part in a range of courses which, Work to achieve the IIP Health and our Investors in People accreditation to for example, included training on: Wellbeing Award continues. Bronze Award in May 2014. • Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM); Enforcement Guidelines HSENI undertook a comprehensive range of learning and development • Management of Sick Absence; HSENI’s Enforcement Guidelines activities for staff in accordance with its • Personal Safety at work; enshrine the principles contained in the Learning and Development Plan • Diversity; Regulators’ Code produced by the 2014/15. This amounted to £93,109 Better Regulation Delivery Office of the and 1,125 training days spent on • Recruitment and Selection – Interview Department for Business Innovation organisational, team and individual panel skills / Interview standards and and Skills in July 2013. training needs. This represents 3.75% legislation; of staff days available and 1.7% of • Contract and Tender Evaluations; HSENI believes in firm but fair enforcement HSENI’s administration budget. of health and safety law. This should be Included in the total training figure is • Dealing with difficult conversations; informed by the principles of £37,605 spent on specialist training and proportionality in applying the law and which is organised through HSEGB. • Performance Management. securing compliance; targeting of enforcement action; consistency of In addition, £105,705 has gone approach; transparency about how the towards the structured training regulator operates and what those programme being undertaken by the regulated may expect; and accountability nine Trainee Inspectors who joined for the regulator’s actions. HSENI in November 2013.

78 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 79 Statistics

The following information has been Because of the small statistical base, While HSENI has confidence in the compiled for the work sectors that Figure 1: Reported Fatal HSENI publishes analyses of fatal injury number of fatal injuries recorded, it is HSENI is responsible for under the Injuries – Analysis by work causations on the basis of five-year generally recognised that there is a Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) sector: 2010/11 – 2014/15 records. The most recent analysis is significant degree of under-reporting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. shown in Figure 2. The most frequent of incidents in other categories. It must be borne in mind that all figures 25 causations over 25the last five years Nevertheless, trends relating to these 23 Other Work Activities Other Work Activities for 2014/15 are provisional. were: falls (F); vehicle movements (VM); categories can provide a useful Figure 1 shows that there were 23 drowning/asphyxiation (D/A); being indicator as to general health and safety 20 Quarry 20 Quarry fatal injuries during the reporting struck by an object (SO); animals (A); performance in Northern Ireland. During 17 17 period, which represents an increase collapse/overturn (C/O); machinery the year, there were 26 fewer non-fatal guarding (MG); and fire/explosion (F/E). major injuries reported to HSENI than from the previous year’s figure of General Manufacturing General Manufacturing eight. Of the 23 fatal injuries during 15 15 the number in the previous year as 12 illustrated in Figure 3. 2014/15, nine occurred in Agriculture, Construction Figure 2: Reported Fatal Construction five in Construction, three in Injuries - Analysis by cause Extractive Industries, one in General 10 8 10 Manufacturing and five in other work Agriculture 2010/11 – 2014/15 Figure 3: ReportedAgriculture Major sectors. The increase in fatal injuries 25 Injuries 2010/11 – 2014/15 was most marked in the agricultural 5 25 5 500 sector which saw a rise from four in 444 No 2013/14 to nine in 2014/15. 424 412 0 0 391 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 20 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14400 2014/15 386 Year

Other Work Activities Extractive Industries 16

General Manufacturing Construction 15 300

Agriculture 12 10 10 200

Number of Fatal Injuries 8

5 100 3 3 1

0 0 F VM D/A SO A C/O MG F/E 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Cause Year

80 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 81 There were 1,854 reported ‘over 3 Figures 5 and 6 represent the analyses Figure 6: All Reported Figure 7 illustrates the number of day’ injuries during the year, which of all injuries by work sector and by complaints received by HSENI relating was a 2% increase when compared causation respectively. However, due Injuries 2013/14 - Analysis to alleged unsatisfactory working to the number in the previous year as to variances in levels of under-reporting by Cause conditions and work-related activities. illustrated in Figure 4. This represents between sectors, caution should be This year saw a 15.8% increase in the a 7% decrease on the five-year peak applied when attempting to draw any number of complaints being made experienced in 2010/11. firm inferences from these figures. when compared to the previous year. This number of complaints represents 24% 25% a five-year high, the previous highest Figure 4: Reported Figure 5: All Reported number having been recorded in ‘Over 3 Day’ Injuries Injuries 2013/14 - Analysis 2010/11. 2010/11 – 2014/15 by Work Sector 10% 20% Figure 7: Complaints 1994 2000 10% Received 2010/11 – 2014/15 1865 1854 1819 No 11% 1725 20% 1000 No 34%

1500 17% 800 757 Slips, Trips & Falls Assault by/Violence 823 715 722 836

Handling Fall from a height 3% 19% 6% Struck by/against object Remainder 600 1000

400 Number of ‘Over 3 Day’ Injuries Number of Complaints 500 Health Education

Public Services Construction

200 Manufacturing Remainder

0 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 0 Year 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Year

82 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 83 HSENI and District Council Statistics

The information below reflects the Northern Ireland position relating to all regulatory 5. Employee Fatal Injury Incident Rate – bodies (HSENI and District Councils). Previous year’s final figures are shown in brackets. (P) Indicates that the figure is provisional. Comparison with Great Britain 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 NI Employees at June rounded 720 1. Health and Safety at Work Statistics 2013/14 701 697 693 699 to nearest thousand (Dec14) Fatal Injuries 26 (10) Major Injuries 438 (P) (472) NI Fatal Injuries (Employees only) 4 7 3 3 7 Over 3 Day Injuries 2276 (P) (2171) NI Fatal Injuries incidence rate TOTALS 2740 (P) (2653) 0.57 1.00 0.43 0.43 0.97 per 100,000 employees

GB Fatal Injuries incidence rate 0.50 0.50 0.40(p) 0.44 N/A 2. Statistics by Enforcing Authority per 100,000 employees Fatal Injuries Major Injuries Over 3 Day Injuries HSENI 23 (8) 386 (P) (412) 1854 (P) (1819) 6. Deaths caused, or contributed to, District 3 (2) 52 (60) 422 (352) Councils by Asbestos-related Diseases TOTALS 26 (10) 438 (P) (472) 2276 (P) (2171) Table 1: Asbestos-related deaths in Northern Ireland 2010-2014 3. Five-year Trends Registration Primary/secondary cause 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Year Mesothelioma Asbestosis* Mesothelioma and All primary or without asbestosis without asbestosis* Fatal Injuries 14 18 19 10 26 secondary mesothelioma cause Major Injuries 522 495 428 472 438 2010 34 15 1 50 Over 3 day 2439 2350 2132 2171 2276 Injuries 2011 51 20 1 72 TOTALS 2975 2863 2579 2653 2740 2012 48 13 1 62 2013 41 19 1 61 4. All Reportable Fatal Injuries 2014** Five-year trend by Enforcing Authority * For certain years these figures also include a small number of other asbestos-related chest diseases and pulmonary fibrosis where there was coexisting asbestos exposure 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 HSENI 12 17 17 8 23 ** Figures supplied by GRO and are provisional (2014 figures not available until July/August 2015) District 2 1 2 2 3 Councils TOTALS 14 18 19 10 26

84 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 85 Director’s Report

Table 2: Asbestos-related deaths in Northern Ireland Directors Pension Liabilities 2010-2014: where asbestosis or mesothelioma are coded as The Directors of HSENI during 2014/15 Information on how pension liabilities the primary cause of death included the Chairman, Board are treated in the accounts and a Registration Primary/secondary cause Members and the Senior Management reference to the statements of the Team. The names of the Chairman and relevant pension scheme is contained Year All primary Mesothelioma Asbestosis* Board Members are set out in the in the Remuneration Report and in note cause Governance Statement that forms part 1.11 of the Notes to the Executive’s 2010 35 4 39 of the Statement of Accounts. The Accounts. 2011 49 7 56 Senior Management Team during 2012 48 4 52 2014/15 was comprised of the Chief Register of Interests 2013 39 8 47 Executive, Keith Morrison, and three 2014** Deputy Chief Executives, Bryan The HSENI Board is supported by a Monson, Nicola Monson and Dermot secretariat, located within Corporate * For certain years these figures also include a small number of other asbestos-related chest diseases Breen. Support Group, which is responsible for and pulmonary fibrosis where there was coexisting asbestos exposure the maintenance of a register of ** Figures supplied by GRO and are provisional (2014 figures not available until July/August 2015) Principal Activities interests that contains details of company directorships and other Reported Diseases 2014/15 The principal activities of HSENI in the significant interests held by Board course of the year are set out in detail members which may conflict with their Under the RIDDOR Regulations, HSENI initially received 20 reports of diseases, in the Strategic Report, with the management responsibilities. Access to seven of which were later confirmed as non-reportable. Within the reportable Performance section providing a good the information in that Register can be category there were: nine cases of hand-arm vibration syndrome (one of which still to overview. obtained by writing to the Board be confirmed), one case of carpal tunnel syndrome, two cases of occupational Secretary, Health and Safety Executive dermatitis and one case of traumatic inflammation of the tendons. These 13 cases Dividends for Northern Ireland, 83 Ladas Drive, came from nine different employers. Belfast, BT6 9FR or by emailing mail@ The Directors of HSENI did not hseni.gov.uk and marking your email recommend any payments by way of “FAO Board Secretary”. dividends. Research and Development Donations HSENI does not engage in research HSENI made no charitable or political and development activities. donations during the year.

86 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 87 Sickness Absence Data stress and other work-related health Audit issues, and aimed at high risk work The overall HSENI managing sectors, such as agriculture, The financial statements are audited by attendance figure for 2014/15 was a construction, waste and extractive the Comptroller and Auditor General for total of 1,042 staff days lost. This industries; Northern Ireland (C&AG) in accordance K Morrison equates to an average of 8.3 days with the Health and Safety at Work Chief Executive • continue to work with a range of sickness absence per staff member (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 as public sector bodies in reducing during the year. amended by the Health and Safety at sickness absence associated with Date: 25.06.2015 Work (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) work-related stress; Personal Data-related Order 1998. The C&AG is Head of the • distribute 6,000 copies of the ‘Be Northern Ireland Audit Office and he Incidents safe when you start’ booklet to young and his staff are wholly independent of During the year, no personal data loss people and students entering the the Health and Safety Executive for incidents were reported. world of work for the first time; Northern Ireland. He reports his findings to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The • deliver 10 presentations to students and apprentices to raise awareness audit of the financial statements for Future Developments in of asbestos in their industry; 2014/15 resulted in an audit fee of Health and Safety £9,303 and is included in the other • provide mentoring to 200 premises operating charges in the Net The Corporate Plan has been rolled on health and safety issues specific Expenditure Account. The C&AG did over for a further year to include to the business needs and priority not provide any non-audit services 2015/16 which will be the fifth year of areas, including ‘new to the job’ risks during the year. As the Accounting the plan. During 2015/16, HSENI aims where appropriate; Officer, HSENI’s Chief Executive is to: • undertake at least 5,000 inspections responsible for maintaining a sound system of internal control that supports • deliver a multi-media Farm Safety of workplaces, including inspection campaign in line with the Farm Safety initiatives focussing on farm safety, the achievement of HSENI’s policies, Partnership’s Action Plan 2014-2017; major hazard sites, health issues in aims and objectives whilst safeguarding the manufacturing sector, legionella the public funds and HSENI assets in • deliver the objectives set out in the prevention and asbestos removal accordance with the responsibilities set Farm Safety Partnership Action Plan operations; and out in Managing Public Money (NI). (identified for HSENI) by March 2016; • work in partnership with the District • deliver farm safety presentations to So far as the Accounting Officer is Councils in delivering joint work aware, there is no relevant audit children in 80 rural primary schools activity on ‘New to the Job’. and run a safety on farms poster information of which the auditor is competition aimed at rural primary Other Developments unaware, and the Accounting Officer school pupils; has taken all the steps that he ought to There were no important events have taken to make himself aware of • hold a series of targeted events in affecting HSENI which have occurred any relevant audit information and to conjunction with partner since the end of the financial year. establish that the auditor is aware of organisations aimed at priority issues, that information. such as asbestos, work-related

88 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 89 Remuneration Report

The remuneration of senior civil Service Contracts Salary and Pension Entitlements (audited information) servants is set by the Minister for Finance and Personnel. The Minister Civil Service appointments are made in The following sections provide details of the remuneration and pension interests of approved a restructured SCS pay accordance with the Civil Service the senior members of HSENI. settlement broadly in line with the Commissioners’ Recruitment Code, Senior Salaries Review Board report which requires appointment to be on Remuneration (including salary) and pension entitlements which he commissioned in 2010. The merit on the basis of fair and open commitment to a Pay and Grading competition but also includes the 2014-15 2013-14 Review for SCS was the second phase circumstances when appointments may otherwise be made. Senior Salary Pension Total Salary Pension Total of the equal pay settlement approved Management £’000 Benefits (£’000) £’000 Benefits (£’000) by the Executive. (to nearest (to nearest Unless otherwise stated below, the £1000)* £1000)* officials covered by this report hold Keith Morrison 65-70 24,000 90-95 65-70 14,000 75-80 Remuneration Committee appointments which are open-ended. Chief Executive The Remuneration Committee meets Early termination, other than for Dermot Breen 60-65 4,000 65-70 60-65 15,000** 75-80** once a year to review the performance misconduct, would result in the Deputy Chief of the Chief Executive and to individual receiving compensation as Executive recommend to the Department the set out in the Civil Service Bryan Monson 60-65 17,000 75-80 55-60 10,000 65-70 Chief Executive’s pay award. Compensation Scheme. Deputy Chief Executive Further information about the work of The committee comprises the Nicola Monson 55-60 29,000 80-85 10-15 7,000 20-25 Chairman and Deputy Chairman the Civil Service Commissioners can be Deputy Chief (full year together with two other Board found at www.nicscommissioners.org. Executive (from 1st equivalent: members. The composition of the January 2014) 50-55) committee which met during 2014/15 Band of Highest Paid 65-70 65-70 was George Lucas, Hilary Singleton Manager and Billy Graham. Median Total 31,135 30,872 Remuneration Board salaries are set by the Public Ratio 2.2 2.2 Appointments Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. * The value of pension benefits accrued during the year is calculated as (the real increase in pension multiplied by 20) plus (the real increase in any lump sum) less (the contributions made by the individual). The real increases include increases due to inflation and any increase or decreases due to a transfer of pension rights.

** 2013-14 comparatives have been revised on the basis of new information from Pensions Branch

90 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 91 Reporting bodies are required to In 2014-15, 0 (2013-14, 0) employees Bonuses disclose the relationship between the received remuneration in excess of the remuneration of the highest-paid highest-paid manager. Bonuses are based on performance levels attained and are made as part of the manager in their organisation and the appraisal process. Bonuses relate to the performance in the year in which they median remuneration of the Total remuneration includes salary, become payable to the individual. No bonuses became payable to senior staff in the organisation’s workforce. non-consolidated performance-related current or previous year. pay and benefits in kind. It does not The banded remuneration of the include severance payments, employer Pension Entitlements (audited information) highest-paid manager in HSENI in the pension contributions and the cash financial year 2014-15 was £65 - 70k equivalent transfer value of pensions. Accrued Real CETV at CETV at Real (2013-14, £65 – 70k). This was 2.2 pension at increase in 31/3/15 31/3/14 increase in times (2013-14, 2.2) the median None of the senior members of HSENI pension age pension and CETV remuneration of the workforce, which received bonuses or benefits in kind as at 31/3/15 related lump and related sum at was £31,135 (2013-14, £30,872). during the year 2014-15 or 2013-14. lump sum pension age Senior £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 2014-15 2015-16 Management Board Members Salary £’000 Salary £’000 Keith Morrison 25-30 0-2.5 374 341* 13 George Lucas Chairperson 15-20 15-20 Chief Executive Gerard Campbell*, Crosby 0-5 0-5 Dermot Breen 25-30 plus 0-2.5 plus 509 470* 2 Cleland*, Pat Lyons*, Lindsay Deputy Chief lump sum of lump sum of Fawcett*, Billy Graham, John Executive 75-80 2.5-5 Kane, Hilary Singleton, Maynard Mawhinney, Lindsey Smith, Bryan Monson 15-20 plus 0-2.5 plus 271 246 11 Mark Wilkinson#, Harry Deputy Chief lump sum of lump sum of Sinclair#, Tom Wright# Executive 45-50 2.5-5

* resigned on 30 September 2014 Nicola Monson 10-15 plus 0-2.5 plus 211 181 19 # appointed on 1 October 2014 Deputy Chief lump sum of lump sum of Executive (from 35-40 2.5-5 1st January Salary Benefits in kind 2014) ‘Salary’ includes gross salary; overtime; The monetary value of benefits in kind * CETV at 31/3/14 has been revised on the basis of new information provided by Pensions Branch reserved rights to London weighting or covers any benefits provided by the London allowances; recruitment and employer and treated by HM Revenue Board members are not included in the NICS Pension Scheme. retention allowances; private office and Customs as a taxable emolument. allowances and any other allowance to No such benefits were received by the extent that it is subject to UK HSENI staff. taxation and any gratia payments.

92 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 93 Northern Ireland Civil A new pension scheme, alpha, will be Scheme Year 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016 Service (NICS) Pension introduced for new entrants from 1 April 2015. The majority of existing members Pay band – assessed each pay period Contribution rates Contribution rates arrangements of the NICS pension arrangements will – Classic members – classic plus, premium, nuvos and Pension benefits are provided through move to alpha from that date. Members alpha who on 1 April 2012 were within 10 the Northern Ireland Civil Service pension From To From 01 April 2015 to From 01 April 2015 to arrangements which are administered years of their normal pension age will 31 March 2016 31 March 2016 not move to alpha and those who were by Civil Service Pensions (CSP). Staff in £0 £15,000.99 3% 4.6% post prior to 30 July 2007 may be in within 13.5 years and 10 years of their normal pension age were given a £15,001.00 £21,000.99 4.6% 4.6% one of three statutory based ‘final salary’ £21,001.00 £47,000.99 5.45% 5.45% defined benefit arrangements (classic, choice between moving to alpha on 1 £47,001.00 £150,000.99 7.35% 7.35% premium, and classic plus). These April 2015 or at a later date determined arrangements are unfunded with the by their age. alpha is also a ‘Career £150,001.00 and above 8.05% 8.05% cost of benefits met by monies voted Average Revalued Earnings’ (CARE) by the Assembly each year. From April arrangement in which members accrue Benefits in classic accrue at the rate of pensionable salary (in addition to the 2011 pensions payable under classic, pension benefits at a percentage rate of 1/80th of pensionable salary for each employer’s basic contribution). premium, and classic plus are increased annual pensionable earnings year of service. In addition, a lump sum Employers also contribute a further annually in line with changes in the throughout the period of scheme equivalent to three years’ pension is 0.8% of pensionable salary to cover the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). Prior to membership. The rate will be 2.32%. payable on retirement. For premium, cost of centrally-provided risk benefit 2011, pensions were increased in line CARE pension benefits are increased benefits accrue at the rate of 1/60th of cover (death in service and ill health with changes in the Retail Prices Index annually in line with increases in the final pensionable earnings for each year retirement). (RPI). New entrants joining on or after 1 CPI. of service. Unlike classic, there is no October 2002 and before 30 July 2007 automatic lump sum (but members The accrued pension quoted is the could choose between membership of For 2015, public service pensions will may give up (commute) some of their pension the member is entitled to premium or joining a good quality be increased by 1.2% for pensions pension to provide a lump sum). receive when they reach pension age, ‘money purchase’ stakeholder arrangement which began before 6 April 2014. Classic plus is essentially a variation of or immediately on ceasing to be an with a significant employer contribution Pensions which began after 6 April premium, but with benefits in respect of active member of the scheme if they (partnership pension account). New 2014 will be increased proportionately. service before 1 October 2002 are at or over pension age. Pension entrants joining on or after 30 July 2007 calculated broadly as per classic. age is 60 for members of classic, are eligible for membership of the nuvos Employee contribution rates for all premium and classic plus and 65 for arrangement or they can opt for a members for the period covering 1st The partnership pension account is a members of nuvos. The normal partnership pension account. Nuvos is April 2015 – 31st March 2016 are as stakeholder pension arrangement. The pension age in alpha will be linked to a ‘Career Average Revalued Earnings’ follows: employer makes a basic contribution of the member’s State Pension Age but (CARE) arrangement in which members between 3% and 12.5% (depending on cannot be before age 65. Further accrue pension benefits at a percentage the age of the member) into a details about the NICS pension rate of annual pensionable earnings stakeholder pension product chosen by arrangements can be found at the throughout the period of scheme the employee. The employee does not website www.dfpni.gov.uk/ membership. The current rate is 2.3%. have to contribute but where they do civilservicepensions-ni. CARE pension benefits are increased make contributions, the employer will annually in line with increases in the CPI. match these up to a limit of 3% of

94 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 95 Cash Equivalent Transfer Real increase in CETV Health and Safety Values This reflects the increase in CETV A Cash Equivalent Transfer Value effectively funded by the employer. It (CETV) is the actuarially assessed does not include the increase in Executive for capitalised value of the pension scheme accrued pension due to inflation, benefits accrued by a member at a contributions paid by the employee Northern Ireland particular point in time. The benefits (including the value of any benefits valued are the member’s accrued transferred from another pension benefits and any contingent spouse’s scheme or arrangement) and uses pension payable from the scheme. A common market valuation factors for CETV is a payment made by a pension the start and end of the period. Financial Statements for the scheme or arrangement to secure pension benefits in another pension year ended 31 March 2015 scheme or arrangement when the member leaves a scheme and chooses to transfer the benefits accrued in their former scheme. The pension figures K Morrison shown relate to the benefits that the Accounting Officer individual has accrued as a consequence of their total membership Date: 25.06.2015 of the pension scheme, not just their service in a senior capacity to which disclosure applies. The CETV figures, and from 2003-04 the other pension details, include the value of any pension benefit in another scheme or arrangement which the individual has transferred to the NICS pension arrangements. They also include any additional pension benefit accrued to the member as a result of their purchasing additional years of pension service in the scheme at their own cost. CETVs are calculated in accordance with The Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations and do not take account of any actual or potential benefits resulting from Lifetime Allowance Tax which may be due when pension benefits are taken.

96 Annual Report 2014–2015 97 Contents

Statement of Accounting Officer’s Responsibilities 100

Governance Statement 101

Auditor’s Report 113

Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure 115

Statement of Financial Position 116

Statement of Cash Flows 117

Statement of Changes in Taxpayers’ Equity 118

Notes to the Accounts 120

98 Annual Report 2014–2015 99 Statement of Accounting Officer’s Responsibilities Governance Statement

Under the Health and Safety at Work • material departures in the financial Introduction HSENI’s Governance (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 as statements; and Framework amended by the Health and Safety at This is the third Governance Statement • prepare the financial statements on a for the Health and Safety Executive for Work (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) going concern basis. Corporate Governance refers to the Order 1998, the Department of Northern Ireland (HSENI). It reflects way in which organisations are directed Enterprise, Trade and Investment has The Accounting Officer of the HSENI’s governance, risk management and controlled. HSENI’s governance directed the Health and Safety Department of Enterprise, Trade and and internal control arrangements as framework, which ensures the Executive for Northern Ireland to Investment has designated the Chief they have operated during the 2014-15 effectiveness of the direction and prepare for each financial year a Executive as Accounting Officer of the financial year. It also provides details of control of the Department, is set out in statement of accounts in the form and Health and Safety Executive for future actions planned by the HSENI to the following paragraphs. on the basis set out in the Accounts Northern Ireland. The responsibilities of mitigate risks and to address any Direction. The accounts are prepared an Accounting Officer, including internal control weaknesses that have on an accruals basis and must give a responsibility for the propriety and been identified. HSENI’s Board true and fair view of the state of affairs regularity of the public finances for HSENI’s Board oversees the aims and of the Health and Safety Executive for which the Accounting Officer is Organisation and Structures objectives of the organisation within the Northern Ireland and of its income and answerable, for keeping proper records wider strategic aims of DETI, HSENI’s expenditure, changes in taxpayers’ and for safeguarding the Health and The four key organisational structures sponsor Department. It supports the equity and cash flows for the financial Safety Executive for Northern Ireland’s which support the delivery of corporate Chief Executive by providing collective year. In preparing the accounts, the assets, are set out in Managing Public governance in HSENI are the: leadership and taking ownership of Accounting Officer is required to Money Northern Ireland (MPMNI), HSENI’s performance. • HSENI Board; comply with the requirements of the issued by the Department of Finance Government Financial Reporting and Personnel. • Audit and Risk Management HSENI’s Board currently comprises of Manual and in particular to: Committee; nine members including the Chairman, • Monthly Senior Management Team George Lucas, who was appointed on • observe the Accounts Direction meetings; and 1 April 2011. During the year 2014/15, issued by the Department of four members of the Board retired, two • Quarterly Oversight and Liaison Enterprise, Trade and Investment new members were appointed and one meetings with HSENI’s sponsoring including the relevant accounting and K Morrison member was reappointed. The Board body, the Department of Enterprise, disclosure requirements, and apply Chief Executive members are appointed for three years Trade and Investment (DETI). suitable accounting policies on a (renewable for a further period of up consistent basis; Date: 25.06.2015 to three years) by the Departmental • make judgements and estimates on a Minister, in line with the Code of Practice reasonable basis; issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. • state whether applicable accounting standards as set out in the Government Financial Reporting Manual have been followed, and disclose and explain any

100 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 101 The Board is comprised entirely of independents and its members during While HSENI is a Crown body and its • constructively challenges the HSENI’s 2014/15 were: staff are civil servants, the Board is the executive team in their planning, employer of HSENI staff and is target setting and delivery of responsible for appointing its Chief performance; Executive and appropriate remuneration • ensures that the Department is kept for this post. The Board contributes to informed of any changes which are the good governance of HSENI by likely to impact on the strategic offering constructive challenge across direction of HSENI or on the all of HSENI’s business. This is with a attainability of its targets, and view to ensuring that all aspects of determines the steps needed to deal strategy and delivery of policy are with such changes; George Lucas *Gerard Campbell *Crosby Cleland *Pat Lyons *Lindsay Fawcett scrutinised for effectiveness and Chairman Deputy Chairman efficiency. Day-to-day operational • ensures that any statutory or (up to Sept 14) matters are the responsibility of the administrative requirements for the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief use of public funds are complied Executives that make up HSENI’s with; that the Board operates within Senior Management Team. the limits of its statutory authority and any delegated authority agreed with The Board has corporate responsibility the Department, and in accordance for ensuring that HSENI fulfils the aims with any other conditions relating to and objectives set by DETI and the use of public funds; and that, in approved by the Minister, and for reaching decisions, the Board takes promoting the efficient, economic and into account all relevant guidance Billy Graham John Kane Hilary Singleton Maynard **Dr Mark Wilkinson effective use of staff and other issued by DFP and the Department; Deputy Chair Mawhinney (current) resources by HSENI. • ensures that the Board receives and reviews regular financial information To this end, and in pursuit of its wider corporate responsibilities, the Board: • concerning the management of HSENI; is informed in a timely • establishes the overall strategic manner about any concerns about direction of HSENI within the policy the activities of HSENI; and provides and resources framework determined positive assurance to the Department by the sponsor Minister and that appropriate action has been Department, particularly under the taken on such concerns; Department’s Management Lindsey Smith ***Harry Sinclair ***Tom Wright Statement and Financial Memorandum for HSENI;

*Retired in September 2014 due to completion of second term as Board member **Re-appointed as Board member in October 2014 ***Appointed as Board member in October 2014

102 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 103 • demonstrates high standards of Secretariat The role of the ARMC is to provide The ARMC also periodically reviews its corporate governance at all times, reassurance to the Board by own effectiveness and reports the including using the independent audit The Board is supported by a overseeing: results of that review to the Board. committee, to help the Board to secretariat, located within Corporate Support Group, which is responsible for (i) The strategic processes for risk, address the key financial and other Health and Safety risks facing HSENI; and maintenance of a register of interests. control and governance, and the An agenda and papers are circulated annual Governance Statement; Executive/Local Authority • appoints with the Department’s one week in advance of each meeting approval, a Chief Executive to HSENI (ii) The accounting policies, the Liaison (HELANI) Committee and a record of meetings is circulated and, in consultation with the accounts, and the annual report of to Board members and posted on The HELANI Committee is a liaison Department, sets performance the organisation, including the HSENI’s website after the following committee. Its aim is to develop and objectives and remuneration terms processes for review of the board meeting. New members are maintain a productive and effective linked to these objectives for the accounts prior to submission for provided with an induction pack and working partnership with HSENI’s Chief Executive, which give due audit, levels of error identified, and programme. management’s letter of co-enforcers, the NI District Councils. weight to the proper management The Committee is chaired by a Board and use of public monies. representation to the external auditors; member, Billy Graham, following the HSENI’s Audit and Risk completion of Pat Lyons’ term as a Corporate and Business Management Committee (iii) The planned activity and results of Board member. Maynard Mawhinney both internal and external audit; also represents the Board on the Planning The Board is supported in its role by Committee. The Committee normally HSENI’s Audit and Risk Management (iv) Proposals for tendering for internal Within the policy and resources meets three times a year but due to the Committee (ARMC), which is a sub- audit services or for purchase of framework set by the Department’s changes taking place in Local committee of the Board. The ARMC is non-audit services from contractors Minister and the Executive, HSENI’s Government, the Committee was only chaired by a Board member, Hilary who provide audit services; Board sets the strategic and annual able to meet once during the period. Singleton who assumed this role (v) Adequacy of management direction of the organisation through the following the end of Gerard Campbell’s responses to issues identified by corporate and business planning term as a Board member. The ARMC audit activity, including external Remuneration Committee process. A Corporate Plan, which also includes three other Board audit’s management letter; aligns with the Executive’s Programme The Remuneration Committee normally members, John Kane, Lindsey Smith for Government and Budget, is (vi) Assurances relating to the corporate meets once a year to review the and Dr Mark Wilkinson in its structure, normally prepared every three years. governance requirements for the performance of the Chief Executive and along with officials and representatives More detailed Operating Plans are organisation; and to recommend to the Department the of Northern Ireland Audit Office and prepared on an annual basis. The Chief Executive’s pay award. During HSENI’s externally appointed Internal (vii) Anti fraud policies and whistle detailed stages of the corporate and 2014/15, the Committee, comprised of Auditors. blowing processes. business planning processes are built the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman into the HSENI’s Board work and Board member, Hilary Singleton, programme. met on 13 November 2014 to discuss the Chief Executive’s progression against objectives.

104 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 105 Monthly Senior Management Board Performance and Effectiveness Team Meeting During the 2014/15 year, HSENI’s Board met a total of five times. Details of the HSENI’s monthly Senior Management attendance of individuals who were Board members during the year was as follows: Team meeting is the regular formal meeting of senior management to discuss Board Member (including new members and Number of Out of a ongoing operational issues. It is chaired those who retired during 2014/15) Meetings Possible by the Chief Executive and attended Attended by the three Deputy Chief Executives. Minutes of these meetings are George Lucas 5 5 published on HSENI’s website. Gerard Campbell 2 3 Quarterly Oversight and Pat Lyons 3 3 Liaison Meetings Lindsay Fawcett 1 3 Oversight and Liaison meetings with Crosby Cleland 1 3 DETI are held on a quarterly basis. Mark Wilkinson 1 1 The agendas for these meetings John Kane 5 5 contain standing items which include performance monitoring, budgetary Hilary Singleton 5 5 and finance matters, risk management Billy Graham 5 5 and corporate governance. Attendance at these meetings and any matters Maynard Mawhinney 4 5 of note are reported to HSENI’s Board Lindsey Smith 5 5 by the Chief Executive. Harry Sinclair 0 1

Tom Wright 1 1

During the 2014/15 year, issues (iii) human resource issues, including considered by HSENI’s Board managing attendance; included: (iv) legislative progress and proposals; (i) HSENI’s annual Budget allocation (vi) progress in relation to outputs and and issues arising therefrom; outcomes (performance targets); (ii) management accounting and information relating to the actual use (vii) the identification and management of financial resources; of risk.

106 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 107 Audit and Risk Management Corporate Risks are managed Failure to secure sufficient funding Failure to prevent and detect fraud Committee Reports collectively by the Senior Management to maintain services and a failure to report suspected fraud Team, with ownership of the risks There was an in-year reduction in HSENI has clear roles and Following each meeting of the ARMC, assigned to the Accounting Officer. HSENI’s Programme Budget of responsibilities in place with regard to HSENI’s Board is provided with the HSENI’s Senior Management Team £356,000 which increased the risk of a identifying, investigating and managing draft minutes of the meeting formally reviews the Corporate Risk reduction in service delivery. To mitigate any suspected cases of fraud. There supplemented by a verbal report from Register on a quarterly basis, with a this possibility, HSENI utilised a number are a number of key operational and the ARMC Chairman. further review at each meeting of the ARMC. HSENI’s Board also receives a of controls to ensure the delivery of corporate governance controls that operational priorities. help ensure that the likelihood of this The Chairman also provides an annual full copy of the Corporate Risk Register risk is minimised. These include Fraud report to HSENI’s Board which at each meeting. and Whistleblowing Policies. summarises the Committee’s work for Damage to HSENI’s Reputation the year. Corporate risks being managed at 31 Damage to HSENI’s reputation could Major disruption to business March 2015 and key actions being lead to poor organisational credability. The report includes: taken in mitigation related to: The organisation therefore treats this as A major disruption to business delivery (i) Details of meetings and a significant risk and has a number of may result from a number of causes. Retention and availability of membership; controls in place to mitigate this risk. HSENI has mitigated this risk by having specialist/skilled staff This includes the maintenance of a Emergency Planning Controls, (ii) A summary of the findings from the strong corporate governance ethic and Information Technology Controls, ARMC’s review of its effectiveness; The inability to retain or recruit specialist/skilled staff means that control procedures by both HSENI’s Information Security Controls and (iii) A summary of work undertaken HSENI would have difficulty in delivering Board and staff members. Operational Controls in place. during the year; and the commitments contained in the Performance of the organisation is regularly monitored by HSENI’s Senior Following an internal audit (iv) The ARMC’s views on risk Corporate Plan and Operating Plan, Management Team and the Board. recommendation, HSENI introduced a management. which in turn presents a risk to the reputation and credibility of the new category to its risk register which The ARMC was content with the quality organisation. Actions taken to mitigate Financial loss through Legal identifies ‘emerging risks’ within the of assurances it received, the against the occurrence of this risk Proceedings being brought against organisation and details the potential management of risk and the quality of include regular discussions with HSENI cause of these risks, controls in place internal and external audit. appropriate units in DETI to discuss and actions planned to try to prevent The fruition of this risk could be due to risks from occurring. how best to deal with recruitment a number of factors including failure of Risk Management issues at a time of budgetary staff to adhere to HSENI policies and constraints alongside a number of HSENI’s approach is to assign risks to procedures. The organisation has a Human Resource measures to help number of controls in place to mitigate those best placed to manage them, enhance the standing of the whilst maintaining clear accountability. this risk. These include robust selection, organisation in non-monetary terms for recruitment and training processes for HSENI manages risk at a Corporate employees. level, supported by internal processes. inspectorate staff in particular.

108 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 109 At present, possible emerging risks and Data Security During 2014/15, HSENI dealt with 50 Compliance with the their potential root causes within HSENI Freedom of Information requests and Corporate Governance are: In July 2014, HSENI’s Internal Auditors six Environmental Information carried out a review of the controls in Regulations requests. These requests Code place to manage information security in • Loss of funding due to 15% budget varied in nature and originated from a HSENI is content that it is compliant the organisation and a substantial cuts for 2015/16; number of sources, including the with both the spirit and the principles of assurance rating was received with general public, private companies and • the ‘Corporate Governance in Central Disruption of business due to regard to this. HSENI’s key objectives MLAs. Government Departments: Code of relocation of staff from Longbridge and risks are regularly assessed to Good Practice NI 2013’ issued by the House to Ladas Drive; ensure consistency of treatment. The Department of Finance and Personnel • Loss of staff with specialist risk to information security is Internal Audit in April 2013, in so much as they can knowledge due to the NICS Voluntary considered as an integral part of this HSENI has externally appointed Internal be read across to NDPBs. Exit Scheme; and process, particularly in relation to risk of Auditors, who operate to HM Treasury’s damage to HSENI’s reputation. HSENI • Loss of contacts and momentum in Public Sector Internal Audit Standards. working with Local Government given Board members were provided with a The Internal Auditors construct their Quality of Data Used RPA changes. copy of HM Treasury’s document annual audit programme on the basis of by HSENI’s Board ‘Cyber Security: balancing risk and an Internal Audit Strategy covering the These Emerging Risks are being, and reward with confidence’ (issued in period 2011/12 to 2014/15 and also HSENI’s Board is issued with the most will continue to be, managed through December 2014) at the Board meeting take into account the objectives and up-to-date data sources ahead of each detailed planning and best use of of 5 February 2015. The document, risks faced by HSENI, including any Board meeting. The data is collated resources. specifically aimed at Non-Executive emerging risks. The Internal Audit into a number of key reports, drawn Directors of Public Sector programme for 2014/15 was agreed by from a wide range of sources, covering Six Monthly Assurance organisations, provided Board the ARMC. the core functions of the organisation, Statements members with guidance on cyber including budgets and finance, security. A cover note explaining HSENI’s Internal Auditors submit performance monitoring, legislation, Every six months HSENI’s Chief assurances in place within HSENI to regular reports to the ARMC which human resources, investigations and Executive provides an Assurance mitigate cyber risks was issued to include the Head of Internal Audit’s prosecutions, all of which are subject to Statement to DETI’s Permanent members with the document. There independent opinion on the adequacy, internal audit scrutiny. The Board also Secretary, who is the Departmental were no data losses during 2014/15. reliability and effectiveness of HSENI’s draws assurance from the fact that Accounting Officer for DETI. This six system of internal control. A substantial data relating to financial information and monthly statement confirms the efficacy HSENI was also represented at the assurance was given in relation to the absenteeism is derived from NICS-wide of the systems of internal control within annual NDPB Data Security Forum, adequacy of the systems of control in systems such as Account NI and HR HSENI and, where appropriate, draws which is chaired by DETI’s place within HSENI, in line with the Connect. These systems are subject to the attention of the Permanent Departmental Information Officer. Internal Audit Strategic Plan, and their scrutiny by DFP’s Internal Audit Service Secretary to any significant internal operation for the period ended 31 and information on absenteeism is control issues. Freedom of Information (FOI) and March 2015. supplied to Departments by the Environmental Information Regulations Northern Ireland Statistics and (EIR) Requests Research Agency (NISRA).

110 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 111 Auditor’s Report

The data is subject to challenge or to Other Issues The Certificate and Report Scope of the audit of the requests for further information/ of the Comptroller and financial statements clarification by the Board. The Board Voluntary Exit Scheme was content with the quality of Auditor General to the An audit involves obtaining evidence about information it received during 2014/15. An NICS-wide Voluntary Exit Scheme Northern Ireland Assembly the amounts and disclosures in the launched on 2 March 2015 in a bid to financial statements sufficient to give address significant budget pressures I certify that I have audited the financial reasonable assurance that the financial Ministerial Directions facing Departments in the context of statements of the Health and Safety statements are free from material the 2015/16 Budget. The Scheme will misstatement, whether caused by fraud No Ministerial Directions were issued Executive for Northern Ireland for the operate in the 2015/16 financial year or error. This includes an assessment during the 2014/15 financial year. year ended 31 March 2015 under the only. Staff selected to leave will do so Health and Safety at Work (Northern of: whether the accounting policies are by 31 March 2016 at the latest, Ireland) Order 1978. These comprise appropriate to the Health and Safety Public Accounts Committee provided sufficient funds are available. the Statements of Comprehensive Net Executive for Northern Ireland’s Issues HSENI’s Senior Management Team is Expenditure, Financial Position, Cash circumstances and have been consistently monitoring the situation closely in order Flows, Changes in Taxpayers’ Equity applied and adequately disclosed; HSENI was not required to provide to meet the 10% staff reduction and the related notes. These financial the reasonableness of significant evidence to the Assembly’s Public required, whilst ensuring that essential statements have been prepared under accounting estimates made by the Accounts Committee during 2014/15. services are not affected. the accounting policies set out within Health and Safety Executive for them. I have also audited the Northern Ireland; and the overall information in the Remuneration Report presentation of the financial statements. that is described in that report as In addition I read all the financial and having been audited. non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies K Morrison Respective responsibilities of the with the audited financial statements Chief Executive Accounting Officer and auditor and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based Date: 25.06.2015 As explained more fully in the Statement on, or materially inconsistent with, the of Accounting Officer’s Responsibilities, knowledge acquired by me in the course the Accounting Officer is responsible for of performing the audit. If I become the preparation of the financial aware of any apparent material statements and for being satisfied that misstatements or inconsistencies I they give a true and fair view. My consider the implications for my report. responsibility is to examine, certify and report on the financial statements in I am required to obtain evidence accordance with the Health and Safety sufficient to give reasonable assurance at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. I that the expenditure and income conducted my audit in accordance with recorded in the financial statements International Standards on Auditing (UK have been applied to the purposes and Ireland). Those standards require intended by the Assembly and the me and my staff to comply with the financial transactions recorded in the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical financial statements conform to the Standards for Auditors. authorities which govern them.

112 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 113 Opinion on Regularity • the information given in the Annual Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure Report for the financial year for for the year ended 31st March 2015 In my opinion, in all material respects which the financial statements are the expenditure and income recorded prepared is consistent with the 2014-15 2013-14 in the financial statements have been financial statements. applied to the purposes intended by Notes £’000 £’000 the Assembly and the financial Matters on which I report by Expenditure transactions recorded in the financial exception Staff Costs 2 5,112 4,876 statements conform to the authorities which govern them. I have nothing to report in respect of Depreciation and amortisation 3 20 24 the following matters which I report Other Expenditures 3 1,876 2,026 to you if, in my opinion: Opinion on financial statements 7,008 6,926

In my opinion: • adequate accounting records have Income not been kept; or Income from Activities 4 36 57 • the financial statements give a true 36 57 and fair view of the state of the • the financial statements and the part Health and Safety Executive for of the Remuneration Report to be Northern Ireland’s affairs as at 31 audited are not in agreement with the Net expenditure 6,972 6,869 March 2015 and of the net accounting records; or expenditure, cash flows and changes • I have not received all of the There were no other recognised gains or losses in the period. in taxpayers’ equity for the year then information and explanations I require ended; and for my audit; or All amounts above relate to continuing operations.

• the financial statements have been • the Governance Statement does not The notes on pages 120 to 134 form part of these accounts. properly prepared in accordance with reflect compliance with Department the Health and Safety at Work of Finance and Personnel’s guidance. (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Report Investment directions issued thereunder. I have no observations to make on these financial statements. Opinion on other matters In my opinion:

• the part of the Remuneration Report KJ Donnelly to be audited has been properly Comptroller and Auditor General prepared in accordance with Northern Ireland Audit Office Department of Enterprise, Trade and 106 University Street Investment directions made under Belfast the Health and Safety at Work BT7 1EU (Northern Ireland) Order 1978; and 29 June 2015

114 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 115 Statement of Financial Position as at 31st March 2015 Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31st March 2015

31st March 31st March 2014-15 2013-14 2015 2014 Notes £’000 £’000 Notes £’000 £’000 Cash flows from operating activities Non-current assets: Net deficit after interest (6,972) (6,869) Property, plant and equipment 5 71 54 Adjustment for depreciation charge on 3 20 21 Intangible assets 6 - - non-current assets Total non-current assets 71 54 Adjustment for amortisation of intangible assets 3 - 3 Adjustment for notional costs 3 535 508 Current assets Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables 8 (62) 19 Trade and other receivables* 8 263 201 (Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables 10 103 (57) Cash and cash equivalents 9 521 398 Net cash outflow from operating activities (6,376) (6,375) Total current assets 784 599 Cash flows from investing activities Total assets 855 653 Purchase of property, plant and equipment 5 (18) (11) Current liabilities Net cash outflow from investing activities (18) (11) Trade and other payables* 10 545 422 Cash flows from financing activities Total current liabilities 545 422 Grants from sponsoring department Total assets less liabilities 310 231 Capital Grant-in-Aid Financing 40 11 Taxpayers’ equity Funding of Staff and Operating Expenditure* 5,619 5,446 Revaluation reserve - - Funding of Programme Expenditure 858 966 General reserve 310 231 Net financing 6,517 6,423 Total 310 231 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 9 123 37 in the period The financial statements on pages 115 to 134 were approved by the Board on 25 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 9 398 361 June 2015 and were signed on its behalf by; of the period Cash and cash equivalents at the end 9 521 398 of the period

* Staff and Operating Expenditure is paid by DETI on HSENI’s behalf (G Lucas, Chairman) (K Morrison, Chief Executive) The notes on pages 120 to 134 form part of these accounts. Date: 25.06.2015

The notes on pages 120 to 134 form part of these accounts.

116 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 117 Statement of Changes in Taxpayers’ Equity for the year ended 31st March 2015 The General Reserve serves as the chief operating fund. The General Reserve is used to account for all financial resources except those required to be accounted for Revaluation General Total in another fund. Reserve Reserve Reserves Notes £’000 £’000 £’000 The Revaluation Reserve records the unrealised gain or loss on the revaluation of intangible assets. All such assets have been fully amortised. Balance at 31st March 2013 - 169 169

Changes in taxpayers’ equity for 2013-14 The notes on pages 120 to 134 form part of these accounts.

Capital Grant-in-Aid Financing – DETI - 11 11 Funding of Staff and Operating Expenditure – - 5,446 5,446 Request for Resource B – DETI Funding of Programme Expenditure – Request - 966 966 for Resource B – DETI Grants from Sponsoring department for - 6,423 6,423 2013-14

Non-cash charges - 508 508 Comprehensive Expenditure for the year - (6,869) (6,869) Movement in reserves - - - Total recognised Income and expense for - (6,361) (6,361) 2013-14

Balance at 31st March 2014 - 231 231

Changes in taxpayers’ equity for 2014-15

Capital Grant-in-Aid Financing – DETI - 40 40 Funding of Staff and Operating Expenditure – - 5,619 5,619 Request for Resource B – DETI Funding of Programme Expenditure – Request - 858 858 for Resource B - DETI Grants from Sponsoring department for - 6,517 6,517 2014-15

Non-cash charges - 534 534 Comprehensive Expenditure for the year - (6,972) (6,972) Movement in reserves - - - Total recognised Income and expense for - (6,438) (6,438) 2014-15

Balance at 31st March 2015 - 310 310

118 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 119 Notes to the Executive’s Accounts

1. Statement of Accounting Policies 1.4. Intangible Assets These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 2014-15 Computer Software Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). The accounting policies contained in the FReM apply The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment acquired a Case Management International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adapted or interpreted for the System (CMS) in 2005-06 for use by HSENI. This CMS system was retrospectively public sector context. Where the FReM permits a choice of accounting policy, the capitalised in the 08-09 year under IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The useful economic life accounting policy which is judged to be most appropriate to the particular of the asset was estimated at 6 years to March 2012. This system is still in use within circumstances of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) for the HSENI but work has begun to procure a replacement system. purpose of giving a true and fair view has been selected. The particular policies adopted by HSENI are described below. They have been applied consistently in HSENI acquired the accounting software, Microsoft Dynamics NAV in 2009-10. dealing with items that are considered material to the accounts. The useful economic life of the asset was estimated at 4 years to March 2014. The system is still in use within HSENI. Management has reviewed new accounting standards that have been issued but are not yet effective, nor adopted early, for these accounts. Management consider that These assets are recorded at fair value, as calculated using the Depreciated these are unlikely to have any significant impact on the accounts in the period of Replacement Cost method (DRC). Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis. initial application. Intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment and are carried at fair value.

1.1. Accounting Convention 1.5. Operating Income These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention modified to Operating income represents fees charged to businesses for licences and account for the revaluation of intangible assets. attendance at conferences and is recognised in the period in which performance is satisfied. 1.2. Property, Plant and Equipment 1.6. Fees and Charges The assets of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland are carried at fair value. Depreciated historical cost is used as a proxy for fair value for all of the HSENI obtains income from the following services in parity with Great Britain (GB): organisation’s tangible assets given their low values and short useful lives. The minimum level of capitalisation of property, plant and equipment is £1,000. Medical Examinations by EMAS, Asbestos Licensing and GMO Permits. COMAH income is obtained on a full cost recovery basis. 1.3. Depreciation Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less All these relate to services costing less than £1,000,000. estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: This information is provided for Fees and Charges purposes, not for IFRS 8 Transport equipment - 25% straight line purposes.

Furniture & fittings - 25% straight line.

120 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 121 1.7. Leases Budget for Programme Expenditure, being HSENI spend on health & safety programmes, campaigns and events, is obtained from DETI as a cash drawdown Leases are classified as operating lease contracts whenever the terms of the lease and is administered from within HSENI on the organisation’s own finance system. do not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits to the lessee.

Rentals payable under operating leases are expensed to the net expenditure account 1.10. Value Added Tax on a straight-line basis over the lease term. HSENI does not charge output VAT on income and is ineligible to reclaim input VAT on programme expenditure. Therefore all programme expenditure is inclusive of VAT. 1.8. Financial Instruments Staff and Operating expenditure is exclusive of VAT as it is administered by DETI on Cash and cash equivalents HSENI’s behalf. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand. 1.11. Pensions Trade and other receivables Past and present employees are covered by the provisions of the NICS pension arrangements. The rate for the employer’s contribution is set by the Government Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are recognised and carried at the Actuary and for 2014-15 was dependent on salary range. All contributions are lower of their original invoiced value and recoverable amount. A bad debt provision charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure as incurred. is made when there is objective evidence that the recoverable amount is less than the original invoiced value. Balances are written off when the probability of recovery 1.12. Operating Segments is assessed as being remote. The Chief Operating Decision Maker considers HSENI as one operating unit in Trade and other payables making decisions. Management information is generated on a holistic basis for the organisation. Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value. 1.13. Staff Costs 1.9. Grant-in-Aid Under IAS19 Employee Benefits, all staff costs must be recorded as an expense as Grant-in-Aid financing is credited to the general reserve in the year that it is received. soon as the organisation is obligated to pay them. This includes the cost of any untaken leave as at the year end. The cost of untaken leave has been determined HSENI is funded in two distinct ways, both of which are considered to be with reference to cost and leave balance information held by HRConnect at the year Programme expenditure within the NI Block grant and are treated as Grant-in-Aid as end. defined above.

Budget for Staff and Operating Expenditure within HSENI is retained by DETI on behalf of HSENI and used to administer this type of expenditure through HSENI’s existence as a separate cost centre within DETI’s finance system. Payments are approved by HSENI budgetholders but the payment is made from DETI’s bank account. HSENI is accountable for the level and propriety of spend but does not physically receive the cash funding. Due to the nature of this arrangement, the Grant-in-Aid associated with this budget matches the level of expenditure.

122 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 123 2. Staff numbers and related costs Employees can opt to open a partnership pension account, a stakeholder pension with an employer contribution. No employees have exercised this option. 2 (a) Staff costs comprise: No exit packages were paid during the year (2013-14 Nil). 2014-15 2013-14 Permanently Others Total Total No persons (2013-14: two) retired early on ill-health grounds; the total additional employed accrued pension liabilities in the year amounted to £nil (2013-14: £7,328.17). staff £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 2 (c) Average number of persons employed: Wages and salaries 3,967 48 4,015 3,822 The average number of whole-time equivalent persons, including senior Social security costs 314 - 314 309 management, employed during the year was as follows: Other pension costs 783 - 783 745 5,064 48 5,112 4,876 2013-14 2012-13 Permanent Others Total Total 2 (b) Pension arrangements: staff Directly employed 116 - 116 113 The Northern Ireland Civil Service pension arrangements are unfunded multi- Other 1 1 2 2 employer defined benefit schemes but HSENI is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities. The most up to date actuarial valuation was carried Total 117 1 118 115 out as at 31 March 2012. This valuation is then reviewed by the Scheme Actuary and updated to reflect current conditions and rolled forward to the reporting date of the DFP Superannuation and Other Allowances Resource Accounts as at 31 March 2015.

For 2014-15, employers’ contributions of £782,679 were payable to the NICS pension arrangements (2013-14 £744,896) at one of four rates in the range 18% to 25% of pensionable pay, based on salary bands. The scheme’s Actuary reviews employer contributions every four years following a full scheme valuation. A new scheme funding valuation based on data as at 31 March 2012 was completed by the Actuary during 2014-15. This valuation was used to determine employer contribution rates for the introduction of a new career average earning scheme from April 2015. From 2015-16, the new rates will range from 20.8% to 26.3%. The contribution rates are set to meet the cost of the benefits accruing during 2014-15 to be paid when the member retires, and not the benefits paid during this period to existing pensioners.

124 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 125 3. Other Expenditure 4. Income

2013-14 2012-13 2014-15 2013-14 Notes £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Advertising and publicity 559 661 Licence, subscription and conference fees 23 36 Motor and travel expenses 167 201 Other income 13 21 Inspection and enforcement 122 146 36 57 Staff training 89 100 Other Staff Related Costs 74 65 Other income relates to fees and charges, recovery of legal costs and income from events and workshops. Printing, postage and stationery 44 46 Contract cleaning 21 26 5. Property, plant and equipment Heat and light 19 21 Scientific services 25 16 2014/15 Transport Furniture & Total Office maintenance 11 11 equipment fittings £’000 £’000 £’000 Telephone 54 45 Cost or valuation Recruitment costs 4 9 At 1 April 2014 23 343 366 Rentals under operating leases 11 11 Additions 24 13 37 Internal audit and accountancy 12 13 Disposals - (16) (16) Research 10 11 At 31 March 2015 47 340 387 Car parking 9 11 Premises costs 26 34 Depreciation Catering and hospitality 2 6 At 1 April 2014 23 289 312 IT costs 8 6 Charged in year - 20 20 Staff equipment 10 22 Disposals - (16) (16) Auditor’s remuneration 11 9 At 31 March 2015 23 293 316 Legal fees 40 40 Carrying amount at 31 March 2015 24 47 71 Staff development 11 7 Carrying amount at 31 March 2014 - 54 54 Other expenditure* 2 1 Non-cash items Asset financing: Depreciation 5 20 21 Owned 24 47 71 Amortisation 6 - 3 Carrying amount at 31 March 2014 24 47 71 Notional accommodation charge 505 488 Notional Departmental Solicitors Office charge 30 20 1,896 2,050

* Other expenditure includes an ex-gratia payment of £250 made to a staff member in relation to damage to property

126 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 127 Given that the assets of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland have 6. Intangible assets short useful lives and are of low values, depreciated historical cost has been used as a proxy for fair value. HSENI owns all its assets. Intangible assets comprise a Case Management System (CMS) to store relevant data on Health & Safety investigations and the accounting software, Microsoft Dynamics 2013/14 Transport Furniture & Total NAV, which is used to administer HSENI’s programme expenditure. equipment fittings £’000 £’000 £’000 Information Technology Cost or valuation 2014/15 Total At 1 April 2013 23 332 355 £’000 Valuation Additions - 11 11 At 1 April 2014 210 Disposals - - - Additions - At 31 March 2014 23 343 366 Revaluations - Depreciation At 31 March 2015 210 At 1 April 2013 23 268 291 Amortisation Charged in year - 21 21 At 1 April 2013 210 Disposals - - - Charged in year - At 31 March 2014 23 289 312 Revaluations -

Carrying amount at 31 March 2014 - 54 54 At 31 March 2015 210 Carrying amount at 31 March 2015 - Carrying amount at 31 March 2013 - 64 64 Carrying amount at 31 March 2014 - Asset financing: Asset financing: Owned - 54 54 Owned - Carrying amount at 31 March 2014 - 54 54 Carrying amount at 31 March 2015 -

128 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 129 HSENI values its intangible assets at 31st March using the Depreciated Replacement 7. Financial Instruments Cost method. It is estimated by restating the value annually by reference to indices compiled by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). As the cash requirements of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) are met through Grant-in-Aid provided by the Department of Enterprise, Total Trade and Investment, financial instruments play a more limited role in creating and managing risk than would apply to a non-public sector body. The majority of financial £’000 instruments relate to contracts to buy non-financial items in line with HSENI’s Valuation expected purchase and usage requirements and HSENI is therefore exposed to little At 1 April 2013 210 credit, liquidity or market risk. Additions - Revaluations - 8. Trade receivables and other current assets At 31 March 2014 210 2014-15 2013-14 Amortisation £’000 £’000 At 1 April 2013 207 Amounts falling due within one year: Charged in year 3 Trade receivables 18 10 Revaluations - Other receivables* 192 173 At 31 March 2014 210 Prepayments and accrued income 53 18 Carrying amount at 31 March 2014 - Total 263 201 Carrying amount at 31 March 2013 3 *Other receivables relates to an Intergovernmental debtor with DETI in relation to the Department’s Asset financing: agreement to honour HSENI Staff & Operating Expenditure accruals and prepayments. Owned - Carrying amount at 31st March 2014 - 8.1 Intra-Government Balances

2014-15 2013-14 £’000 £’000 Amounts falling due within one year Balances with other central government bodies 222 173 Balances with bodies external to government 41 28 Total receivables at 31 March 263 201

130 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 131 9. Cash and cash equivalents 11. Provisions for liabilities and charges

2014-15 2013-14 HSENI has entered into the following unquantifiable contingent liabilities. £’000 £’000 Restated* Voluntary Exit Scheme (VES) Balance at 1 April 398 361 The Northern Ireland Civil Service launched a Voluntary Exit Scheme (VES) across all Net change in cash and cash equivalent balances 123 37 departments on 2 March 2015. The closing date for applications was 27 March Balance at 31 March 521 398 2015. At the balance sheet date, there is a possible obligation on HSENI which may The following balances at 31 March were held at: give rise to a liability should any of HSENI’s employees apply and be successful. It is not possible, at the balance sheet date, to quantify what this potential liability may Commercial banks and cash in hand 521 398 be. Balance at 31 March 521 398 12. Commitments under leases 10. Trade payables and other current liabilities 12.1. Operating leases 2014-15 2013-14 Total future minimum lease payments under operating leases are given in the table £’000 £’000 below for each of the following periods. Restated* Amounts falling due within one year 2014-15 2013-14 Trade payables - - £’000 £’000 Accruals and deferred income* 545 422 Obligations under operating leases comprise: Total 545 422 Buildings: Not later than one year - 11 10.1 Intra-Government Balances Later than one year and not later than five years - - Later than five years - - 2014-15 2013-14 - 11 £’000 £’000 Restated* Amounts falling due within one year Other central government bodies 117 61 Local authorities 6 6 Public Corporations & Trading Funds - 1 Intra-government balances 123 68 Bodies external to government 422 354 Total 545 422

*The 2013-14 comparative has been adjusted to include PPSNI charges in Other central government bodies. These were previously included as Bodies external to government in error.

132 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 133 HSENI entered into a lease agreement with Lancer Buildings Ltd on 10th November 2010, for the rental of offices in Omagh. This was a five year lease effective from Appendices 19th February 2010, with the possibility of extension for a further three years. Negotiations are ongoing in relation to the extension of this lease.

12.2. Finance leases HSENI does not hold any finance leases.

13. Related Party Transactions The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is regarded as a related party. During the year, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland has had various material transactions with the Department and with other entities for which the Department is regarded as the parent Department, viz:

Invest Northern Ireland;

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board; and

The General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

In addition, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland has had a small number of transactions with other government departments and other central government bodies. Most of these transactions have been with the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.

No board member, key manager or other related parties has undertaken any material transactions with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland during the year.

14. Events after the reporting period Since 31 March 2015, applications for the Voluntary Exit Scheme have been processed and communications have issued to staff. Exits through the Scheme will be dependent on confirmation of funding and the value of any potential liability is still to be determined. This is a non-adjusting event and consequently, the 2014/15 accounts have not been adjusted. It is expected that payments to settle this liability will be made during the 2015/16 financial year.

The Accounting Officer authorised the issue of these financial statements on 29 June 2015.

134 Annual Report 2014–2015 135 Appendix 1: HSENI Organisation Structure 2014/15 Appendix 2

Fatal Accidents 2014-2015 Chief Executive (Total =23; HSENI enforcement responsibility only)

Agriculture

Occupation Employment Description/General Location Date of (Age) Category Accident SPECIALIST OPERATIONS & SERVICES SECTORS INVESTIGATIONS Farmer (64) Self-employed Died after falling from scaffolding in Clady. 29/04/14 DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION Welder (23) Member of Public Died after being trapped in a confined space 16/05/14 resulting in asphyxia. Found beside silage pit in Newry. N/A (8) Member of Public Died after being overcome by slurry gas in 07/06/14 Employment Human Resources/ Dunloy. Medical Advisory Agriculture & Food Finance Farmer (72) Member of Public Died after a fall which resulted in a head 12/06/14 Service injury from striking a piece of machinery in Garrison. Farmer (81) Self-employed Died after being struck by a reversing tractor 24/06/14 Mental Wellbeing in Pomeroy. Corporate Support/ at Work Advisory Construction Farmer (70) Self-employed Died after a tree being cut up rolled on top of 27/10/14 Local Authority Unit him in Crossgar. (died 29/10/14) Service Farmer (71) Self-employed Died after being attacked by cattle in 29/11/14 Ballinamallard. Farmer (76) Self-employed Died after being crushed by a tractor in 20/03/15 Legislation/ Extractive Downpatrick. Transport & Utilities IAS/OSU Industries Farmer (56) Member of Public Died after falling off a ladder in Limavady. 26/03/15

Construction

Occupation Employment Description/General Location Date of Health, Social Care Health and Safety Major Investigation (Age) Category Accident & Education Works NI Team Roofer (44) Employed Died after falling from a roof in Newtownards. 28/05/14 (died 29/05/14) Roofer (58) Self-employed Died after falling from a roof in Belfast. 02/06/14 Public Sector Construction Employed Died after being struck on the head in 06/11/14 Scientific Services & Waste Worker (35) Londonderry. (died 07/11/14) Construction Employed Died after being trapped under an excavator 06/01/15 Worker (21) in Strabane. Construction Employed Died after falling through a roof in 20/01/15 Worker (57) Portadown. Major Hazards Manufacturing & Gas

136 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 137 Appendix 3: Prosecutions 2014/15

Transport & Utilities The Board of Governors of He had been with the company for Bloomfield Collegiate School seven weeks and had not received Occupation Employment Description/General Location Date of proper training in maintenance and (Age) Category Accident The Board of Governors of Bloomfield servicing of machines. Collegiate School was fined £7,500 Window Self-employed Died after falling off a ladder in Dromore. 20/08/14 plus costs of £1,750 at Belfast Crown Robert Ian Hamilton Cleaner (53) Court on 14 May 2014 when they Transport Owner Died after falling off the top of a lorry in 19/12/14 pleaded guilty to three breaches of Pomeroy farmer, Robert Ian Hamilton, Owner (69) Dromara. health and safety legislation: Regulation was fined £5,000 plus costs of £963 at N/A (48) Member of Public Died after being trapped under a bus in 29/12/14 4(1) of the Control of Asbestos Dungannon Crown Court on 30 Lisburn. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and September 2014 after he pleaded guilty Articles 4(1) and 5(1) of the Health and at an earlier hearing to two breaches of Extractive Industries Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order health and safety legislation: Article 4(1) 1978. The case relates to the of the Health and Safety at Work Occupation Employment Description/General Location Date of management of asbestos in the former (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and (Age) Category Accident preparatory school building at Regulation 6 of the Work at Height Bloomfield Collegiate. HSENI was Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005. N/A (59) Member of Public Died after being crushed by the bucket of an 23/08/14 alerted to issues in relation to the The case relates to an incident on 13 excavator in Coleraine. condition of asbestos in the building January 2014 when an employee of Mr Quarry Owner Owner Died after drowning at a quarry in Omagh. 05/03/15 and an investigation in May 2012 Hamilton suffered severe injuries after (57) confirmed the presence of damaged falling 3.2 metres (10.5 ft) from the top Quarry Worker Employed Died after being run over by a vehicle in 13/03/15 asbestos in the building. of a mobile feed mixer. The incident (62) Knockloughrim. occurred as a result of an unsafe Eglinton (Timber Products) Limited system of work. The farm worker was Other in the process of loading molasses into Eglinton (Timber Products) Limited was the feed mixer through an opening at Occupation Employment Description/General Location Date of fined £8,000 plus costs of £1,500 at the top. To do this he had to climb up (Age) Category Accident Derry Crown Court on 3 June 2014 the side and onto the top of the feed after previously pleading guilty to a mixer in order to open and close valves Forklift Employed Died after being crushed by a forklift that 02/08/14 breach of Article 4 of the Health and Operator (49) overturned in Nutts Corner, Crumlin. which regulated the flow of molasses. Safety at Work Order (NI) 1978 (Duties On this occasion the employee fell from Operative (63) Employed Died after being trapped in a conveyor belt in 05/03/15 to Employees). The case arose following Belfast. (died 19/03/15) the top of the mixer, suffering multiple an incident on 25 July 2013 at the head and body injuries. N/A (84) Member of Public Died after a fall in hospital in Londonderry. 10/03/15 company’s premises in Eglinton, Co Derry. A 22 year old man became trapped after coming into contact with a rotating cog mechanism of a timber processing machine as he was attempting to adjust the position of the cog. As a result, his hand was instantly amputated by the machine parts.

138 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 139 Abbey Roofing Specialists Limited A Diamond and Son (Timber) Ltd A number of workers had elevated lead in blood concentrations, with one Newtownabbey based company, A Diamond and Son (Timber) Ltd was having a blood lead level above that Abbey Roofing Specialists Limited, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on which would require him to be fined £9,000 plus costs of £1,500 at 28 January 2015 for criminal safety suspended from working with lead. Laganside Crown Court on 12 failings that led to the death of a 54 November 2014 after pleading guilty to year old employee. The company G & J Crothers four breaches of health and safety pleaded guilty to a breach of corporate legislation: Article 4(1) of the Health and manslaughter and was fined £75,000 G & J Crothers received a fine of Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order plus £15,832 costs at Antrim Crown £22,500 plus costs of £1,500 on 12 1978, Regulation 6 of the Control of Court. The judgement followed a joint February 2015 at Laganside Courts Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) PSNI and Health and Safety Executive after pleading guilty to a breach of 2012, Regulation 10 of the Control of for Northern Ireland (HSENI) Article 4(1) of the Health and Safety at Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) investigation into the fatal incident, Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978). 2012 and Regulation 11 of the Control which took place on 27 September The case relates to an incident on 29 of Asbestos Regulations (Northern 2012. The employee was carrying out a June 2013 which led to the death of a Ireland) 2012. The case relates to an repair to a large automated machine 39 year old employee. G & J Crothers incident on 24 June 2013 when a 54 when the accident occurred. Power to had undertaken to remove and replace year old employee of the roofing the machine had not been tin roofing sheets from an agricultural contractor suffered multiple injuries after disconnected and during the work the type outbuilding. During the work, the falling over three metres through machine moved, crushing and fatally employee stepped on a sheet that was asbestos cement roof sheeting. Abbey injuring the employee. not fixed in place, resulting in him falling Roofing Specialists had been approximately four metres. contracted to strip the roof sheets from B A Shaw Contractors Ltd a large garage, situated on Beechill Park Avenue, Belfast. The incident B A Shaw Contractors Ltd received a fine occurred as a result of an unsafe of £2,500 plus £49 costs and a £15 system of work combined with a lack of offender levy at Downpatrick Magistrates onsite supervision. Abbey Roofing Court on 2 February 2015 for failure to Specialists Limited had not carried out protect employees’ health while working a suitable and sufficient risk with lead paint. The company pleaded assessment before starting the work, guilty to the following breaches: Articles which if completed would have set out 4 and 5 of the Health and Safety at how to remove the asbestos roof Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and sheets safely. Neither had the company Regulations 5 and 6 of the Control of taken the necessary precautions to limit Lead at Work Regulations (Northern the exposure to asbestos or provided Ireland) 2003. The work resulted in adequate training for its employees workers inhaling and ingesting lead who could have been exposed to dust over several months during 2012. asbestos fibres. One employee required hospitalisation due to exposure to lead.

140 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 141 Notes Notes

142 Annual Report 2014–2015 Annual Report 2014–2015 143 Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FR, Northern Ireland Telephone: (028) 9024 3249 Helpline: 0800 0320 121 Textphone: (028) 9054 6896 Facsimile: (028) 9023 5383 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hseni.gov.uk

A large type version of this text is available on request from HSENI. The text of this document is also available on the HSENI website: www.hseni.gov.uk ISBN 978-1-906452-24-7