December Safety Focus

This week, we launched our December Safety Focus Campaign. As we get closer to the festive season, let’s stay focused on what truly matters: returning home safe from work each day. The shorter days and the hustle and bustle of this month can lead to fatigue, making it even more crucial to keep safety at the forefront of our minds and ensure an incident and injury-free workplace. Our December Safety Focus Campaign highlights essential safety messages that focus on making the right choices for your safety at work, on the road, at home, and for your health and wellbeing.

Throughout the month, to give back to our communities, we’re fundraising for RMHC Ireland across all our sites and offices, which has supported 500 families of sick children since 2004.

We wish everyone in the construction industry a safe countdown to Christmas. We thank our dedicated teams and supply chain partners for consistently making safety your number one focus throughout the year.

Construction Safety Campaign Roundup

As a proud Gold Sponsor of this year’s CIF Ireland Construction Safety Campaign, we’ve spent the month advancing safety across our sites through events, guest speakers, training, initiatives, and competitions.

Thanks to everyone who got involved and our EHS team for organising the calendar of events. The feedback, positive uptake, and engagement from our staff, supply chain and clients has been impressive!

blood pressure monitor industry talks on big screen discussion about heart disease high vis staff gathered around digger

Hand Safety Talk

This week, we’ve continued to spotlight critical risk awareness with one of our focused topics being hand safety – an essential part of our daily routines.

Our Project Manager, Gary, shared a powerful story with the team. Back in 2011, while working on a fishing trawler, he suffered a serious hand injury. His story isn’t just about physical recovery but sheds light on the mental and financial toll an injury can take on you and your loved ones.

Our hands are constantly in use, from gripping a tool to typing on a keyboard or using a phone. Let’s make sure we’re always protecting them by:
✅ Using the right equipment
✅ Following proper safety procedures
✅ Keeping hands out of the “line of fire”

Hands For Life

At PJ Hegarty, health and safety goes beyond our construction sites. This October, we proudly participated in the Irish Heart Foundation Hands for Life programme.

Did you know 13 people die from cardiac arrest every day? CPR can double the chances of survival, and through this vital programme, free CPR training is being offered to 100,000 people across Ireland. Whether at work or home, knowing these life-saving skills could make all the difference. Training courses will take place in local community centres, clubs, and libraries across Ireland over the next two years. The training course takes just under one hour to complete, and attendees will learn:

  • How to recognise a cardiac arrest
  • How to perform compressions
  • How to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
  • How to respond to a choking emergency
  • How to recognise a stroke

For more information and to sign up for a free Hands for Life training course in your area, visit www.HandsForLife.ie.

PJ Hegarty is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and ensuring our people know how to respond to a health emergency.

hands for life brochure hands for life cpr training

CIF Safety Campaign – Working From Heights Talk

Yesterday, as part of the CIF Safety Campaign 2024, we were honoured to host Marian Deasy as she shared the heartbreaking story of her son Lorcan, who tragically lost his life falling from a height in his workplace in 2018. Marian’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety, especially when working at heights. Marian’s words resonated with us all: “That attitude of ‘ah sure it’ll be alright’ cannot be accepted.”

Working at height poses one of the most significant risks on any construction site and by correctly mitigating for work at height risks, we can ensure everyone gets home safe, every day.

marian deasy giving talk on construction safety month listening to construction safety talk

CIF Construction Safety Campaign 2024

We are delighted to once again be a Gold Sponsor for the CIF Construction Safety Campaign. This year’s campaign theme focuses on critical risks and how we take proactive steps to reduce and eliminate these risks. We have various initiatives, talks, and demonstrations planned for the two week campaign.

We encourage everyone to take part in this years campaign and look forward to seeing what our staff take from our planned activities and events.

Pieta – Know the Signs

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, Pieta House gave an informative talk to our team about suicide prevention.

The session provided vital insights into the risk factors and myths surrounding suicide, along with practical tips on how to recognise warning signs in those who may be struggling. Pieta also guided our team on how to offer support and encourage professional help for anyone in need.

We all play a role in supporting mental health and breaking the stigma, and we are proud to support Pieta in the vital work they do year-round.

Lighthouse Construction #MakeItVisible Campaign

Last week at our Waterfront project in Dublin, we welcomed Dale and Ray from the Lighthouse Club as part of the #MakeitVisible campaign.

Dale and Ray delivered two impactful talks on our site. They shared personal stories about their mental health journeys and the importance of recognising and supporting others who may need help by referring them to the Lighthouse charity. Their stories shed light on the challenges people face within the industry and emphasised the vital support available through the charity for industry members and their families.

To learn more about the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and the services they provide, visit their website www.lighthouseclub.org

 

The UV Index

Our EHS and site team from West Pharma collaborated with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to deliver a strong message on sun protection for all outdoor workers and employers this summer. The HSA is urging employers and employees nationwide to take proactive measures to protect themselves from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Employees are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their sun safety by:

  • Wearing protective gear
  • Using sunscreen
  • Seeking shade
  • Staying hydrated

For further information and guidance, visit www.hsa.ie

Men’s Health Week 2024

This week, for Men’s Health Week, we have been actively engaging our team to raise awareness about men’s health issues and promote healthier lifestyle choices. The overall aims of the week are to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages, support men and boys in engaging in healthier lifestyle choices and encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

Here are some of the activities we conducted:

  • Rory’s Stories: We were delighted to have Rory’s Stories discuss mental health and share valuable insights with our team.
  • Know Your Numbers: To support the HSE and Men’s Health Forum 2024 initiative, we encouraged everyone to familiarise themselves with their vital health numbers.
  • Prevention is Better than Cure: We emphasised the importance of regular health check-ups.
  • Rethink What You Drink: Raising awareness about the impact of alcohol consumption and promoting healthier drinking habits.
  • Get Physical: Encouraging physical activity.
  • Food for Thought: Highlighting the importance of healthy eating.
  • Mind Fit: Focusing on mental health awareness.
  • Trash the Ash: Promoting quit smoking and its benefits.

Find out more information on Men’s Health Week here: https://www.mhfi.org/