Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks

Brendan Barrett, Communications Consultant

The Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023

• The introduction of safety-awareness requirements for workers in the construction sector,
• The establishment of a licensing model for workers, based on an assessment of competence, to replace the accredited training model
• The introduction of skills-based assessment, with no distinction on the basis of environment, merging the assessment and licensing processes for construction and quarrying activities
• A licensing regime for tutors
• An approvals requirement for training organisations conducting certain reserved activities
• The creation of offences for failure to hold the appropriate licence, and associated offences, for contractors and employers.

Fiona Egan, Senior Associate, Arthur Cox

Barriers to Garnering Employee Buy-In and How to Address Them

• Employees may be unaware of the safety hazards they face and less receptive to the changes required to avoid them
• What happens when there is rapid organizational growth and lack of emphasis on safety practices?
• Perceived, or actual, lack of time to follow safety protocols
• Managing - Disinterest in safety issues!
• Handling team members who feel they are invincible - since they haven’t had an incident….YET!
• Lack of management involvement and buy-in from the top.

Veronica Lavelle, Health & Safety Manager, McKeon Group

How to Conduct Risk Assessments and Site Inspections for Construction Safety

• Legal requirements for construction site risk assessments and inspections
• Relevant codes of practice, guidance documents and best practice examples
• The importance of identifying construction site hazards before they cause accidents, ill health, fires or other loss incidents
• Best practice for conducting construction site inspections
• The checklist versus visual inspection debate; which is better for safety?
• Learning from construction site risk assessments and inspections
• Using construction site risk assessments and inspections in legal proceedings

Victor Hyrmak, Lecturer in Environmental Health and Safety, Technological University Dublin

Case Law and Personal Injury Claims

• Case law and personal injury claims related to construction accidents and injuries.
• The legal implications of failing to provide adequate safety measures and precautions

Conor Duff, Barrister at Law, The Law Library

The Importance of Addressing Mental Health in the Construction Industry

• Prevalence of mental health issues in the construction industry, including stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse
• Untreated mental health problems can lead to impaired concentration, fatigue, decreased situational awareness, and increased risk of accidents and injuries on construction sites.
• Productivity and absenteeism:
• Stigma and barriers to seeking help
• Strategies for promoting mental well-being

Natalie Ryan, Lighthouse Regional Ambassador- Ireland

Behavioural Safety Leadership in Construction

• How to create the right environment to influence the appropriate behaviours from managers, supervisors and the workforce
• How to engage in positive health and safety conversations
• How to implement strategies in an organisation to improve safety behaviours
• How to provide constructive feedback to team members

Sonya Meekel – MBA, MSc M.A, BSc Eng, P.G Dip.Proj Man, P.G Dip Ed, C.Eng, M.I.E.I.,Lecturer TU Dublin

Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) - Key Priorities, Responsibilities & Statutory Requirements

Paul Feely, Managing Director, Paul Feely & Associates