Latest news with #Assessment
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Ask a solicitor: Does it really matter if I haven't done a risk assessment?
Dear Karen, I am operating a dairy farm and am self-employed with no employees. I obviously have family members come onto the farm from time to time, and contractors etc. I know I am supposed to have a health and safety statement in place and Risk Assessment Document, but I have kept putting it off. What it is the importance of this? Dear reader, Health and Safety in Ireland is governed by a combination of Common Law (Judge Made Law) and statute. The main legislation providing for the health and safety of people in the workplace is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 as amended by the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. It should be noted that most farmers across the country are self-employed and even though reference is made to employers throughout the 2005 Act, it is still applicable to the self-employed farmer. The 2005 Act also applies not only to employees but also to persons coming on to the farm, for example, self-employment people in the course of their work, such as veterinarians, artificial inseminations technicians and milk lorry drivers. The 2005 Act places a legal duty on every person controlling a place of work to identify hazards at that place of work. The 2005 Act does not define 'hazards' or 'risks', but commentary in the area suggests that a hazard refers to the potential to cause harm which could be caused either by a machine or chemical substances. The term 'risk' refers to the likelihood of harm taking place, and of course the number of persons at risk of exposure to the hazard. The risk assessment is an invaluable mechanism which should provide a systematic informed evaluation of the risks or dangers associated with tasks performed in the course of work. The case of Miles vs Parsons provides a useful example of the importance of a risk assessment. In this case, a 14-year-old girl was employed by a newsagent to deliver newspapers on her bicycle. However, during the course of her duties, she was injured in a road traffic accident when a vehicle hit her as she was cycling across a busy road. The court took the view that the newsagents were 60% negligent due to the absence of a risk assessment document. The court also found that the newsagent had failed to adequately assess the paper delivery route by taking into consideration the traffic conditions or the general safety implications of the paper round. The court further stated that the newsagent should have planned and prepared an order of delivery that effectively minimised the crossing of the road. The 2005 Act requires that every employer put in place a statement in writing setting out how the safety health and welfare employees is to be secured. It is integral in ensuring the safe operation of the workplace, assisting in the identification of hazards and highlighting the protective and preventive measures put in place for the purpose of safeguarding all workers. However, it should be noted that where there are three or less employees, there are less stringent requirements to maintain up-to-date safety statement and instead, allows an alternative solution by observing the code of practice for Preventing Injury and Occupational Ill Health in Agriculture. Consequently, it is vital that farmers familiarise themselves with the Code of Practice which will enable them to identify potential hazards, assess the risks of each hazard and identify measures that can be put in place to prevent an accident or reduce its impact. This can be achieved by, for example, eliminating the hazard, by using artificial insemination instead of keeping a stock bull and reducing the danger, for example, by erecting hazard warning signs and providing personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, etc. Karen Walsh, from a farming background, is a solicitor practising at Walsh & Partners Solicitors, 17 South Mall, Cork, and 88 Main Street, Midleton, Co Cork, and also the author of 'Farming and the Law'. Walsh & Partners also specialises in personal injury claims, conveyancing, probate, and family law. Email: info@ Web: While every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, Karen Walsh does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions howsoever arising. Readers should seek legal advice in relation to their particular circumstances at the earliest opportunity. Read More Ask a solicitor: A contractor fell off a ladder on my farm
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Summer job rules every parent needs to know this summer for their child
MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry explores employment law for under-18s considering a summer job Working a summer job is a great way for teenagers to earn some extra cash, gain some work experience, and have some independence. But there are some important laws that parents – and teens – should know about to make sure their employer is sticking to the rules. How long can an under-18 work each week? Children from the age of 14 can work part-time hours (in some areas, this is lowered to 13 – check your local council's education department). Those under 14 may be able to work in exceptional circumstances, such as if they are a performer in TV, theatre, or as a model, and will need a performance licence. Children over school leaving age can work full-time up to 40 hours a week. This is the age of 16 in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In England, children must be in part-time education or training until the age of 18, so can only work part-time hours. How much can under-18s earn? Young people aged 16 and above may be paid through PAYE systems, and once they turn 18 adult employment rights apply. National Minimum Wage rates apply regardless of a person's age. This means employment must meet the minimum hourly rate for their age bracket. For under-18s, that is £7.55 an hour (rising to £10 an hour when they turn 18). So, if you get a job earning £7.55 an hour for twenty hours a week, that would be a gross pay of £151 a week. This would not be enough to qualify for National Insurance or tax contributions, so £151 would be the take-home in most cases. Over-16s need to pay National Insurance if they earn more than £242 a week. They would pay tax when they earn more than the annual Personal Allowance (currently £12,570). Sometimes, for full-time or highly paid summer jobs, this means they may be taxed at first but can claim a refund when the job ends. Can under-18s be self-employed? Yes! Technically, a company director can be appointed to a Limited Company from the age of 16, however it is advisable they are not the sole director. This is because they are legally responsible for company activities, including filing with Companies House and tax returns. Under-18s also don't have legal capacity to enter into certain contracts such as with suppliers, and will not be able to apply for financial business support or business bank accounts. Under-18s can operate as sole traders, and will need to register with HMRC for Self Assessment if they will earn more than £1000 (the Trading Allowance). They will need to submit a tax return every year to HMRC, and keep accurate accounting records to do so. They won't pay tax on their income if it is below the Personal Allowance of £12,570 each year, after business expenses. They may be required to pay National Insurance contributions. Safe work environment awareness If a job requires operating heavy machinery or toxic chemicals, the workplace must provide relevant training and supervision. There may be some parts of the job that an under-18 cannot do, such as operating dangerous machinery. They cannot be discriminated against for their age in the work environment. An employer must provide relevant health and safety training to every employee, regardless of their age. This includes a responsibility to work within reasonable hours. For most employment for under-18s, this means no scheduled work between 10pm – 6am, with some exceptions such as creative work (like being a theatre actor), healthcare, or retail. This only applies if there are no adult workers available to do the work. It is illegal for any under-18 to work between midnight and 4am, regardless of their job or industry type. There must be a 12-hour rest break in any 24-hour period in which they work, and any shift over 4.5 hours must include a half hour break (paid or unpaid). Each week must also include a continuous 48-hr (two-day) rest break. When working late, an employer has a duty of care to under-18s to ensure they have the supervision of an adult employee where possible and necessary. They shouldn't be left alone unless there is nobody else to do the job. Under-18s working on alcohol licenced premises Local councils set their own rules about under-18s working in pubs, cafes, restaurants and event venues that serve alcohol. Usually, they are permitted to serve alcohol but this may be restricted to only bottled or canned drinks. Make sure teens know HR policies Summer jobs are often the first time young people will come into regular contact with hierarchies and colleagues and customers of all ages. This can mean they are unsure how to handle difficult situations where they feel uncomfortable. It might be that they feel a colleague or customer is being inappropriate with them. Or, they may not realise that someone is acting inappropriately, such as using a managerial position to pressure them into social engagements outside of work which they don't want to attend. Make sure your teen knows the policies of the company they work for, including grievance policies. You should also ensure they are aware of creating boundaries between work and personal life, and that it is OK to have them. Create a safe space for your teen to talk about work, and pay attention to anything they say which sounds like a senior colleague is being inappropriate or they are put into unsafe situations with customers. Saving summer job cash Under-18s can access savings accounts for children, so if they already have a Junior ISA it's a great idea to encourage them to save some of their summer job earnings into it. If they don't yet have an ISA or savings account, now is the time to talk to them about the importance of creating a financial safety net early on, and to help them find a bank account that suits them. Some parents also choose to use their teen's first earning opportunity as a way to teach them about life skills. Take some time to explain what their payslip means, how National Insurance works, and tax basics. You might also help them learn about budgeting, breaking down their weekly or monthly earnings into savings and spending pots based on their expenses. Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.
Cision Canada
19-06-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area -- Participant Funding Available
OTTAWA, ON, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Funding provided by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is now available to help Indigenous Peoples and the public participate in the conduct phase of the co-led Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area. The Ring of Fire area is located about 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The purpose of the Regional Assessment is to provide information on key priorities of importance in the assessment area and provide an analysis of the potential positive and negative effects, including cumulative and interactive effects due to possible development activities throughout the assessment area. The regional assessment may be used to inform and improve future impact assessments and decisions in the Ring of Fire area. The conduct phase of the regional assessment started in early 2025. During this phase, there may be the opportunity to participate in engagement activities such as information and technical sessions, and review and provide comments on IAAC's chapter for the regional assessment final report. Applications received by July 21, 2025, will be considered. For more information about the regional assessment and funding, including eligibility criteria and the application form, please visit the project home page on the Registry website, reference number 80468, and click on "Participant Funding." You can also contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to [email protected] or by calling 1-866-582-1884. Virtual Information Sessions On behalf of the Regional Assessment Working Group, IAAC will host virtual information sessions to answer questions about participant funding and discuss public participation opportunities throughout the assessment. Sign up for notifications on the assessment webpage located on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry or email us at [email protected] to be alerted on dates and times of upcoming information sessions. Stay updated on this project by following IAAC on X: @IAAC_AEIC #RingofFire The working group co-leading this regional assessment comprises IAAC and the following First Nation Partners: Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Constance Lake First Nation, Eabametoong First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Moose Cree First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation, Webequie First Nation, and Weenusk First Nation. Administrative support is provided by Matawa and Mushkegowuk Councils.
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Business Standard
15-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
41% of respondents incorporated Yoga into their lifestyle: Ayush survey
Over 41 per cent of the respondents have incorporated Yoga into their lifestyle to a certain extent after a decade of the UN's declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, according to a survey report by the Ayush ministry. The survey, which covered 30,084 households across 34 states and UTs including urban and rural areas, noted that 24,6 per cent respondents reported improved fitness due to Yoga, 16.9 per cent experienced reduction in stress levels, while around one-fourth respondents claimed to have gained health knowledge. Titled 'Impact Assessment of a Decade of International Day of Yoga (IDY): Survey Findings', the survey revealed that 11.2 per cent practice yoga regularly, 13.4 per cent occasionally and 75.5 per cent do not practice yoga. Dr Raghavendra Rao, Director of CCRYN explained, "These 11.2 per cent people who practice Yoga regularly have been measured as those who go to yoga classes and attend sessions regularly. When we say that over 41 per cent have adopted yoga into their lifestyle it means that they practice yoga in different forms such as bhakti yoga (prayer) or meditation and self practices to calm down the mind," he said. The findings of the survey conducted by Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy and Surveykshan, a company under YOLO 9 Technologies were released on Saturday. The survey data revealed that 12.6 per cent respondents in urban areas practice yoga regularly while the figure for rural areas is 10.4 per cent. In terms of gender, 11. 6 per cent regular practitioners are male while 10.7 per cent are female. Awareness about yoga was found to be highest among 18-24 age group. However when it comes to practicing Yoga, those aged 65 and above had the highest share at 17 per cent. Also, 36.2 per cent respondents having different health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and gastric issues practice yoga. The survey also found that 39. 3 per cent respondents have awareness about the common Yoga protocol and that one-third of the respondents (33.4 per cent) have participated in at least one community IDY event over the last decade.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
ASTI members reject Leaving Cert reforms
ASTI members have voted to reject proposals aimed at enabling Leaving Cert reforms, and have also endorsed industrial action. They voted by more than two thirds to reject the document, Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures. With a turnout of 73%, 68% voted against the proposals and 32% voted in favour. In a separate ballot, ASTI members voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, if necessary, in opposition to the accelerated implementation of the reforms. Turnout in that vote was slightly lower at 70%. The ASTI said that the results point to "a lack of confidence in the accelerated Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme as it is currently constituted". Members had, the ASTI said in a statement, delivered "a resounding rejection of the package of implementation support measures on offer from the Department of Education". General Secretary Kieran Christie said that "second-level teachers have real and significant concerns" about the implementation of the proposals. Research the union conducted "shows that a key concern is the lack of resources and capacity in schools", he added. "Furthermore, the supports on offer do little to provide a Senior Cycle experience for all students that addresses the core inequalities that are in place in the second-level system. "The ASTI research also finds that the majority of second-level teachers are concerned about developments in AI, authentication of Additional Assessment Components, and insufficient teacher training in some subject areas. The support package available from the Department fails to sufficiently address these concerns." The ASTI said that it "will continue to be available to engage with the Minister for Education and Youth and her Department in relation to how these and other significant concerns can be addressed".
