Paediatric First Aid – Choking

Paediatric First Aid – Choking article will look into helping a child and infant in case of choking. Choking happens when an object lodges in the throat or windpipe blocking the flow of air. In adults, a piece of food is usually to blame. Young children often choke on small objects. Choking is life-threatening. It cuts off oxygen to the brain.

 

Paediatric First Aid – Choking Child

How to recognise if the Child is choking?

First step is to ask the child if they are choking. Second step is to observe:

• Mild obstruction: Difficulty in speaking, coughing and breathing.
• Severe obstruction: Inability to speak, cough or breathe. Eventual unconsciousness.

 

How to Help Choking Child

Step 1. Encourage Child to Cough

If the child is breathing, encourage her to cough to try to remove the obstruction herself. If this fails, go to step 2.

Step 2. Give Up to Five Back Blows

If the child cannot speak, cough or breathe, bend her forward. Give up to five sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check her mouth. If choking persists, proceed to step 3.

Step 3. Give Up To Five Abdominal Thrusts

Stand behind the child. Put both your arms around her, and put one fist between her navel and the bottom of her breastbone. Grasp your fist with your other hand, and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times. Recheck the child’s mouth.

Step 4. Call For Emergency Help

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the obstruction clears. If after three cycles it still has not cleared, call 999/112 for emergency help. Continue the sequence until help arrives, the obstruction is cleared or the child loses consciousness.

Source: St. John Ambulance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G_0YxMEViE]

 

Paediatric First Aid – Choking Infant

How to recognise if the Child is choking?

With choking infant, it is very important to carefully observe and look for:

• Mild obstruction: Able to cough but difficulty in breathing or making any noise.
• Severe obstruction: Inability to cough, make any noise or breathe. Eventual unconsciousness.

 

How to Help Choking Infant

Step 1. Give Up To Five Back Blows

If the infant is unable to cough or breathe, lay her face down along your thigh, and support her head. Give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

Step 2. Check Infant’s Mouth

Turn the infant over so that she is face up along your other leg and check her mouth. Check the mouth – do not sweep the mouth with your finger. Pick out any obvious obstructions. If choking persists, proceed to step 3.

Step 3. Give Up To Five Chest Thrusts

With the infant still lying on your leg, place two fingertips on the lower half of her breastbone, a finger’s breadth below the nipples. Give up to five sharp thrusts, pushing inwards and downwards, towards the head. Recheck the infant’s mouth.

Step 4. Call For Emergency Help

Repeat steps 1 to 3. If after three cycles the obstruction is still not clear, take the infant with you and call 999/112 for emergency help. Continue the sequence until help arrives, the obstruction is cleared or the infant loses consciousness.

Source: St. John Ambulance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oswDpwzbAV8]

 

Raising Awareness

There are a number of ways in which one can train and refresh their knowledge in Paediatric First Aid. eLearn Safety offers fully online, blended and face-to-face environmental and occupational health and safety courses. One of such courses is Paediatric First Aid course. At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Assess the paediatric patient.
• Perform the CPR on a child and infant.
• Place the child and infant in the recovery position.
• Know how to treat the choking child and infant.
• Stop bleeding.

Furthermore, there are a number of useful resources available online. Such resources are St. John Ambulance and their Paediatric First Aid Get Advice section. This is First Aid advice for children and babies including choking, croup, drowning, head injuries, hypothermia, how to do a primary survey, CPR and the recovery position. In addition, the HSE provides information about how to treat cuts and bleeding in babies and children and when to get medical help via their webpage First aid.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established eLearn Safety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

eLearn Safety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Safe Operation of Mobile Cranes

Safe operation of mobile cranes is not just a good practice, it is a legal requirement. Specifically, two important documents to consider here are:

• I.S. 360 – Code of Practice: Safe Use of Cranes in the Construction Industry.
• I.S. 361 – Code of Practice: Safe Use of Tower Cranes & Self-erecting Cranes.

 

Hazards

Mobile cranes related significant hazards are numerous but mainly:

• Unplanned release or dropping of load, damage to people, equipment or property.
• Overturning of a crane.
• Persons crushed between load and fixture or vehicle.
• Persons crushed between fixtures and moving parts of the crane.
• Striking by falling objects.
• Striking or arcing from overhead power cable.

To ensure safe operation of mobile cranes these hazards must be addressed.

 

Actions to take Before the Crane Use

All lifting operations must be under the control of an appointed person. Planning should consider the weight of the load, radius of lift, overhead clearance, ground conditions, positioning of the crane and lifting equipment required. In addition, relevant test certificates or copies must be kept available for inspection. These must be available before the work starts. Sufficient trained banksmen and slingers must be available. In general, all banksman must be readily identifiable on site by, for example, the distinctive colour of fluorescent jackets or safety helmets.

 

Basic Control Measures to Ensure Safe Operation of Mobile Cranes

Cranes must be positioned on firm ground with stabilisers extended and wooden blocks beneath stabiliser pads. This is regardless of the apparent ground conditions. No person should enter the crane operating area without permission. Furthermore, loads must not be swung over personnel, site huts, buildings or public areas. Lifting equipment must be selected considering the weight and stability of the load. Finally, guide ropes should be used on large loads to guide and steady the lift.

All personnel involved with lifting operations must wear safety helmets, gloves and safety footwear. The PPE must be worn at all times. Telephone/radio communication or the system of hand signals should be used to communicate between the driver and the slingers and banksmen. Another key point to note is that the table of safe working loads for various radii must be clearly visible to the driver. Fitted audible alarm signals must be functioning correctly at all times when the crane is in use. In addition, safety helmets must be worn by all those within the swinging radius of the crane.

 

Role of the Managements

Manufacturer’s information on weight, centre of gravity and slinging arrangements for the load should be obtained in advance where practicable. Lifting operations must be under the control of an appointed person. Banksmen should be used when the driver’s vision of the load is obstructed. Wind conditions should be monitored and work stopped if the stability of the load is affected. The area within the arc of operations should be cleared of personnel. In addition, workers should not be allowed to stand beneath a suspended load. On the whole, all the equipment used must be in date for servicing and statutory inspection.

 

Training Requirements

Supervisors, crane drivers and slingers must be appropriately trained. The appointed persons should be trained and competent in the theory and practice of crane lifting operations and equipment used. To help with raising general workplace safety awareness, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Workplace Safety – Level 1 course. This course is ideal for every employee in any workplace that’s subject to Health & Safety Legislation. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. It provides all employees who participate on this course with information on how to identify hazards and carry out simple risk assessments. In addition, employees might benefit from taking the Working at Heights course.

In addition, the HSA has published a range of useful information about lifting equipment. This information can be accessed via their web page title Machinery, and specifically Use of Work Equipment guide.

In addition, the Health and Safety Executive (UK) has published a number of useful information about Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). This information can be accessed via their webpage Equipment and machinery.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established eLearn Safety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

eLearn Safety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Excavations

Excavations are a very dangerous high risk construction activity. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires a risk assessment to be performed by contractors before undertaking any excavation work. The risk assessment must:

• identify those hazards that are likely to be encountered;
• determine the control measures; and
• determine the safe system of work required to protect employees and persons affected by the activities taking place.

Control measures selected could be in the form of shoring (support for the excavation), battering (sloping the excavation) or other suitable means.

In addition, the Construction Regulations require contractors to guard against the dangers from a fall or dislodgement of material in an excavation.

 

Before Excavations Activates Start

Before excavations even take place, some planning has to take place. For example, we must plan to prevent danger to workers in or near excavations. To maintain the required precautions, a competent person must inspect excavation supports or battering at the start of the working shift and at other specified times. No work should take place until the excavation is safe. Furthermore, sufficient numbers of trained staff and adequate supervision must be present on site before works start. Additionally, sufficient and suitable plant and equipment for trench support must be on site before work starts. Information on ground conditions and location of existing services must be obtained before work starts.

 

Excavations and Basic Control Measures

To implement basic excavation control measures a competent person would need to decide what temporary support will be required and plan the precautions to be taken. Another key point to consider is the presence of any buried services. These must be addressed before excavation works begin. Signs and barriers must be provided to cordon off the place of work and precaution must be taken when considering location of excavated spoil and any material delivered to the site.

 

Excavations Related Management Procedures

To successfully manage any excavations activities, certain systems must be implemented. For example, a safe system of works must be provided taking into account weather, traffic conditions and existing structures. In addition, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided.  A competent person must inspect excavations:

• At least once in every day during which persons are at work there.
• If more than 2 metres deep, at the start of each shift before work begins.
• After any event likely to have affected the strength or stability of the excavation or the shoring.
• After any accidental fall of rock, earth or other material.
• At least once every 7 days where persons are not at work there.

 

Training Requirements

Supervisors must be trained in the theory and practice of excavation work. In addition, they should be aware of COSHH regulations and requirements. Workers must be trained in excavation support procedures appropriate to the work method selected. To help with raising general workplace safety awareness, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Workplace Safety – Level 1 course. This course is ideal for every employee in any workplace that’s subject to Health & Safety Legislation. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. It provides all employees who participate on this course with information on how to identify hazards and carry out simple risk assessments.

In addition, the HSA has published a range of useful information about excavations safety. This information can be accessed via their web page title Working in Excavations-Frequently Asked Questions.

In addition, Health and Safety Executive (UK) has published a number of useful information about excavations. This information can be accessed via their webpage Excavations.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established eLearn Safety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

eLearn Safety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

 

 

Fire Safety Awareness

Fire safety awareness is important since fire in the workplace can have massive effects on both businesses and individuals. A serious fire can often result in a company closing down for good. Unfortunately, the cost to individual workers can be far greater. Indeed, they can lose their life.

 

The Cost of lack of Fire Safety Awareness

It is often found during fire investigations that human behaviors have played a significant part in injury or loss of life. Without regular training, fire drills and raising awareness about fire, individuals usually underestimate the danger the fire can cause. For example, workers usually underestimate how quickly fire and smoke can spread and the time it takes to get out of a building. In addition, and quite surprisingly some workers don’t know their evacuation route and/or assembly point. Some research has suggested that when a fire alarm sounds, a significant number of employees choose to ignore the alarm and wait until someone else reacts. This is because they do not want to be in the ‘spotlight’ and first to react.

 

The Legislation

Under legislation, employers and persons in control of work areas have a legal obligation to manage fire safety in accordance with the law. However, responsibility for managing the risk of fire rests on everybody in the organisation, not just employers but employees as well.

There are number of legislative documents that cover Fire Safety in Ireland:

• Fire Services Act 1981-2003
• Building Control Act 2007
• Building Control Regulations 1997-2009
• Building Regulations 1997-2010
• Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
• Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
• Common Law

 

Fire Development

To understand how a fire develops, the following “Fire Triangle” shows the three necessary ingredients that are required for a fire. These elements are oxygen, heat and fuel. In summary, for a fire to start and grow all three elements of the fire triangle are required to be present. A key strategy to prevent a fire from starting or growing or to extinguish any fire is to remove one or more of these elements.

 

Basic Fire Control Measures

Some basic control measures include establishing emergency exit routes and implementing fire detection and fire fighting equipment. All equipment must be supplied by a reputable supplier, and must be safe to use according to Irish and EU product safety laws. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as Radio Kerry reports: ‘Gardaí in Skibbereen are investigating multiple reports of allegedly inappropriate or insufficient fire safety equipment being sold in rural areas of South Kerry and West Cork. Accounts suggest business people, farmers and individuals in the area are being targeted.’

It is important to note that all exit routes must be clear of obstructions at all times! In addition, an emergency fire and evacuation procedure must be continuously reviewed and updated as required. Likewise, emergency evacuation drills must be regularly reviewed and practised. Finally, records of routine fire inspections, maintenance and testing of fire fighting equipment and fire safety training must be maintained.

 

Training Needs

Training and instruction in fire safety and evacuation procedures must be provided to all employees. To help with raising fire safety awareness, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Fire Safety Awareness course. The course is designed to help employers meet their legal requirement to provide information and training to staff regarding specific hazards. Fire safety is an essential part of any safety management system. This course, along with regular fire drills, will help ensure regulatory compliance.

In addition, the HSA has published a range of useful information about fire safety. This information can be accessed via their web page titled Fire. In addition, Dublin City Council has published a range of fire control strategies. These strategies can be accessed via their webpage Fire Safety at Work.

Some additional reading is available in our blog entries about fire safety and fire safety awareness titled Fire Safety and Why is it Important (20th January 2023) and Fire Extinguishers (19th May 2023).

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established eLearn Safety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

eLearn Safety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Working at Heights

Working at heights is working in a place where a person could be injured by falling from it. This is possible even if it is at or below ground level.

 

Examples of Working at Heights

Examples of working at height include:

• Using a ladder, kick stool or step ladder in a storeroom or store cupboard.
• Using trestles or ladders to paint or clean.
• Changing light bulbs or ceiling tiles in an office.
• working on the back of a lorry to cover a load.
• Working close to an open excavation or cellar trap door.

 

Management of Working at Heights

Work must be planned to ensure that a safe means of access to all work areas is provided. In addition, all equipment must be provided and maintained to the required legal and other relevant standards. In general, this means that all equipment used must be checked to ensure that it is in good order, to correct specification, and in date for inspection. Furthermore, work must be monitored to ensure that additional precautions and equipment are taken into use if edge protection is removed.

 

Control Measures for Working at Heights

All working at heights control measures should be based on the hierarchy system:

• Elimination, which is the highest level of control.
• Reducing the risk, such as substituting the hazards with something safer. In addition, reduction of the risk can be achieved by isolation where isolation means isolating people from the potential hazard. Finally, we can implement engineering controls. For example, the use of machinery and/or devices to limit the hazard.
• Administrative controls. These control measures use administrative actions to minimise exposure to hazards and to reduce the level of potential harm (e.g. signage).
• Personal Protective Equipment. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect people from harm is considered the least effective control measure due to its reliance on human behaviour and the suitability and condition of the PPE itself.

 

Basic Notions of Working at Heights Control Measures

Suitable signs and barriers must be positioned directly below works to warn of overhead operations. Where there is a danger of fall, edge protection must be erected. However, where edge protection is removed for access, or is not reasonably practicable, fall arrest or restraint system must be used. For example, this system must be used by all operatives working at or near the edge even if the works to be performed are of very short duration.

In case where there is likely to be debris falling; fans, chutes or full enclosures must be used to protect third parties. In addition, all operatives working below operations must wear safety helmets. That is to say, all operatives working level below operations should be wearing helmets as no one should work directly below overhead works.

 

Training Needs

Training and instruction must be provided to all operatives and supervisory staff involved in the use of fall arrest or restraint equipment such as lines and harnesses. This training should include how to inspect and assess PPE of this type before use.

Working at heights, is part of a range of preventative measures that should be taken to prevent injuries at work. This is why eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Working at Heights course. All employers and employees working at a height who may be using hop-ups, ladders, scaffolding or MEWP to gain access to heights can benefit from the course.

In addition, the HSA has published a range of briefing notes on the Working at Heights regulations. This information can be accessed via their web page titled Working at Heights.

Some additional reading is available in our blog entry about working at heights from 15th September 2023.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established eLearn Safety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

eLearn Safety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

 

Emergency Medical Condition – Asthma

Emergency medical condition – asthma, is a respiratory medical condition. In an asthma attack, the muscles of the air passages in lungs go into spasm. As a result, the airways become narrowed, which makes breathing difficult.

 

Asthma Triggers

Sometimes, there is a recognised trigger for an attack. For example, an allergy, a cold, a particular drug or cigarette smoke. At other times, there is no obvious trigger. Many sufferers have sudden, unexpected attacks.

 

How to deal with Emergency Medical Condition – Asthma

People with asthma usually deal with their own attacks by using a reliever inhaler at the first sign of an attack. Most reliever inhalers have blue caps. Preventer inhalers have brown or white caps and are used to prevent attacks. They should never be used during an asthma attack.

 

Recognising Emergency Medical Condition – Asthma

Recognising Emergency Medical Condition – Asthma is usually very straightforward. Signs of Asthma are usually:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Wheezing.
• Difficulty speaking, leading to short sentences and whispering.
• Distress and anxiety.
• Features of hypoxia, such as a grey-blue tinge to the lips, earlobes and nailbeds (cyanosis).
• Exhaustion in a severe attack. If the attack worsens, the casualty may stop breathing and lose consciousness.

 

What to do in Emergency Medical Condition – Asthma

There are some steps we can take to help someone in Emergency Medical Condition – Asthma:

1. Keep calm! Reassure the casualty. Get them to take their usual dose of the reliever inhaler. Ask them to breathe slowly and deeply.
2. Sit them down in the position they find most comfortable.
3. A mild attack should ease within a few minutes. If it does not, the casualty may take one to two puffs from their inhaler every two minutes until they have had ten puffs.
4. Call 999/112 for emergency assistance if the attack is severe and one of the following occurs; the inhaler has no effect, the casualty is getting worse; breathlessness makes talking difficult, they are becoming exhausted.
5. Help the casualty to continue to use their inhaler as required. Monitor their vital signs: breathing, pulse and level of response until help arrives.

For additional information about Asthma, please see eLearn Safety fully online course titled Common Medical Emergencies: Asthma. This course will provide information to gain a better understanding of asthma and associated risk factors.

In addition, this St. John Ambulance first aid training video shows you what signs to look out for and how to help someone having an asthma attack. If you think someone may be having an asthma attack, it is important to know how to help them:

How to Treat an Asthma Attack – First Aid Training – St John Ambulance

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Ergonomics in the Workplace

Ergonomics is the study of working interactions between humans and machines/workstations and the factors that affect those interactions. Stemming from the Greek words ‘ergo’ & ‘nomus’ (workflow) it is in simple terms ‘fitting’ the job to the person as opposed to fitting the person to the job.

 

Origins of the Ergonomics

Ergonomic practitioners draw upon a number of different disciplines. Some of these are ‘biomechanics’ (the study of human movement and the associated laws) and ‘anthropometry’ (the study of human measurements). These disciplines assist ergonomic practitioners in identifying ergonomic risk factors.

 

Importance of Ergonomics in the Workplace

Failure to apply the principles of ergonomics within the workplace i.e., a busy office environment or warehouse can result in chronic or acute musculoskeletal injuries. If left unchecked can result in functional limitations. Employees working in such environments are also susceptible to RSI ‘repetitive strain injuries’ and WRULD ‘work related upper limb disorders’.

When designing workstations ergonomic considerations are of significant importance. An ergonomic risk assessment can help to identify issues with existing workstations. However prior to conducting a risk assessment a task analysis should be conducted. A task analysis is conducted in order to get an appreciation of an employee’s daily routine. A task analysis will highlight current or potential issues for the employee, time spent at the work station, breaks, and shift work. All these should all be taken into consideration. In addition, biomechanics and anthropometrics will also play a part at this point.

 

Ergonomic Tools

Ergonomic practitioners can utilize a number of tools in order to assist them in rating the risks accordingly:

• Rapid employee body assessment (REBA) tool.
• Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) tool.
• Assessment of repetitive tasks (ART) tool.

In addition, eLearn  Safety offers a full online VDU/DSE course. This course is fully online and can be taken 24/7. On completion of this VDU training course, participants will be provided with the information necessary to ensure current legislation is complied, risk assessments are carried out and all employees are competent to adjust their work stations to provide a safe place to work in.

Furthermore, a task analysis will help to identify if an employer is compliant with current legislation under the SHWW Act 2005. An office employees’ display screen is in essence a visual display unit. Therefore an employer must adhere to the guidance document within the general application regulations pertaining to VDU’s and display screen equipment.

 

Ergonomics in the Workplace Recommendations

Where office workers should be afforded the option to conduct his/her work both in the seated and standing position, employers must ensure chairs and VDU’s have the ability to be adjusted to suit all employees and consider frequent breaks and job rotation where practicable. Employers should also promote good working practices. For example, encouraging staff to make recommendations based on their working environments. If working in a warehouse or on a manufacturing line, workers should use appropriate equipment. A proper equipment will aid them in their jobs. Some of the examples are foot stools, foot rests, anti-glare eye protection, etc.

Employers should always be cognizant of the fact that ‘one shoe does not fit all’ when it comes to ergonomic assessments. For example a tall employee may feel cramped in a small area whereas a short employee may be uncomfortable if constantly reaching for items or if their feet are not supported when sitting.

Thus, structuring the working environment in order to suit the user is a step away from Taylors’ method of ‘scientific management’. Such a method, regardless of body shape and size or indeed the work being undertaken, was standardized across the board and the worker had to adapt him/herself to the factory conditions or face the prospect of dismissal and future injuries as a result.

 

Ergonomics Assessments

Ergonomic assessments are not difficult to undertake, and when carried out effectively can help to reduce the risk of ergonomic injuries and pain. In turn, this will help to motivate employees, allowing them to be more productive and happier in the working environment. Employers should always be aware of their responsibilities to their employees under the SHAWW Act and take the necessary steps to create risk free working environments where possible. Employees must also be aware of their rights and support any safety initiatives the employer wishes to implement, as the saying goes, ‘the rising tide floats every boat’.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Working in Confined Spaces

Working in confined spaces is a high risk working environment.

 

What does it mean Working in Confined Space

Any significantly enclosed space where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances, lack of oxygen or other dangerous conditions is classed as a confined space. Confined spaces with small openings such as silos, drains, sewers and storage tanks are fairly obvious. Others are not. Ductwork, vats, open-topped chambers may be less obvious.

 

Before Working in Confined Space Commence

Before working in confined space commences, certain steps should be taken. All hazards present must be identified and the risks assessed. This information should then be used to determine what precautions are needed and safety procedures developed (including emergency rescue).

 

Confined Space Entry

If working in confined spaces can be avoided – it should be avoided.

According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2001, Regulation 5 states that:

A person shall not carry out work in Confined Spaces if it is reasonably practicable that it could be avoided.

If the work must be carried out Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to the work commencing.

A person shall not enter a confined space unless there is a system of work in place that has been planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to render that work safe and without risk to health.

Anyone entering a confined space must be provided with appropriate information, training and instruction appropriate to the particular characteristics of the proposed work activities.

 

Questions to Ask

Before working in confined space commence, the following should be considered:

If someone is working in a confined space, think about the following:

• If a worker gets overcome by fumes how will anyone know this is happening?
• Once workers become overcome by fumes how can they be rescued?

Always:

• Make sure you are fully aware of all the risks associated with working in confined space!
• Make sure that the person performing work in confined space is competent (capable and trained) to work in confined spaces and in use of emergency equipment.

Never:

• Work in confined spaces if it can be avoided.
• Let unskilled people engage in confined space work.
• Let anyone enter confined space unless sure it is safe to do so.
• NEVER ignore risks associated with working in confined space.

 

Useful Resources

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has a very useful info page titled Working in Confined Spaces. This page covers some of the most frequently asked questions about working in confined spaces.

In addition, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive info page titled Introduction to working in confined spaces can provide additional very useful information about working in confined spaces.

 

Tragic Example

As The Irish Times reported; on June 10th, 2015 brothers Alan (45) and Stephen Harris (32) were overcome by fumes while working in an underground sewer at Drumnigh Woods, Portmarnock, Co Dublin. They were taken from the sewer and taken to hospital but unfortunately died of hypoxia due to toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide.

The brothers were wearing wader boots and rain jackets and Stephen Harris was wearing a dust mask.

A toxic gas incident that claimed the lives of two brothers almost killed a fireman attempting to rescue them.

How It Could Have Been Avoided

Health and Safety Authority inspector Frank Kerins said the job required specialist equipment in accordance with confined space regulations, including a gas detector and breathing apparatus.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Pressure and Gas at Work

Pressure and gas at work from a mains supply can be very dangerous. Gas from mains is an explosive hazard if not used correctly. In addition, poorly maintained systems can cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to make sure anyone employed to work on gas appliances is a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). According to Gas Networks Ireland:

“A Registered Gas Installer is an installer or service engineer who has completed the required gas installation safety training, who has the necessary insurance to carry out gas installations to the legal standard and who is registered with the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland.”

You should never use an unregistered gas installer to carry out work on your gas appliances, such as gas boilers, no matter how seemingly convenient or tempting it may be. Not even if this unregistered engineer is Daniel O’Donnell.

Even if it’s Daniel – Registered Gas Installers 30 second TVC. Run time 30s.

 

Pressure Systems

A pressure vessel is a container that holds a liquid or gas under pressure. A pressure system is one or more such vessels including associated pipework. Examples of pressure systems include compressed air systems, boilers, steam heating systems and autoclaves. If a pressure system fails during operation it can kill or injure people in the area. In addition, a significant damage to the property can happen due to impact from the blast, debris from the explosion and fire from escaping flammable gases or liquids.

 

Gas Cylinders

Gas cylinders can cause the same injuries as pressure vessels should the cylinder fail or be damaged. In addition, they can cause manual handling injuries from lifting and carrying heavy cylinders and crush injuries should cylinders fail.

Basic handling precautions include:

• Securing cylinders upright so they do not fall.
• Keeping cylinders away from fire.
• Making sure cylinders are not dropped or banged.
• Moving larger cylinders with a special hand truck rather than dragging or rolling them.
• Always checking the identity of the gas before using it.

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has a useful information page about gas titled Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage.

General Pressure and Gas at Work Controls

General controls when pressure and gas at work are in question include:

• Regular maintenance and correct repair from a competent person.
• Safe systems of work.
• Training and supervision.

 

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie