Health and Safety in Childcare

Health and Safety in Childcare is a fundamental duty of every person involved in a preschool service. All adults caring for children have a responsibility to keep them safe. In addition, employers are responsible under Health and Safety legislation for providing safe systems and place of work to their staff.

 

Occupational Health and Safety in Childcare

The childcare service’s responsibility is to provide a safe working environment and work practices for its staff. This is a requirement under the primary piece of legislation impacting childcare services; the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.

Providing a safe and healthy environment that promotes the wellbeing of all involves a co-operative approach. This approach involves the management, staff, parents, children and visitors. It means involving parents by informing them of policies and encouraging their participation. For staff it can involve, among other things, information, training and consultation. For example, it can include health and safety as a regular item for discussion at team meetings.

To help your employees adopt safe working practices, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Workplace Safety course.

 

Fire Safety in Childcare

Managers of childcare services have a duty to implement an effective fire safety management policy. This policy should minimise the risk of fire occurring. If a fire or other emergency does occur, ensure rapid and safe evacuation. For example, ensure that children and staff on the premises are evacuated safely and without delay. In addition, a member of staff should be assigned responsibility for the implementation and overseeing of the fire safety programme.

The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has prepared A Guide to Building Safety – Fire and Planning Requirements. The purpose of this document is to help early year’s services ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place.

In addition, to help your employees manage fire safety issues, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Fire Safety Awareness course.

 

Health and Safety in Childcare – Internal and External Environments

An internal and external environment in a childcare service must cater for child’s need to explore their world. In addition, it must provide a safe environment in which to do so. The flow of children and adults in the building should be considered. Access issues can impact on the service in terms of disruption. In addition, it may lead to health and safety incidents and accidents.

To help your employees maintain a safe internal and external environment, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Slips, Trips and Falls course.

 

Hygiene and Infection Prevention Control

Hygiene is essential in maintaining a safe and healthy childcare service. For example, daily cleaning routines and proper hand washing procedures. In addition, promotion of oral health and policies to deal with infection and exclusion are crucial.

Good hygiene practices and effective hand washing are the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection among children. In childcare services, infections can be spread due to the presence of large numbers of people in close proximity over a number of hours. Germs thrive in warm, moist environments that are poorly ventilated. Germs do not survive well in dry, clean conditions. Childcare management and staff should be familiar with common infections. Furthermore, they should be aware of how to prevent the spread of infection.

To help your employees implement infection prevention control measures, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Infection Prevention and Control course.

 

Food Safety and Safe Food Handling

In common with other food operations, pre-schools are subject to the provisions of a number of pieces of food safety legislation. These set down the obligations on the owners of food businesses to ensure that the business is operated in a hygienic way.

The rules of hygiene cover a number of requirements. For example, rooms where food is prepared, foodstuffs, transportation, equipment, food waste, water supply, personal hygiene and training. Owners are also obliged to identify steps in the activities of the business that are critical to ensuring food safety. In addition, they must ensure that adequate safety procedures are identified, implemented and reviewed.

To help your employees ensure safe food handling, the eLearn Safety has developed a number of fully online Food Safety and HACCP courses.

 

Child Protection

Child protection should promote the overall welfare and development of the child. This in turn will contribute to the growth of their self-esteem and personal autonomy. Consequently, this is achieved by creating a safe and sound environment. Furthermore, a safe environment is where trust, respect, equity and, in particular, a real willingness to listen to children is established. Undeniably, a focus on what is in the interests of the child must be the guiding principle.

To summarise, it is the shared responsibility of the manager and the staff members to ensure that children are kept safe.

Tusla has worked with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE to develop a universal e-learning programme. This programme is called Introduction to Children First. The programme has been written to support people of all backgrounds and experience. To this end, the course will help them recognise concerns about children and report such concerns if they arise.

 

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 Extinguishers and How to Use Them

This article will look into fire extinguishers and how to use them. A fire extinguisher is a portable device that discharges a jet of water, foam, gas, or other material to extinguish a fire. Usually, fire extinguishers are red with a coloured label to indicate its type. In addition, they must be accompanied by a sign giving details of its type and use. This sign must be placed by the extinguisher.

Extinguishing Fires

To extinguish a fire, one or more of the elements in the fire triangle has to be removed or reduced to a level where it will no longer support combustion. Furthermore, most extinguishers work by smothering or cooling the fire (or a combination of both methods). Employers and those responsible for premises must provide appropriate firefighting equipment for the risk and make sure sufficient people are trained in its use.

 

Fire Extinguisher Checks

A trained fire extinguisher engineer should inspect and service all extinguishers annually. Extinguishers should be suitable for the risks assessed and highlighted in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment. In addition, it is also important that extinguishers are checked regularly throughout the year to make sure:

• The pressure gauge needle is in the correct position (in the green zone).
• There are no signs of tampering and the safety pin is in place.
• It has been serviced within the last 12 months (a test label should be visible)
• There are no signs of rust, corrosion or leaks.
• It is sited correctly in an easily accessible position, ready to be picked up and with a sign indicating its type placed next to it.

 

Commonly Used Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are red with a coloured label to indicate its type. A sign giving details of its type and use must be placed by the extinguisher.

 

Water Extinguishers [RED LABEL]

Only suitable for use on solid materials such as wood, paper, straw, textiles, coal etc.

 

Foam Extinguishers [CREAM LABEL]

Can be used on flammable liquids and the same type of fires that water extinguishers can be used on. Particularly suitable for petrol and diesel fires. Do not use on cooking oil, fat pan fires or flammable metal fires. Do not use on electrical equipment (unless stated otherwise).

 

CO2 (carbon dioxide) Extinguishers [BLACK LABEL]

Suitable for fires involving electrical equipment (even when live). Can also be used on flammable liquids, e.g. paint, petrol etc.

Note:

• Do not use on cooking oil, fat pan fires or flammable metal fires.
• Should not be used in confined spaces.
• The fire may re-ignite as it does not cool very well.
• The discharge horn and hose may freeze and could cause cold burns if in direct contact with the skin.

 

Dry Powder Extinguisher [BLUE LABEL]

Can be used on most types of fire, including fires on electrical equipment (but it could damage the equipment).

Note:

• Do not use on cooking oil, fat pan fires or flammable metal fires.
• Not suitable for confined places (can affect visibility and people with breathing problems).

 

Wet Chemical Extinguishers [YELLOW LABEL]

The only extinguisher that can be used on cooking oils and fats (e.g. lard, butter, olive oil, sunflower oil, etc.)

Note:

• Should not be used on petrol, spirits or mineral oils. Check manufacturer’s instructions for other uses.

 

Fire Blankets

Fire blankets are made of a fire retardant material and are used to smother small fires. Generally, they are most commonly found in kitchens. In order to extinguish the fire, where it is safe and quick to do so, you should turn off the heat (e.g. the gas or electric supply to a cooker). However, if the fire is bigger than the blanket, you should not attempt to smother it.

Using a fire blanket:

• Pull it out from the case.
• Hold it in front of you, gripping it near the top corners.
• Protect your hands by making sure the blanket covers them.
• Place the blanket over the fire.
• Leave the fire covered for 30 minutes to prevent re-ignition (hot liquids and oils are particularly likely to re-ignite if oxygen becomes available again) Some fire blankets are designed for single use, so the manufacturer’s instructions should be checked following a fire.

 

Using a Fire Extinguisher

You should only ever attempt to fight a fire if it is safe to do so! You should only fight a fire if:

• Someone has already raised the alarm.
• The emergency services have been called.
• The correct type of extinguisher is available.
• You are competent and have been trained to use the extinguisher.
• A safe escape route is available.
• The fire is smaller than a waste paper bin.

Do not fight a fire if:

• The room is filling with smoke or the fire is spreading.
• Other hazards are present (such as chemicals or gas cylinders).
• The fire is not reducing or more than one extinguisher is required.

 

Whilst different extinguishers should have their instructions for use on the cylinder, the general advice for operating a fire extinguisher can be remembered as PASS:

• P – Pull Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
• A – Aim Aim low, pointing the extinguisher (nozzle, horn or hose) at the base of the flames.
• S – Squeeze Squeeze the handle until the extinguisher discharges.
• S – Sweep Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire reignites, repeat steps 2 to 4.

 

REMEMBER

Do not attempt to fight a fire unless you have been trained to do so.

 

Training Requirements

The eLearn Safety fully online Fire Safety Awareness course is designed to help employers meet their legal requirement to provide information and training to staff regarding specific hazards. Without doubt, fire safety is an essential part of any safety management system. This course, along with regular fire drills, will help ensure regulatory compliance.

 

Further Reading

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) provides a wealth of useful information about fire safety on their website pages. Fire safety awareness training should form part of a good fire safety management system. However, training alone should not substitute for active monitoring and involvement from management. Regular drills should be carried out to ensure regulatory compliance.

 

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

 

Importance of Farm Safety

Importance of farm safety and appropriate health and safety culture on farms is often literally a matter of life and death. According to the Irish Government, farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in Ireland.  Unfortunately, there are an average of 20 fatal incidents on farms every year. In addition, there are around 2,800 serious injuries annually on farms. Many of these are life changing and place the farmers’ livelihood and farm at risk.

 

Common Stressors

There are a number of reasons that might affect farmers to neglect their own and overall farm safety. Sometimes this is the farm work itself such as extremely heavy work load extending 9-5 work hours. Farming is often a 24/7, 365 days type of employment. Most farmers are self-employed and often this heavy workload is not shared. If the farmer does not complete the task, it will remain uncompleted. Usually, there is no one else to pick up the task.  In addition, there are other stressors such as worrying about animal health. Losing a single animal can cause a domino effect and jeopardise financial existence. This in turn might not affect only the farmer, but their whole family. And beyond.

Equally, there are other ‘invisible’ stressors which are often ignored or parked to one side. These ‘invisible’ stressors might include feeling isolated, health issues, relationship conflicts and financial difficulties. The ‘work’ and animal welfare usually come first. Mental wellbeing usually comes last.

Lastly, farmers are often their own manual labour, accountants, lawyers, farm managers, mechanics, health and safety officers, sales agents, etc. They take care of all labour, paper work and ensure regulatory compliance.

 

Ignoring Farm Safety

Whilst importance of farm safety is often taken on board by many, it might lose its priority once it gets lined up against common stressors of farming. Unfortunately, when making decisions, most people have biases and take short cuts which often leads to poor decision making. ‘Animals need to be tended. It will take just a second, no need to use a cattle crash’. ‘I need just a bit of pesticide. No need to use protective equipment. I’ll be careful‘. ‘I am busy. No time for this health and safety stuff now. This can wait.’.

With this in mind, developing a safe process for each task on the farm and having the strength to follow that process, is an important step in ensuring you stay safe. This is regardless of whatever else is happening.

 

Working Towards Farm Safety

It is critical to recognise the importance of farm safety. The following are just a few tips for how to achieve this:

Conduct Safety Training Regularly

eLearn Safety has a number of fully online health and safety courses that can be of benefit to a farmer. These can be found in Farming and Forestry course section. In addition, a significant amount of useful information can be found on the following websites: Farm Safety Hub, Teagasc Farm Safety, and HSA Agriculture and Forestry.

Maintain Farm Equipment

Faulty and outdated equipment are major risks to farm safety. This is because these machines are more likely to fail when employees use them. This can result in costly and dangerous incidents in the field. This is especially true when dealing with heavier equipment such as tractors and plowing machines.

Handle Chemicals and Hazardous Products with Extra Care

It’s common for farmers to handle various hazardous chemicals and products during farming activities. This is because part of the agricultural process involves giving certain chemicals to the plants and produce to fight bugs and other pests. While these pesticides and chemicals are effective at keeping pests at bay, they can be dangerous for humans.

Invest in Alert Systems

Understanding when there’s an emergency or incident is crucial for smooth and safe operations in any business, farming not being an exception. So, make sure that your farm has an efficient and functional alert system in place so that you always stay on top of your personal safety.

 

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

Mindfulness Meditation Practices

Mindfulness meditation practices at work can be an effective way to reduce work-related stress and improve well-being in certain contexts.

 

The Purpose of Mindfulness meditation practices

Mindfulness meditation practices help you be more effective in today’s busy world. It reduces stress, increases focus, and improves your ability to deal with challenges. With regular practice, mindfulness can change the course of your life. It can also prevent burnout. Burnout is a feeling of having no energy or commitment for your work. The condition can be devastating to your mental wellbeing. It often hits us suddenly. Triggers might be any causal factors. No one aspect of work life causes it, but various interacting pieces. They are usually a culmination of everyday mental stresses we are exposed to.

 

Common Signs of Burnout

The most common signs of burnout are:

• Feeling tired or drained most of the time.
• Feeling helpless, trapped and/or defeated.
• Feeling detached/alone in the world.
• Having a cynical/negative outlook on things previously of interest.
• Self-doubt prolonged, about areas of previous competence.
• Procrastinating and taking longer to get things done/indecision.
• Feeling overwhelmed and lacking the usual powers of self-regulation.

 

Mindfulness Meditation Practices at Work

Mindfulness meditation practices at work involve focusing on the present moment at work. It also concentrates on being aware of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Developing mindfulness can decrease stress and anxiety, creating a more positive and productive work setting for you and your colleagues.

To help you deal with these everyday mental challenges, eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Mindfulness Practice course. This course will lead you through guided exercises that expand emotional intelligence, grow self-confidence, and build stronger relationships. With these practices, you can experience in-the-moment inspiration. You can also learn how to deal with difficult people, manage change, and confront fears. Each lesson is tied to an accompanying practice, which will help you change the structure of your brain. In addition, it will teach you how to respond better to situations.

Our world is changing rapidly. Evolve your mind to handle challenges with confidence.

 

Further Support

Further support is available through the HSE, Pieta House, and Samaritans just to name a few.

Incorporating mindfulness into your workday can bring a number of benefits. This can be beneficial to your mental health and wellbeing. The simplest acts of mindfulness can help. This means focusing on your breath flow and being intensely aware of what you are sensing and feeling at every moment, without interpretation or judgment.

 

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

Manual Handling Awareness

Manual handling awareness is just part of a range of preventative measures that should be taken to prevent injuries at work. To understand this, we have to define Manual handling. Manual handling is any activity that includes lifting or putting down, pulling or pushing, carrying, supporting or moving an object, person or animal using the hand or any other part of the body. Many people wrongly assume that manual handling only applies when items are lifted. However, this is not fully true, as manual handling could be any movement of an object.

 

Common Injuries due to poor Manual Handling Awareness

The purpose of Manual Handling Training and raising awareness of proper manual handling techniques is to prevent workplace injuries. The most common causes of manual handling injuries are:

• Poor posture.
• Heavy lifting or using excessive force.
• Excessive repetition of a task.
• Lack of time to recover from a task.
• Twisting and stopping activities.
• Pushing or pulling loads over a prolonged distance.
• Reaching or lifting away from the body.
• Standing or sitting in a static position without regular changes in posture.
• Person’s own susceptibility to injury.

About a third of all workplace accidents reported are as a direct result of manual handling, lifting and carrying.

 

Business Costs of Manual Handling Injuries

Manual handling injuries resulting from poor manual handling awareness can have a serious effect on both, employers and employees. For example, the following might count as business costs:

• Legal advice and insurance costs.
• Legal action, possibly including compensations.
• Sick pay.
• Lost production and sales.
• Equipment and stock losses or damages.
• Time and money spent on investigation and improvements.
• Recruitment and payment of cover/replacement staff.

 

Human Costs of Manual Handling Injuries

When compared to human costs, business costs are insignificant. The human costs are usually long term and significant. For example:

• Pain and suffering.
• Disability, possibly long-term.
• Health care and rehabilitation.
• Loss of earnings.
• Emotional and financial burden on family.
• Potential loss of life.

 

Reducing the Risks and promoting Manual Handling Awareness

Employers are required by law to assess manual handling tasks with the aim of avoiding or reducing risks. Trained employees have a legal duty to follow safe working practices and use the correct techniques they have been shown.

As previously mentioned, human and business costs that manual handling injuries cause can be significant. Therefore, avoidance of injury in the first place should be the main focus. In other words, avoidance of injury is to everyone’s advantage. To that end, when we talk about manual handling, both employer and employee must consider:

• The Hazard – Things that have potential to do harm.
• The Risk – The likelihood of the hazard actually doing harm.
• Control Measures – Actions or procedures put into place to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

 

Manual Handling Awareness Training

Manual handling training for employees, 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 Manual Handling Awareness course. This course can stand alone and can be used as a regular refresher on manual handling theory. In addition, it can be part of a blended manual handling training. In that case, following completion of the theory online, each participant will have to complete the practical session which consists of:

• Practical scenarios.
• Kinetic principles.
• Written assessment based on all of the course content.

This blended learning training course has been designed by qualified tutors to assist the employer to comply with current legislation. In addition, it will inform and educate an employee how to prevent injuries by teaching them good manual handling techniques.

In addition, the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) offers a significant amount of resources in relation to Manual Handling via their Workplace Health section of their website.

 

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