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

 

 

Abrasive Wheel Awareness

Abrasive wheels awareness is an extremely important aspect of an overall employee’s health and safety – where the employee is to use such tools. The abrasive wheel, if not properly used or maintained, is an extremely dangerous tool. The periphery of an abrasive wheel usually travels at a speed faster than a mile a minute. If a wheel should be broken while travelling at that speed, serious personal injury or damage to machinery or equipment might result. Unfortunately, serious injuries or fatalities are possible.

 

What is an Abrasive Wheel?

According to the Part 12 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (Regulations), an abrasive wheel can be:

• wheel, cylinder, disc or cone which, whether or not any other material is comprised in it, consists of abrasive particles held together by mineral, metallic or organic bonds, whether natural or artificial,
• a mounted wheel or point and a wheel or disc having (in either case) separate segments of abrasive material,
• a wheel or disc made (in either case) of metal, wood, cloth, felt, rubber or paper and having any surface consisting wholly or partly of abrasive material, or
• a wheel, disc or saw, to any surface of which is attached a rim or segments consisting of diamond abrasive particles,
• which is, or is intended to be, power-driven, and is for use in any grinding or cutting operations.

 

Causes of Abrasive Wheel Accidents

Unfortunately, injuries or damage caused by use of abrasive wheels are in most cases not accidents at all. They are usually a result of carelessness or lack of knowledge in use of the tool. The most common causes are:

• Using the wrong tool, or wheel for the job.
• Careless handling, such as holding the tool and the material improperly, removing the guards, etc.
• Improper mounting.
• Incorrect speed of the disk and the tool.
• Too much pressure applied.

The main dangers to an operator arise from pieces of the wheel or workpiece coming away, workers coming into contact with the wheel, and workers trapping their fingers between the wheel and the work rest.

 

Importance of Abrasive Wheel Awareness Training

Abrasive wheel awareness training is extremely important since the number of accidents and the circumstances in which they happen show that most can be avoided if workers know the risks and follow safety measures. The simple safety steps given below will help to prevent most accidents at grinding machines:

Step 1 – Inspection

When you receive a wheel, you should carefully inspect it, clean it with a soft brush and examine it for damage. In addition, you should carry out a ‘ring’ test as part of the examination. The ‘ring’ involves tapping the wheel with a non-metallic tool such as a screwdriver handle. If the wheel is safe to use a clear ring will be heard. But if the ring is ‘dead’ the wheel is cracked and you should not use it.

Step 2 – Storage

You should store wheels in a cool, dry area. Equally important is to provide suitable racks or bins and take precautions to prevent the wheels rolling or falling over.

Step 3 – Grinding Machines

All machines must be stable. Machines on benches should be bolted to the bench or securely fastened in some other way. A notice should be displayed on the machine showing the maximum speed of its spindle within each of its operating speeds. The operator should know how to start and stop the machine safely.

Step 4 – Choosing Wheels

The wheel must be suitable for the jobs in which it will be used. In general, soft wheels should be used on hard materials and hard wheels on soft materials. You should ask manufacturers for advice on which wheels to use. You should consider the following things when choosing the wheel:

• The type of machine on which it will be fitted.
• The speed of the machine or spindle – this must never be more than the maximum speed of the wheel.
• The material to be used on the machine.
• The finish needed.
• The area of contact between the workpiece and the wheel.

Step 5 – Mounting the Wheel

The wheel must be mounted by someone who has been properly trained and appointed by their employer to do the work. The employer must keep a register of people who have been appointed to do this work. Abrasive wheels should only be mounted on the type of machine for which they were designed. It is essential that the speed of the spindle is not more than the maximum speed marked on the wheel.

Step 6 – Guarding

The wheel should be guarded so that only the area of the wheel needed for the work to be done is exposed. Guards should be fitted to contain the wheel parts if the wheel bursts and to prevent, as far as possible, the operator from coming into contact with the wheel.

Step 7 – Using Abrasive Wheels

Operators must be properly trained. In addition, operators should not wear loose clothing such as ties or jewellery. These items could become caught between the wheel and the workpiece. Furthermore, they should tie long hair back out of the way. Guards should always be in place. Equally important, eye protection should be worn for all dry grinding work, or transparent screens should be fitted to fixed machines to protect against sparks and particles. In addition, the floor space around the machine should be kept free of obstructions and slippery substances.

Obviously, the machine should only be used by one person at a time. It should be switched off always when not in use. To prevent the workpiece jamming between the work rest and the wheel, the work rest should be positioned as close as possible to the face of the wheel. It should be adjusted as the wheel wears. Lastly, the operator should hold the workpiece firmly and move it across the face of the wheel so that the wheel wears evenly. Clamps or similar devices can be used for small jobs.

 

Abrasive Wheels Awareness Training

The formal training in the safe use of abrasive wheels is required by law. There are no exemptions to this requirement. All personnel using any form of abrasive wheels must be trained in its proper use.

The Abrasive Wheels Awareness course developed by eLearn Safety is designed to supplement and provide additional training but not to replace formal training. It is the online part of a blended training program and students must also complete a practical session in order to be competent operators. Under the current legislation an employer must not allow any person to operate the wheel unless they are trained and competent to mount the wheel.

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) provides a wealth of relevant information via 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

Plant and Equipment Safety

Plant and equipment safety is an important factor to consider in ensuring overall workplace safety. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide and maintain suitable safe equipment. In addition, an employer is also responsible for providing training and information on risks and precautions. However, it is the employee’s responsibility to select the correct machine for the work to be undertaken. Employees must ensure to use only the equipment they are trained in its use.

 

Plant and Equipment Safety – Main Dangers

When we talk about plant and equipment safety, we must consider and address main dangers associated with its use:

• Traps (Entrapment) – Moving equipment that can trap body parts, such as presses and hydraulic jacks.
• Contact – Abrasions, bruising or friction burns can occur when people accidentally come into contact with moving parts.
• Impact – Moving parts may hit operators or the public if unguarded or badly sited.
• Ejection Some unguarded equipment, e.g., drills and saws, may throw off bits of metal or wood.
• Entanglement – Moving machinery such as rollers, cogs and conveyors that can entangle hair, jewellery and clothes, even pulling whole bodies into machinery.

 

Guards and Safety Features

Guarding is often used as a method of controlling the risks associated with moving parts and machinery. For example, some guards act as a permanent barrier to prevent people from gaining access to a dangerous area. Other moveable types will prevent the machine from operating unless the guard is in place. Furthermore, it is important that guards and other safety features, such as emergency stop buttons and alarms, are working correctly. If they are not, the machinery must not be used.

 

Plant and Equipment Safety – Hand Tools

There are some basic rules to consider to ensure safe use of tools:

• Select the right tool for the right job.
• Make sure the tool is maintained and in good condition.
• Report broken or worn tools to a supervisor.
• Only use tools you have been trained to use.
• Use the tools correctly.
• Store correctly after use.

 

Plant and Equipment Safety – Machinery

Similarly, there are some basic rules to consider to ensure safe use of machinery:

• Guards – Never attempt to remove or defeat machinery guards. Many guards operate on a ‘failure to safety’ system. For example, if the guard is not in place the machine will not work.
• Power – Always turn off machines and power when not in use. Turn off and unplug for cleaning and maintenance.
• Lighting – Use effective lighting to enable the machine to be used safely.
• Housekeeping – Keep the workplace clean. Untidy areas around machinery can cause falls and provide fuel for fires.
• Repairs – Report any faults or suspected faults immediately, including missing guards or safety equipment.
• Clothing – Do not wear loose clothing around machinery. No ties, belts, straps or jewellery. Wear suitable personal protective clothing or equipment. Keep longhair tied up or covered if using machinery.
• Training – Do not use equipment unless trained to do so.
• Responsibility – Wear any protective equipment deemed necessary by risk assessment. Never distract colleagues who are using machinery or other equipment.

 

Ensuring Equipment Safety

When selecting equipment it is important to choose the safest possible option for any work activity. Whether selecting or purchasing you must:

• Ask technical questions and compare the information provided by suppliers.
• Check that the equipment has a CE mark.
• Satisfy yourself that you have obtained all the relevant safety information.
• Make sure sufficient, relevant training is given.
• Undertake a risk assessment before any equipment is installed or used.

Equipment must be well maintained to make sure it is in safe working order. Likewise, the maintenance should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions by a competent person. The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland provides a wealth of information on Plant and Machinery via their Construction Section of the 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

Cyberbullying Awareness

Raising Cyberbullying Awareness is an important factor in preventing cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies.

 

What is Cyberbullying

The HSE defines cyberbullying as ‘[…] a form of bullying. It happens on social media, online forums, text and email.’

Cyberbullying usually involves offensive emails or text messages. These usually contain jokes or inappropriate wording towards a specific individual race, gender, nationality, or sexual preference. The words have a direct effect on the bullying target. Another example is an intended personal email response forwarded without permission for the whole office to see. However, most common examples of cyberbullying nowadays are:

• Abusive messages or slagging on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram.
• Offensive comments on videos or posts.
• Spreading rumours online.
• Hacking into your online accounts.
• Posting offensive or intimate images.

 

Raising Cyberbullying Awareness

By raising cyberbullying awareness we can learn to avoid cyberbullying.

For example, some precautionary steps are straightforward, such as never giving out your passwords to anyone, or picking your social friends carefully. Other steps get easily ignored or overlooked since unintentionally we can also be a source of cyberbullying. Always be polite to other people. Think about your words, what you are saying and whether it might be hurtful or embarrassing to other people and their loved ones. For example, think about some of the accidents recorded by someone on their phone and then shared online. It might be a ‘light accident’ such as someone tripping and falling, which might raise a few ‘innocent’ laughs. It might not be so amusing to the person who fell. In addition, think about some recent road fatalities which were recorded and shared online. In most cases, this is how the victim’s family found out about these accidents.

The internet does not forget, and it is often that these harmful comments, if made, will be available online for a long time, if not forever. Even if they are deleted, online posts can be screenshot and kept in circulation for a very long time.

Lastly, it is good practice, in personal and professional communication to not send any messages when you are chafed. With this in mind, wait until you have calmed down and had time to think.

With this in mind, eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Cyber Bullying Awareness course. This cyberbullying awareness course, developed in partnership with CyberSafeIreland, is suitable for any parent or adult who would like to know more about this area, and particularly does wondering what is the right thing to do if someone they know is either experiencing cyberbullying, or is the one cyberbullying.

 

What to do if You are Cyberbullied

Without a doubt, it is beneficial to raise cyberbullying awareness. However, we still might become a victim (or unintentional source) of cyberbullying. There are a number of things that you can do to deal with cyberbullying. Such as with any bullying, do not rise to take the bait. The bully will want to know that they’ve got you worried and upset. If you never reply, they will probably get bored and leave you alone. In addition, you can block people from phoning or sending texts. You can and should also report them. By reporting a cyberbully you could prevent a cyberbully from bullying other people. If the messages are extremely offensive and intend to cause harm, tell the Gardaí. It’s against the law to threaten people and the Gardaí can put a stop to it. They are there to keep you safe.

 

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

Understanding People in the Workplace Environment

Understanding people in the workplace environment is essential if we are to achieve a safe workplace. In reality, accidents in the workplace are ‘people’ problems. At some point in any work-related situation, immediate or distant, people and decisions were involved. Undoubtedly, it is the task of modern safety management systems to recognise that fact. Consequently, the opportunities for mistakes and the harm that can arise when they are made should be minimised.

To err is human. We all make mistakes. Awareness of our limitations is needed before we can set up systems successfully which take those limitations into account and maximise safety efforts in any workplace.

 

Behavioural factors

Understanding behavioural factors, or as often referred to as ‘human factors’ are essential in understanding people in the workplace environment. These factors which may affect human performance include:

• Perceptual, mental and physical capabilities of people.
• Interaction of people with their organisations, jobs and working environment.
• Influence of equipment and systems design on human performance.
• Organisational characteristics which influence safety-related behaviour.
• Social and inherited characteristics of people.

Modern techniques of managing safety and health incorporate best practice within them so as to produce and influence a positive safety culture.

 

Promotion of a Positive Safety Culture

Promoting and fostering positive attitudes to safety and health can be done by:

• Effective communication. Passing information to and from, and regular consultation with the employees.
• Achieving a positive commitment to safety by senior management that is both real and visible.
• Maintaining good training standards.
• Maintaining good working environments with a high potential for safe working conditions to be achieved.

All these can be, and must be, found within organisations committed to a high standard of excellence in safety and health at work.

 

Maintaining Good Training Standards

Training for health and safety is not an end in itself, rather, it is a means to an end. With this in mind, a few conditions need to be present for any safety training to be successful:

• The active commitment, support and interest of management,
• Necessary finance and organisation to provide the opportunity for learning to take place, and
• The availability of suitable expertise in the subject.

eLearn Safety is a training organisation which provides high quality online, blended and face-to-face safety training courses. To this end,  eLearn Safety program development and delivery is driven by customer service values where the learner is able to engage in the learning process however and wherever they want. In addition, all eLearn Safety staff are highly trained and receive ongoing CPD. A number of fully online Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety courses is available through eLearn Safety courses website page.

Safety is not just for the workplace. Safety is part of everyday life; from first aid to food safety, these skills improve the quality of life not only in the workplace but at home and in the community.

In addition to eLearn Safety courses, there is a number of available workplace safety information available online. For example, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) provides a wealth of information about the topic via their Workplace Health website page. Additionally, Citizens Information offers a number of relevant information via their website page Health and safety at work.

 

Understanding People in the Workplace Environment – Why does it Matter?

The main health and safety regulations in Ireland are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and Safety, Health and welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. The Act 2005 applies to employers, employees and the self-employed. Indeed, this is done in the interest of securing a preventive approach to occupational health and safety. In addition, the GA Regulations 2007 outline the specific workplace safety matters.

Many specific pieces of health and safety legislation contain requirements to provide training for employees engaged in certain tasks. However, it should be noted that there is a general duty placed on employers to ensure that all employees are trained and provided with information, instruction and supervision as necessary to ensure their health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable.

The support of management demonstrates the presence of the environment into which the trained person can return and exercise new skills and knowledge. The management team also demonstrates support by setting good examples. Workers are most likely to stop obeying safety rules if supervisors and managers are known to ignore them.

 

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

 

Work-related Stress

Work-related Stress is the reaction people have to excessive work-related pressures or other types of demand placed on them. While there may be some disagreement over an exact definition, most people believe that it is a serious problem in their organisations.

 

Work-related Stress Surveys

Various work-related stress surveys found that stress is a significant issue at work. Majority of surveyed employees claim they had taken time off work due to stress. Basically, stress is thought to pose a relatively high risk. However, it is often the least well controlled of all risks at work.

Pressures exist in all aspects of people’s lives. There is even some evidence that we need pressure to be able to function at maximum effectiveness. Be that as it may, the responses to pressure, physical and mental, can be damaging if required to continue beyond the short term. Psychological, and physical illness caused by work-related stress can result in anxiety, depression, heart diseases and other serious medical conditions.

 

Work-related Stress Contributing Factors

Factors which may contribute to stress in the workplace include:

• The physical work environment (e.g., noise, cold, heat, etc.).
• Working conditions (e.g., salary, long hours, unsocial hours, travel requirements, etc.).
• Change in practices and techniques.
• Volume of work (e.g., overload).
• Work design and pace
• Roles within the organisation.
• Tension between pressures of production and safety requirements.
• Relationships with other people at work.
• Organisational style and office dynamics.
• Lack of job security.
• Poor communication, training and involvement in decision making.

There are a number of additional factors which can be a cause of work-related stress. Isolating one or more of these factors as a cause of a particular stress problem is difficult. This is because most of these factors are inter-related.

 

Dealing with Work-related Stress

Stress at work is believed to reduce the individual’s effectives, increase absenteeism and labour turnover. In addition, it may increase the likelihood of injury.

Each employer has an obligation to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health of employees is not endangered in the course of their work.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has a number of useful resources that can be used in managing work related stress. For instance, one of these resources is WorkpositiveCI. WorkpositiveCI has been developed by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), State Claims Agency (SCA) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Network Ireland. It is a free, easy to use, innovative, confidential, psychosocial risk management process that provides feedback on workplace stress.  In addition, it looks into employee psychological wellbeing and critical incident exposure in the workplace. As a matter of fact, it is designed to deliver structured guidance enabling organisations to develop an action plan to mitigate against these stressors.

In addition, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published a number of useful guidance, publications and resources on workplace stress.

Another beneficial course is a fully online Working Safely course. Working Safely is a 2 hour online course for people at any level, in any sector, that will boost business performance and staff motivation. Simply by showing how everyone can enhance their safety, health and wellbeing through everyday behaviours. The topics include importance of working safely, definitions of hazards and risks, common workplace hazards and how to improve safety performance.

 

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

Asbestos Exposure at Work

Asbestos exposure at work is the primary cause of mesothelioma and asbestosis. Being around asbestos puts people at risk for several types of cancer and serious pulmonary diseases. While asbestos was widely used in construction until recently, some occupations have higher risks of exposure to asbestos in the workplace.

 

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring mineral silicates. Asbestos is strong, inert, resilient and flexible and therefore almost indestructible. On paper, this material would appear as the ideal material. Indeed, until recently it was used in a wide range of products requiring heat resistance and insulation properties. However, today we know without doubt that asbestos is responsible for asbestos-related diseases such as cancers of the chest and lungs. These diseases will not occur immediately and can take from 15 – 60 years to develop.

There is no safe level of exposure to any form of asbestos! For additional information about asbestos in the workplace, please see eLearn Safety blog entry from 16th June 2023 titled Asbestos in the Workplace.

 

Why is Asbestos Exposure Dangerous?

Asbestos exposure is very dangerous. Asbestos produces its effects because of the size, strength, sharpness and rugged shape of the tiny fibers it releases. In addition, some of its chemical characteristics play a role. The health hazards arise when these small fibres become airborne and enter the body. The body’s natural defence mechanisms can reject large, visible dust particles and fibres. Unfortunately, small fibres reaching inner tissues are those that are both difficult to remove and the most damaging. They are particularly dangerous because they cannot be seen by the naked eye under normal circumstances. Furthermore, they are too small (less than 5 microns in length) to be trapped by conventional dust filter masks.

To learn some essential information about asbestos hazards, we recommend the eLearn Safety fully online Asbestos Awareness course. The aim of this course is to provide information on the identification and the prevention of occupational illness from exposure to respirable asbestos fibres.

 

Asbestos Exposure at Work

Asbestos exposure at work mostly refers to construction related activities. However, not only construction workers can become exposed to asbestos. In addition to construction workers, firefighters, industrial workers, power plant workers, shipyard workers and any other persons exposed to asbestos dust can become affected.

Asbestos found in construction work is usually encountered in the demolition or refurbishments processes. However, even simple jobs such as drilling partitions or removing ceiling tiles can disturb asbestos dust. It is important to be aware that asbestos can be found in composite materials such as concrete products and tiles. Asbestos was used as an additive in these products to provide strength, durability and flame resistance. Therefore, neither the colour nor the fibrous look of a substance is a reliable guide. The only reliable identification of the presence of the asbestos is by microscopic analysis in the laboratory. It is therefore safe to assume that any building built (or refurbished) in Ireland before the year 2000 might contain asbestos. A detailed survey will be required to identify where asbestos is present in your building. An asbestos survey must be carried out by a competent person.

 

The Law

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 and 2010 are the key regulations relating to asbestos in the workplace. In simple terms, any work with asbestos insulation (for example, pipe/ thermal insulation), asbestos coatings (for example, ‘limpet’ spray coating) or asbestos insulating board must be carried out by competent specialist asbestos contractors. Any maintenance or repair work with asbestos insulation, spray coatings or asbestos insulating board should be restricted to specialist asbestos contractors. Specialised training is required for workers involved – see Section 9 of the HSA Guidance Document.

All asbestos removal or abatement work must be carried out by competent persons who have sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work to be undertaken. This must include practical training. An asbestos awareness course is not sufficient. The asbestos awareness course is a general asbestos awareness course recommended for anyone in the construction industry for general asbestos awareness.

Section 12 of the HSA Guidance Document provides advice on selection of a specialist asbestos contractor.

 

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