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

Home and Hybrid Working

Home and hybrid working is not unusual anymore and a significant number of employees are working in this way. Remote working is when work activities are undertaken outside of the employers’ normal work premises. This includes working from home and/or working from a remote working hub. In addition, workers might work in a hybrid arrangement, where their time is split between their workplace and home.

 

Health and Safety Responsibilities of Employers for Home and Hybrid Working

According to the Health and Safety legislation, the responsibility for Health and Safety at work rests with the employer. This is regardless of whether an employee works remotely. Although risks to home workers will be low most of the time they are still present. However, the actions employers should take to protect them are straightforward. To ensure Health and Safety laws and standards are maintained at all times, an employer must conduct a Risk Assessment. Specifically, the Risk Assessment should focus on the following areas:

• Stress and poor mental health.
• Using equipment like computers and laptops safely.
• Their working environment.

To assist employers in Risk Assessing employees’ remote working environment, the HSA has prepared a useful Remote Working Guidance and Checklist.

 

Health and Safety Responsibilities of Employees for Home and Hybrid Working

Like any worker, in any work environment, remote workers must take care of their own health and safety. In addition, this extends to the safety of others as well and all those who may be harmed by remote workers actions while they are working. Indeed, all employees must fully cooperate with their employers and other workers. For example, employers must follow employers recommendations based on the Risk Assessment, and they must use all equipment correctly. Additionally, some general tips about staying safe at home should be considered:

• Create a healthy morning routine.
• Stay active with regular stretching.
• Make the home office ergonomic and use all DSE/VDU equipment safely.
• Remember to leave the home and socialize with coworkers.

 

Training Requirements

To help employees adopt safe working practices, the eLearn Safety has developed a number of fully online courses. Some of these courses are:

• Cyber Bullying Awareness
• Cyber Security Awareness
• GDPR Training
• Mindfulness Practice
• VDU/DSE Office
• Workplace Safety – Level 1
• Workplace Stress Awareness
• and many more!

 

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

Slips, Trips and Falls

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common causes of injury in the workplace. Injuries stemming from slips, trips and falls can cause anything from minor bruising to fractures and serious injuries resulting in time off work.

 

Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls

Most common causes of slips, trips and falls are:

• Wet floors.
• Floors of floor coverings in poor conditions.
• Damaged stair treads or loose stair carpets.
• Inappropriate footwear.
• Carrying items that obstruct the person’s view.
• Trailing electrical cables.
• Blocked route ways.
• Poor lighting.

However, it should be mentioned that the majority of all slips, trips and falls accidents are caused by poor housekeeping. Many of these housekeeping problems can be easily solved. For example, ensuring all walkways are kept clear at all times and suitable for purpose. All work areas should be regularly inspected by supervisors.

 

Some of the Controls for Slips, Trips and Falls

Undoubtedly, the best way to deal with any hazards is prevention. For example, to prevent slips, trips and falls we can implement some of control measures:

• Good housekeeping.
• Safe systems of work and effective supervision.
• Good maintenance and repair.
• Using non-slip flooring and footwear.
• Providing suitable located sockets to avoid trailing cables.
• Using safety signage. For example, wet floor signs.

In short, the above control measures may prevent, or at least reduce injuries caused by slips and falls. Equally important is to include slips, trips and falls in the workplace risk assessment. This is not only a legal requirement but also common sense. Assessing slips, trips and falls hazards will help to systematically approach risk mitigation and monitoring. Without doubt, this will reduce the risk to the minimum.

 

Training Requirements

Slips and trips account for a significant amount of workplace injuries. As a result, the most common injuries of slips and trips are injuries involving arm, wrist and ankle fractures. However, they can result in more serious injuries or fatalities. For example, falls specifically are a major cause of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Slips, trips and falls can affect you regardless of the industry you work in or whether you work indoors or outdoors.

To help with raising awareness about Slips, Trips and Falls, the eLearn Safety has developed a fully online Slips, Trips and Falls course. This course is ideal for every employee in any workplace that’s subject to Health and Safety Legislation. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. It provides all employees who participate in this course essential information on how to identify and prevent these hazards. For this reason, eLearn Safety has a limited offer on Slips, Trips and Falls course. The usual price for this course is €25 but using SLTRFLOCT1825 discount code at the check-out will allow a €10 price reduction. The price you pay is €15! This offer is available until 25th October 2024.

 

Further Reading

The HSA has published a range of useful information about Slips, Trips and Falls. This information can be accessed via their web page title Slips, Trips and Falls.

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

 

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

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

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

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