First Aid Provision
Employers are faced with a number of difficult decisions when deciding on the level of first aid cover they should provide in the workplace. In the United Kingdom there are over 1 million workplace accidents which take place every year, in addition to the number of people that fall ill at work. It doesn’t matter what may have caused the accident it is vitally important that the injured party receives treatment immediately and if it is serious an ambulance is called. A suitable policy on first aid at work will cover all arrangements employers need to make to ensure that appropriate levels of cover are provided. First aid measures are not intended to replace proper medical diagnosis and treatment but provide temporary support until professional medical assistance is available.
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations were made on 29 June 1981. Under these regulations it is an employers legal duty to ensure that adequate provision for first aid in the workplace is made for all employees should they be injured or fall ill at work. Employers must also inform employees of the first aid provision that has been made for them.
Employers should be prepared for any type of accident. The level of provision is determined by various risk factors, such as the equipment used at a factory and number of employees. There are two levels of first aid provision, firstly the appointed person will take charge when someone is injured or falls ill including calling an ambulance. They are also responsible for first aid equipment including stocking the First Aid box. The second level is the provision of fully trained first aider; this is someone who has received HSE approved training in administering first aid at work and holds a current first aid at work certificate.
Warehouse Safety
Many Employers are aware of the dangers facing employees in a warehouse environment. However, it is important for the Employers to pay particular attention and focus to the major issues causing accidents and injuries to employees in a warehouse environment.
Falls from height are an all too common occurrence in a warehouse, particularly where employees have been climbing racking or using defective ladders. Employers should ensure that all employees are aware of the risks from falls from height, that they have received suitable training and that appropriate signs have been displayed. Employers should also ensure that all fragile roofs have been marked and that employees and Contractors are aware of the potential hazards from fragile roofs.
The potential risks from falling objects should also be considered, all racking should have a safe working load displayed and all pallets should be in good condition.
Internal transport such as forklift trucks can be one of the greatest hazards in a warehouse environment. It is important that fork lift operators are competent to use the fork lift trucks. The trucks themselves should be maintained in good condition and regularly serviced. Importantly pedestrians and vehicles should be kept apart, preferably through the creation of pedestrian walkways. Employers should consider the risks from staff and visitors being hit by vehicle, in addition to people and objects falling from objects.
Employers should provide appropriate PPE which may be in the form of high visibility jackets and ensure that this is monitored and policed. The risks presented by reversing vehicles must also be assessed.
Health and Safety E-Learning
Heath and Safety training is a fundamental obligation for any employer and there are a number of legislative provisions which require, in one form or another necessary information, instruction and training to be provided to employees. To ensure it is effective training must be moulded and structured to the needs of the organisation. This is in turn in very time consuming and involves such trials as organizing classrooms, and planning around individual’s schedules and production time.
Many employers have now seen the benefits of E-Learning as a training medium. As a minimum an E-Learning solution offers employer’s significant benefits in terms of time saved in both the planning and the delivery of essential training as well as a potential reduction in the costs associated with the training and human resources.
A common issue with any type of traditional training method is that it is difficult to deliver the information in the same way, every time – especially if you have multi sites or home workers. An E-Learning solution solves this problem as it always delivers the same accurate information every time someone logs in.
In an environment where there are many transient workers it is difficult for traditional training methods to ensure everyone receives the correct level of suitable and sufficient training. This is particularly the case if workers are only employed for a short period of time. E-Learning allows the employer the flexibility of ensuring these workers are given a suitable level of training whenever they start.
Most E-learning solutions are delivered via the Internet which gives the employee and the employer flexibility in that any user can complete their training from work, home or anywhere in the world. Many Learners will also find the E-Learning experience beneficial as the training can be completed at a pace that suits them.