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Please use the links, videos and files on padlet to complete the Animal Centre Workbook. The workbook must be completed for the start of term in September. You will be undergoing a 30 question multiple choice exam to assess your ability to pass the qualification. Good luck!

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Please download a copy of the workbook and use the links to help you complete it

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Use the website for contact infomration, term dates and course infromation

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Download our app

Click on the App Store or Google Play logos below to download the College app.

Check out our latest events!

Our response to Coronavirus

In light of the Government's announcement to close Schools and Colleges, the College campuses will be closed from 16.30 on Friday 20 March 2020 until further notice.

However, we are adopting a virtual and distance learning approach for students; which staff have been preparing for and are ready to support students remotely. With the wellbeing of our students and staff in mind, continuity at this time is essential and at West Suffolk College we will be operating as normal - just not from the college campuses. If students have upcoming exams or synoptic assessments, please do not worry, we will keep students updated once we have any information.
Click below to read the full statement

West Suffolk College is one of the country's leading further education and apprenticeship providers - apprenticeship results have consistently remained above the national average for the past six years. We offer dozens of foundation and honours degrees at our focused and inclusive Degree Studies Centre. We have around 11,000 students with nearly 2,000 apprentices studying with us including at the STEM Innovation Campus and Milburn Campus as well as our learning centres including Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Ipswich, Sudbury, Thetford. We've worked with 998 employers over the last year. A fantastic 97% of students go on to further education, employment or voluntary work.

For more information, ask us a question or call 01284 701 301. For term dates, click here.

Just now

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West Suffolk College - Diplomas, Degrees & Apprenticeships

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West Suffolk College is one of the country's leading Apprenticeship providers - apprenticeship results have consistently remained above the national average for the past six years. We offer dozens of foundation and honours degrees at our focused and inclusive Degree Studies Centre.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY INTRODUCTION

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Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.

PPE is equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

Why is PPE important?

Case study

A commercial gardener was using a petrol-driven strimmer to trim undergrowth. He hit a piece of unseen debris, which was thrown into the air and caught him in the eye. He lost the sight in that eye because he was not wearing protective goggles, which was advised in the manufacturer's written instructions for using the strimmer.

How similar accidents can be prevented

Ensure those operating strimmers are trained to recognise the hazards posed by unseen debris and wear appropriate PPE, including protective goggles.

Making the workplace safe includes providing instructions, procedures, training and supervision to encourage people to work safely and responsibly.

Even where engineering controls and safe systems of work have been applied, some hazards might remain. These include injuries to:

the lungs, eg from breathing in contaminated air

the head and feet, eg from falling materials

the eyes, eg from flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids

the skin, eg from contact with corrosive materials

the body, eg from extremes of heat or cold

PPE is needed in these cases to reduce the risk.

What do I have to do?

Selection and use

You should ask yourself the following questions:

When selecting and using PPE:

Choose products which are CE marked in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 - suppliers can advise you

Choose equipment that suits the user - consider the size, fit and weight of the PPE. If the users help choose it, they will be more likely to use it

If more than one item of PPE is worn at the same time, make sure they can be used together, eg wearing safety glasses may disturb the seal of a respirator, causing air leaks

Instruct and train people how to use it, eg train people to remove gloves without contaminating their skin. Tell them why it is needed, when to use it and what its limitations are

Other advice on PPE

Maintenance

PPE must be properly looked after and stored when not in use, eg in a dry, clean cupboard. If it is reusable it must be cleaned and kept in good condition.

Think about:

using the right replacement parts which match the original, eg respirator filters

keeping replacement PPE available

who is responsible for maintenance and how it is to be done

having a supply of appropriate disposable suits which are useful for dirty jobs where laundry costs are high, eg for visitors who need protective clothing

Employees must make proper use of PPE and report its loss or destruction or any fault in it.

Monitor and review

Types of PPE you can use

Eyes

Hazards

Chemical or metal splash, dust, projectiles, gas and vapour, radiation

Options

Safety spectacles, goggles, face screens, faceshields, visors

Note

Make sure the eye protection chosen has the right combination of impact/dust/splash/molten metal eye protection for the task and fits the user properly

Head and neck

Hazards

Impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair getting tangled in machinery, chemical drips or splash, climate or temperature

Options

Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, hairnets and firefighters' helmets

Note

Ears

Hazards

Noise - a combination of sound level and duration of exposure, very high-level sounds are a hazard even with short duration

Options

Earplugs, earmuffs, semi-insert/canal caps

Note

Provide the right hearing protectors for the type of work, and make sure workers know how to fit them

Choose protectors that reduce noise to an acceptable level, while allowing for safety and communication

Hands and arms

Hazards

Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, radiation, biological agents and prolonged immersion in water

Options

Gloves, gloves with a cuff, gauntlets and sleeving that covers part or all of the arm

Note

Avoid gloves when operating machines such as bench drills where the gloves might get caught

Some materials are quickly penetrated by chemicals - take care in selection, see HSE's skin at work website

Barrier creams are unreliable and are no substitute for proper PPE

Wearing gloves for long periods can make the skin hot and sweaty, leading to skin problems. Using separate cotton inner gloves can help prevent this

Feet and legs

Hazards

Wet, hot and cold conditions, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, vehicles

Options

Safety boots and shoes with protective toecaps and penetration-resistant, mid-sole wellington boots and specific footwear, eg foundry boots and chainsaw boots

Note

Footwear can have a variety of sole patterns and materials to help prevent slips in different conditions, including oil - or chemical-resistant soles. It can also be anti-static, electrically conductive or thermally insulating

Appropriate footwear should be selected for the risks identified

Lungs

Hazards

Oxygen-deficient atmospheres, dusts, gases and vapours

Options - respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

Note

The right type of respirator filter must be used as each is effective for only a limited range of substances

Filters have only a limited life. Where there is a shortage of oxygen or any danger of losing consciousness due to exposure to high levels of harmful fumes, only use breathing apparatus - never use a filtering cartridge

You will need to use breathing apparatus in a confined space or if there is a chance of an oxygen deficiency in the work area

If you are using respiratory protective equipment, look at HSE's publication Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide

Whole body

Hazards

Heat, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, contaminated dust, impact or penetration, excessive wear or entanglement of own clothing

Options

Conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, aprons, chemical suits

Note

The choice of materials includes flame-retardant, anti-static, chain mail, chemically impermeable, and high-visibility

Don't forget other protection, like safety harnesses or life jackets

Emergency equipment

Careful selection, maintenance and regular and realistic operator training is needed for equipment for use in emergencies, like compressed-air escape breathing apparatus, respirators and safety ropes or harnesses.

Find out more

The law

The current legislation which refers to the supply of personal protective equipment is the The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2016/425, which is enforced by the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018. HSE are the enforcing authority for the supply of PPE that is designed for use at work.

The current legislation which relates to the use of personal protective equipment is the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. The latest details are available on legislation.gov.uk. Other special regulations cover hazardous substances (including lead and asbestos), and also noise and radiation.

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Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work. PPE is equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses.

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As part of managing the health and safety of your business you must control the risks in your workplace. To do this you need to think about what might cause harm to people and decide whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that harm. This is known as risk assessment and it is something you are required by law to carry out. If you have fewer than five employees you don't have to write anything down.

A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork , but rather about identifying sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace. You are probably already taking steps to protect your employees, but your risk assessment will help you decide whether you have covered all you need to.

Think about how accidents and ill health could happen and concentrate on real risks - those that are most likely and which will cause the most harm.

For some risks, other regulations require particular control measures. Your assessment can help you identify where you need to look at certain risks and these particular control measures in more detail. These control measures do not have to be assessed separately but can be considered as part of, or an extension of, your overall risk assessment.

How to assess the risks in your workplace

Many organisations, where you are confident you understand what's involved, can do the assessment themselves. You don't have to be a health and safety expert.

When thinking about your risk assessment, remember:

a hazard is anything that may cause harm; these can be hazards to physical health such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer or to mental health - if, for example the common causes of work-related mental ill health e.g. demands, control and support for individuals are not properly managed in the workplace

the risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be

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As part of managing the health and safety of your business you must control the risks in your workplace. To do this you need to think about what might cause harm to people and decide whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that harm.

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Five Steps To Risk Assessment at Workplace | Green World Group

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Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland

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Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work

Employers should provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training in its usage to their employees wherever there is a risk to health and safety.

PPE should be worn as a last resort. Whenever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled by other ways, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations require PPE to be worn.

What is PPE?

PPE is equipment that will protect the user against health and safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets and hard hats, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses.

Can Employers charge for PPE?

An employer cannot charge employees for their PPE, whether it is returnable or not. This includes agency workers, if they are legally regarded as employees.

Assessing and choosing PPE

Employers should make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health and safety from exposure to the hazards within the workplace. For example, if there is a risk of objects falling from above then a safety helmet or a hard hat should be worn. If there is a risk of crushing, then safety boots should be worn to guard against broken toes.

The need for PPE must be identified through risk assessment. As with all risk assessments, those carrying them out must be competent to do so and have the necessary knowledge and experience of the methods of work.

In addition to identifying the need for PPE, it is essential that the right type of PPE is specified and provided.

All new PPE must be CE marked. The CE mark signifies that the PPE satisfies certain basic, minimum safety requirements.

Training

Employers should make sure employees using PPE are made aware as to why it is needed, when to use it, how it can be replaced and who to report it to if the PPE is damaged.

Employers should train and instruct employees on how to use PPE properly and make sure they are doing this. Managers and supervisors should be included in the training to ensure they know how to use PPE correctly.

It is important that users wear PPE all the time they are exposed to the risk. Employers should never allow exemptions for those jobs which take "just a few minutes".

Employers should regularly check that PPE is being used.

Safety signs can be a useful reminder that PPE is required. Make sure that employees understand these signs, what they mean and where they can get PPE for visitors and contractors.

Maintenance

Employees should look after their PPE and employers should provide proper storage facilities when it is not being used for example a clean, dry store room or cupboard.

PPE should be kept clean and in good repair. Always follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule (including recommended replacement periods and shelf lives).

Simple maintenance can be carried out by the trained wearer, but more detailed repairs should only be done by specialists.

Replacement parts for PPE should match the original. It is also necessary to ensure that suitable replacement PPE is always readily available.

Noise hazards

Anyone working in the vicinity of a noisy machine will require ear defenders to be worn to protect their hearing.

Question - Can ear defenders be replaced with other ways to protect hearing?

Answer - Yes, it is always best to control the risk at source and not rely on PPE for protection.

The following are some means by which the risk of hearing loss can be reduced:

position a noisy machine outside the workplace and away from workers

surround machine in a sound absorbing enclosure

ensure machines are maintained and serviced regularly

purchase machines that are less noisy

PPE - key points

Consider whether there are ways other than using PPE to adequately control the risk. If not, ensure the the following points are taken into account:

suitable PPE is provided

PPE offers adequate protection for intended use

those using PPE are adequately trained in its safe use

PPE is properly maintained and any defects are reported

PPE is returned to its proper storage after use

The following HSE webpage and publications provide more information on PPE:

Key legislation

Other special regulations cover hazardous substances (including lead and asbestos), and noise and radiation.

Please note that this link is to the original legislation.Visitors should verify for themselves whether legislation is in force or whether it has been amended or repealed by subsequent legislation.

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Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work. Employers should provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training in its usage to their employees wherever there is a risk to health and safety. PPE should be worn as a last resort.

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The definition of a risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying hazards and evaluating any associated risks within a workplace, then implementing reasonable control measures to remove or reduce them.

When completing a risk assessment, it is important to clearly define some keywords:

An accident is 'an unplanned event that results in loss'

A hazard is 'something that has the potential to cause harm'

A risk is 'the likelihood and the severity of a negative occurrence (injury, ill-health, damage, loss) resulting from a hazard.'

Additional training may be required if you need to complete or re-assess your risk management procedures. Completing training such as our Level 2 Award in Principles of Risk Assessment course will help ensure a risk assessment is suitable and sufficiently detailed.

Different types of risk assessments

The types of risk assessment required within any workplace should be proportionate and relevant to the operational activities being undertaken. In many industries, there are specific legislative requirements that apply. For example, in environments where hazardous substances are used a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Assessment (COSHH) should be completed (for more information see What is COSHH?).

Some common types of risk assessments include:

Fire risk assessments: fire safety management procedures are required to be established in all workplaces including a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

Manual handling risk assessments: should be conducted in any workplace where an employee may be at risk from injury and/or ill-health through the need to lift, carry, move loads.

Display screen equipment (DSE) risk assessments: are required to be completed in workplaces where employees (and others) are using computers, laptops, etc.

COSHH risk assessments: are required within workplaces where hazardous substances are stored, used or manufactured.

A business may also choose to complete a Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) dependent upon the nature of the operations being carried out. This process contains details of the hazard and a step-by-step procedure on how to complete work and suitably control the risks identified. This process is commonly used within the construction industry.

Why are risk assessments important?

As previously stated, carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments is the primary management tool in effective risk management. It is a legal requirement for any employer and must be documented wherever five or more people are employed.

Risk assessment is a straightforward and structured method of ensuring the risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of employees (and others) are suitably eliminated, reduced or controlled

The main purpose of risk assessments are:

To identify health and safety hazards and evaluate the risks presented within the workplace

To evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of existing control measures

To ensure additional controls (including procedural) are implemented wherever the remaining risk is considered to be anything other than low.

To prioritise further resources if needed to ensure the above.

It can be a costly lesson for a business if they fail to have necessary controls in place. They could face not only financial loss (through fines, civil actions, etc) but also loss in respect of production time, damage to equipment, time to train replacement employees and negative publicity amongst others.

A recent article in BSC Safety Management magazine outlines an incident where a business was 'fined £274,000 after two workers became trapped in moving machinery in two separate incidents' ( see 2 Sisters fined after finger and thumb severed at poultry factory.) In the report, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Saffron Turnell noted that "companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards." It is cases like this one that should act as a warning for all business and highlight the importance of risk assessments.

Who is responsible for the completion of risk assessments?

It is the responsibility of the employer (or self-employed person) to carry out the risk assessment at work or to appoint someone with the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to do so.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that an employer must take reasonable steps 'for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective measures.' So even if the task of risk management is delegated, it is ultimately the responsibility of the management within any business to ensure it is effectively completed.

Once hazards have been identified, the associated risks evaluated and steps taken to minimise the potential effects, the next step for an employer is to clearly and effectively communicate the risk assessment process and content to relevant parties.

The process of communication is more effectively achieved if the relevant persons are involved with the risk assessment process at every stage. The person carrying out an activity or task is often best placed to provide details on the associated hazards and risks and should participate fully in the completion of the risk assessment.

Additional training may be required - such as our Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment to ensure that a review is completed accurately and effectively.

When to carry out a risk assessment?

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out prior to a particular activity or task being carried out in order to eliminate, reduce or suitably control any associated risk to the health, safety and wellbeing of persons involved with (or affected by) the task/activity in question.

Once completed a risk assessment should be reviewed periodically (proportionate to the level of risk involved) and in any case when either the current assessment is no longer valid and/or if at any stage there has been significant changes to the specific activity or task.

Relevant risk assessments should be reviewed following an accident, incident or ill-health event in order to verify if the control measures and level of evaluated risk where appropriate or require amendment.

How to carry out a risk assessment?

The HSE has recommended a five-step process for completing a risk assessment. This provides a useful checklist to follow to ensure that the assessment is suitably comprehensive. It involves:

1. Identifying potential hazards

2. Identifying who might be harmed by those hazards

3. Evaluating risk (severity and likelihood) and establishing suitable precautions

4. Implementing controls and recording your findings

5. Reviewing your assessment and re-assessing if necessary.

Step 1. Identify potential hazards
It is important to firstly identify any potential hazards within a workplace that may cause harm to anyone that comes into contact with them. They may not always be obvious so some simple steps you can take to identify hazards are:

Observation: Walking around your workplace and looking at what activities, tasks, processes or substances used could harm your employees (or others)

Looking back over past accidents and ill-health records as they may identify less obvious hazards

Checking manufacturers' data sheets, instructions, information and guidance

Consulting with employees (and others) who are carrying out the activities, tasks or processes.

It may be useful to group hazards into five categories, namely physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychological.
Step 2. Identify who might be harmed by those hazards
Next, identify who might be harmed by those potential hazards. It should also be noted how they could be affected, be it through direct contact or indirect contact. It is not necessary to list people by name, rather by identifying groups including:

Some hazards may present a higher risk to certain groups including children, young people, new or expectant mothers, new employees, home workers, and lone workers.
Step 3. Evaluate risk severity and establish precautions
After identifying any hazards and who might be affected, it is important to evaluate the severity the risk may present (should it occur) and establish suitable and effective controls to reduce this level of risk as far as is 'reasonably practicable'. This means that everything possible is done to ensure health and safety considering all relevant factors including:

Likelihood that harm may occur

Severity of harm that may occur

Knowledge about eliminating, reducing or controlling hazards and risks

Availability of control measures designed to eliminate, reduce or suitably control or the risk

Costs associated with available control measures designed to eliminate, reduce or suitably control or the risk

Assessing the severity of a risk requires an evaluation of the likelihood of an occurrence and how substantial the consequences that it may cause. Some factors affecting this evaluation include the duration and frequency of exposure, number of persons affected, competence of those exposed, the type of equipment and its condition, and availability of first-aid provision and/or emergency support.

Step 4. Implement changes and record your findings
If a workplace has five or more individuals, significate findings of the risk assessments are required to be kept either electronically or in writing. Recording your findings on a risk assessment form is an easy way to keep track of the risks and control measures put in place to reduce the identified risk. The form includes:

What hazards were found

Person(s) or groups affected

The controls put in place to manage risks and who is monitoring them

Who carried out the assessment

On what date the assessment was done.

It is sensible to ensure the risk assessment is proportionate to the activity or task being carried out and this can often be a straightforward process for generic tasks.
Step 5. Review your assessment and reassess if necessary
Employers should periodically review the assessment and if necessary, re-assess any controls in place.

A good guide as to when you may need to review your processes are:

After any significant change within the workplace or process in question

After an accident or ill-health incident has occurred

After near-misses have been reported.

What documentation do you need?
It is a misconception that risk assessments inherently involve a vast amount of paperwork. It can be as straight forward as completing a basic risk assessment form for many generic tasks or activities.

However, employers should make sure they record significant findings including:

Any hazards identified

What controls are in currently in place, and information on any further control measures that may be required

Any individuals that have been identified as being especially at risk.

There is no set amount of time that you are required to retain the risk assessment, but it is best practice to keep it as long as is considered relevant to a particular task or activity.

Risk assessments are an integral part of ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone within the workplace. The Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment course is a short course recommended for anyone who has to carry out risk assessments or wants to understand the process more fully.

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Risk Assessment and Management: A Complete Guide | British Safety Council

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The definition of a risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying hazards and evaluating any associated risks within a workplace, then implementing reasonable control measures to remove or reduce them.

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Manual Handling Training Back to Basics   YouTube

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Please note if you are a provider registered with CQC, and with premises located in England, CQC is the relevant regulatory body for patient safety matters

The type and amount of equipment needed will vary according to the specific needs of care service users. When providing equipment, providers should consider:

the needs of the individual - helping to maintain, wherever possible, independence

the safety of the individual and staff

Necessary equipment may include:

a selection of hoists - eg hoists to raise fallen individuals from the floor, standing hoists, mobile hoists etc

bath hoists or bath lifts and/or adjustable height baths

a sufficient number of slings of different types and sizes

slide sheets

transfer boards used to assist in moving from and to different furniture (eg. seat to wheelchair)

turntables used to assist in turning people around

electric profiling beds - for dependent/immobile residents

wheelchairs

handling belts to assist residents who can support their own weight, e.g. to help them stand up. They should not be used for lifting

lifting cushions used to assist people to get up from the floor or bath

bed levers, support rails/poles

emergency evacuation equipment

suitable walking aids, hand rails etc for people needing minor assistance

bariatric equipment (ie for use with very heavy people)

other homecare handling equipment - see the Disabled Living Foundationwebsite for examples

Introduce equipment only after assessment and use in accordance with the care plan and manufacturer's instructions.

Moving and handling equipment used for health and social care may be classified as medical devices. The supply and design of such devices or equipment is regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Find guidance on managing medical devices and information on how to report defects, adverse incidents or problems with equipment on the MHRA website.

Using hoists safely

It is important that safe working procedures are followed during hoisting to avoid accidents that can result in serious or fatal injuries.

Problems include:

selection of the wrong size sling - which can result in discomfort if the sling is too small, and/or the person slipping through if it is too large. Staff should be aware that sling sizes and coding vary between manufacturers

wrong type of hoist or sling for the individual, or task - which can lead to inadequate support and a risk of falling. For example, toileting slings give a great degree of access, but little support

incompatibility of hoist and sling can result in insecure attachment between the two. Follow the manufacturer's advice and refer any concerns about sling/hoist design, supply, manufacturer's instructions or compatibility to the MHRA, the regulator for medical devices

failure of equipment due to lack of maintenance/inspection

leaving a vulnerable person unattended in a hoist; or in a position where they might be at risk of falling

overturning of the hoist due to difficult surfaces, transporting an individual over a long distance on a hoist, or not following the manufacturer's instructions

failure to use a safety harness, belt or attachment appropriately. Some slings come with different length loops for attachment to the hoist to increase comfort or the range of positions. You must choose the correct loops so that an individual is not at risk of slipping from the sling. Use the same loop configuration on both sides to reduce the risk of sideways falling

The individual's risk assessment and care plan for hoisting should specify:

which hoist to use for which task

type and size of sling and any configurations of loops or leg attachments

use of any additional safety devices such as safety belts

number of carers needed to carry out the task

any other relevant information specific to the person being hoisted

You must communicate this information to staff and keep it accessible for easy reference. It is common practice to include assessments in individual care plans or profiles and provide an additional quick reference guide in a convenient place, eg on the inside of the resident's wardrobe door.

For further information on using hoists safely, please see our information sheet Getting to grips with hoisting (HSIS3).

Maintenance of lifting equipment

Where lifting equipment, including hoists and slings, is used by people who are at work, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) apply. For further information please see our equipment safety pages.

More information on LOLER and safe hoisting and maintaining lifting equipment can be found at:

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control of substances hazardous to health regulations

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Please note if you are a provider registered with CQC, and with premises located in England, CQC is the relevant regulatory body for patient safety matters The type and amount of equipment needed will vary according to the specific needs of care service users.

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Types of Fire Extinguisher and Their Uses

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The fire drill is an unavoidable event that evokes all kinds of emotions - there's the summertime fire drill, when everyone is all too happy to put down tools and have five minutes in the sunshine chatting.
Then there's the rainy day fire drill, that invariably makes you trudge outside in the cold and the rain - without stopping to collect belongings or, more importantly, coats!

But despite the mixed reactions, or the time of year, fire drills are an absolutely essential event in every work calendar...

1. Practice makes perfect!

The first, and most important reason for a fire drill is the experience it gives. It's vital that everyone in the building knows and understands the evacuation plan, so in the event of a real emergency, they know which staircase to take, where the fire exits are located, where the assembly point is and most importantly - that there is no need to panic.

Your staff should undergo sufficient fire awareness training to prepare them for an emergency and ensure they have all the information they need to respond appropriately to a fire drill or real situation.

2. Identify weak spots

No matter how thoroughly you organise your escape from a burning building, it will never go to plan. There might be a corridor blocked with a stationary delivery that hasn't been unloaded yet or a door that has been inadvertently locked for security, that you never realised could present a fire hazard until it's hindering your escape route.

A fire drill presents the perfect opportunity to tighten up on rules and amend your risk assessment to ensure nothing like this happens in the event of a real fire outbreak.

3. Test alarms

Although it is a legal requirement that your alarms are tested weekly to ensure they never fail in an emergency, it's all too easy to overlook checking a sounder in the ladies bathroom, or the visual alarm devices on the top floor.

In the event of a fire drill, everything will have to be tested. Your fire marshal will have to check every area of your premises and account for every body - and it will be evident the loo alarms aren't working if a straggler appears a few minutes after everyone else exclaiming that they didn't hear the alarm.

4. Fulfil your legal obligations

Of course, one of the most important reasons to carry our regular fire drills is to comply with the law. According to legislation, you are required to fit your premises with an appropriate fire warning system and use it to carry out at least one fire drill every year, during working hours and it must include all staff. Every time you hire new staff, you should inform them of the fire drill procedure and ensure they are aware of all risks and the formal evacuation plan.

Every fire drill you carry out must then be recorded and if the results are less than satisfactory, you should carry out another risk assessment and update your evacuation plan to resolve any potential problems.

5. Do you have everything you need?

Since your last fire drill, your work environment may have changed, you may have hired more staff, or even staff with mobility problems or changed the layout of your premises. Although any changes in your environment should instigate a new risk assessment and result in an updated plan, testing the new plan with a fire drill is the perfect way to check you have got it right.

It may become apparent that you need to install more emergency lighting or a new fire escape sign, or even invest in a new alarm with flashing beacons to warn deaf people or the hard of hearing. Whatever your fire drill uncovers, it allows you the chance to correct it quickly in case of a real emergency.
Keeping all your staff fully trained is the best way to ensure a fire drill is effective at fulfilling every purpose. For more information about your legal requirements, the best way to protect our business and staff and professional fire awareness training for your team - contact the experts at Health & Safety Training Ltd.

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5 Reasons Fire Drills are Essential for Every Business - Health & Safety Training Ltd

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The fire drill is an unavoidable event that evokes all kinds of emotions - there's the summertime fire drill, when everyone is all too happy to put down tools and have five minutes in the sunshine chatting. Then there's the rainy day fire drill, that invariably makes you trudge outside in the cold and the ...

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PUWER requires that: all work equipment be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient order and in good repair; where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept up to date; and that maintenance operations on work equipment can be carried out safely.

What you must do

In order to ensure work equipment does not deteriorate to the extent that it may put people at risk, employers, the relevant self-employed and others in control of work equipment are required by PUWER to keep it 'maintained in an efficient state, in efficient order and in good repair'. If you are self-employed and your work poses no risk to the health and safety of others, then health and safety law may not apply to you. HSE has guidance to help you understand if the law applies. Such effective maintenance can not only help in meeting PUWER requirements but can also serve other business objectives, such as improved productivity and reduced environmental impact.

The frequency and nature of maintenance should be determined through risk assessment, taking full account of:

the manufacturer's recommendations

the intensity of use

operating environment (eg the effect of temperature, corrosion, weathering)

user knowledge and experience

the risk to health and safety from any foreseeable failure or malfunction

Safety-critical parts of work equipment may need a higher and more frequent level of attention than other aspects, which can be reflected within any maintenance programme. Breakdown maintenance, undertaken only after faults or failures have occurred, will not be suitable where significant risk will arise from the continued use of the work equipment.

The manufacturer's instructions should describe what maintenance is required to keep the equipment safe and how this can be done safely. These instructions should always be followed, unless there are justifiable reasons for not doing so (eg where more frequent maintenance is necessary, due to intense use, adverse environmental conditions or when other experience shows this need). Maintenance on a less frequent basis than the manufacturer's recommendation should be subject to careful risk assessment and the reasons for doing so should be reviewed at appropriate intervals. For example, where there is already an inspection regime, perhaps for lightly used equipment, less frequent maintenance may be justified because of the condition monitoring already provided by the inspection programme.

There is no requirement for you to keep a maintenance log, although it is recommended for high-risk equipment. Maintenance logs can provide useful information for the future planning of maintenance, as well as informing maintenance personnel of previous action taken. However, if you have a maintenance log, you must keep it up to date.

Undertaking maintenance safely

Steps should be taken to manage any risks arising from maintenance activity. Manufacturer's instructions should make recommendations on how to safely undertake maintenance of their work equipment and, unless there are good reasons otherwise, these should always be followed.

Where possible, equipment should normally be shut down and any residual / stored energy safely released (eg pneumatic pressure dumped, parts with gravitational / rotational energy stopped or brought to a safe position). For high-risk equipment, positive means of disconnecting the equipment from the energy source may be required (eg isolation), along with means to prevent inadvertent reconnection (eg by locking off). Formal systems of work, such as a permit to work, are required in some cases to safely manage high-risk maintenance operations.

In some cases, it may not be possible to avoid particular significant hazards during the maintenance of work equipment so appropriate measures should be taken to protect people and minimise the risk. These may include:

physical measures, eg providing temporary guarding, slow speed hold-to-run control devices, safe means of access, personal protective equipment, etc

management issues, including safe systems of work, supervision, monitoring

personnel competence (training, skill, awareness and knowledge of risk)

It is important that these situations are properly assessed. Staff undertaking maintenance may need to undertake significant on-the-job risk assessment (essentially considering what could go wrong and how to avoid injury), as the situation may develop and change in ways that could not be foreseen at the outset.

HSE's Safe maintenance health check provides a question list which can help you in undertaking safe maintenance, while there is also a short video forming part of the current European Campaign on Safe Maintenance.

Work equipment may need to be constructed or adapted in a way that takes account of the risks associated with maintenance work. For example, lubrication and adjustment points can be repositioned / adapted to enable the work to be carried out at ground level; safe means of access can be provided on the equipment (eg handholds, anti-slip surfaces for feet), or so that guarding to prevent contact with dangerous parts can be kept in place. In most cases (all machinery supplied since 1995), this should have been taken into account by the manufacturer in the design of the equipment, and by you when deciding which product to purchase. However, this may not always be the case and it may not apply to older work equipment on your site.

What you should know

The duty to maintain work equipment ( PUWER regulation 5) and take measures to manage the risks from maintenance ( PUWER regulation 22) builds on the general duties of section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires work equipment to be maintained so that it is safe, and work to be undertaken safely, so far as reasonably practicable.

Closely linked to maintenance are the duties to inspect work equipment (PUWER regulation 6, and 33 for power presses) and undertake thorough examinations (LOLER regulation 9, and PUWER regulation 32 for power presses). Inspection may be part of the overall maintenance programme and, like thorough examination, may be one of the techniques for validating the maintenance programme.

Who can undertake maintenance of work equipment

Maintenance work should only be undertaken by those who are competent to do the work, who have been provided with sufficient information, instruction and training (PUWER regulations 8 and 9). With high-risk or complex equipment, these demands may be significant and, in some cases, may be best undertaken by the manufacturer or specialist contractors. But, in many cases, maintenance can be done in-house by suitably trained, competent staff.

For some maintenance work, eg the changing of abrasive wheels, there are well-established industry training schemes. In other cases, such as for the use of small-scale scaffold towers, sufficient training may be provided by the hirers of such equipment. In others, such as hand-held chainsaws, training on the safe maintenance of the equipment is normally provided as an integral part of the basic training in the safe use of the equipment.

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PUWER requires that: all work equipment be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient order and in good repair; where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept up to date; and that maintenance operations on work equipment can be carried out safely.

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Fire extinguishers

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Ever seen those square orange symbols on bottles and tins like paint and cleaning substances, and wondered what they mean? Or you might already be familiar with new diamond black and red COSHH symbols, that replaced the orange symbols in 2017. Or that might just have added to the confusion!

The square orange and black COSHH symbols that have been around for years under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations - known as CHIP.

The diamond red and black COSHH symbols are newer and were introduced by the European Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (known as the CLP Regulations). They have been gradually phased in since 2009.

What do both groups of symbols have in common? Orange or red. Square or diamond. They are hazard symbols given to chemicals and substances that are hazardous to health. Both CHIP and the CLP Regulations ensure that the hazards are clearly communicated to workers and consumers. On packaging, labelling and datasheets.

Both sets of COSHH symbols were around together for a while. However, the orange symbols have been gradually phased out over the last decade. The red diamond symbols officially replaced the orange symbols on the 1st of June 2017. The new diamond red and black symbols are what you now need to know about, and we are going to cover them in this post.

Explosives

Flammable

Oxidising

Gases under pressure

Corrosive

Toxic

Health hazards

Serious health hazards

Dangerous for the environment

These names are not the official names given to each symbol. In fact, the regulations actually give each symbol to a range of meanings. So some categories might be known by a couple of names, for example, health hazard is sometimes referred to as 'caution'. And serious health hazards is also known as long-term health hazards. Some are fairly self-explanatory, but some are a little more confusing.

While there are 9 COSHH symbols officially in use today (the current red and black ones), the orange pictograms might still be present in older stock and past material safety data sheets (MSDS). So really, there are 18 COSHH symbols, and we will look at which orange symbols have been replaced (and removed).

It's not just the colour of the COSHH symbols that changed. New meanings were introduced, and some symbols were phased out. If you want to know what changed since the old square orange and black symbols, we will look at that too.

Placed on the packaging of hazardous substances, COSHH symbols are there to tell you about the type of hazard a substance presents. A substance may be classified as one or more of the following 9 types:

Explosives

Flammable

Oxidising

Gas under pressure

Corrosive

Toxic

Health hazards

Serious health hazards

Dangerous for the environment

Explosives

These are chemicals and preparations that explode. This is a straight replacement for the previous explosive classification. The symbol is a pictogram of an exploding bomb.

Meanings:

Unstable explosive

Explosive; mass explosion hazard.

Explosive; severe projection hazard.

Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard.

May mass explode in fire.

Replaces:

Flammable

Chemicals that may catch fire in contact with air, only need brief contact with an ignition source, have a very low flash point or evolve highly flammable gases in contact with water. It replaces the old classifications of highly flammable and extremely flammable. The symbol is a flame.

Meanings:

Extremely flammable gas.

Flammable gas.

Extremely flammable aerosol.

Flammable aerosol.

Highly flammable liquid and vapour.

Flammable liquid and vapour.

Flammable solid .

Replaces:

Oxidising

A classification for chemicals and preparations that react exothermically with other chemicals. Replaces the previous symbol for oxidising. The symbol is a flame over a circle.

Meanings:

May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser.

May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser.

Usually found on bleach, oxygen for medical purposes etc.

Replaces:

Gas under pressure

Gas stored under pressure, such as in gas containers. This is a new symbol that wasn't represented under the old classification system. The symbol is a gas cylinder.

Meanings:

Contains gas under pressure - may explode if heated.

Contains refrigerated gas - may cause cryogenic burns or injury.

Usually found on gas containers.

Corrosive

Chemicals that may destroy living tissue on contact. Matches the previous symbol for corrosion, the pictogram shows corrosion of material and skin.

Meanings:

May be corrosive to metals.

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

Usually found on drain cleaners, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, ammoniac etc.

Replaces:

Toxic

Chemicals that at low and very low levels cause damage to health. Replacing the old classifications of toxic and very toxic. The symbol is a skull and crossbones.

Meanings:

Fatal if swallowed.

Fatal in contact with skin.

Fatal if inhaled.

Toxic: if swallowed.

Toxic in contact with skin.

Toxic if inhaled.

Replaces:

Health Hazard

Chemicals that may cause damage to health. Also known to mean caution. This is the closest replacement to the previous harmful and irritant classifications. The symbol is an exclamation mark.

Meanings:

May cause respiratory irritation.

May cause drowsiness or dizziness.

May cause an allergic skin reaction.

Causes serious eye irritation.

Causes skin irritation.

Harmful if swallowed.

Harmful in contact with skin.

Harmful if inhaled.

Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere.

Replaces:

Serious Health Hazard

Also known to mean long term health hazards. These are chemicals that can cause serious and long term damage to health. The symbol shows a person with damage.

Meanings:

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.

Causes damage to organs.

May cause damage to organs.

May damage fertility or the unborn child.

Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.

May cause cancer.

Suspected of causing cancer.

May cause genetic defects.

Suspected of causing genetic defects.

May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.

Replaces:

Dangerous for the environment

Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger to one or more components of the environment. The symbol is of a dead tree and fish.

Meanings:

Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Usually found on pesticides, biocides, petrol, turpentine etc.

Replaces:

Want to help make your team aware of the COSHH symbols and meanings? Download the free COSHH symbols PDF download today.

Since COSHH assessments are a legal requirement, if you are working with chemicals that are hazardous to health, and completing the necessary COSHH risk assessments, you should be aware of these symbols. They are included on the packaging of substances to guide you as to the type of hazard it is. These COSHH symbols give you a good indication of the main dangers and risks associated with the substance.

Once you have identified the type of hazardous substance used, you can start assessing the risks to those using the substance. This will help you to pick the safety measures you need to minimise those risks to a safe level.

Don't know where to start? Read 9 ways to comply with COSHH or browse through our COSHH assessment templates.

This article was written by Emma at HASpod. Emma has over 10 years experience in health and safety and BSc (Hons) Construction Management. She is NEBOSH qualified and Tech IOSH.

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The 9 COSHH Hazard Symbols (Meanings And What They Look Like)

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If you are working with chemicals that are hazardous to health, or completing COSHH risk assessments, you should be aware of the symbols that are included on the packaging of substances, and what they mean. These symbols give you a good indication of the main hazards associated with the substance.

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First aid

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Knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference. Our first aid advice will help you deal with a range of common accidents and conditions.

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What steps to take if theres a fire

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When a fire occurs in the workplace, it has the potential to disrupt your business and the people who rely on your goods and services. The higher the number of occupants, the greater the risk.

Fires in the Workplace

Fires are especially dangerous if employees don't know what to do and haven't received clear and concise training and instruction, and equally importantly, haven't taken part in routine and regular fire drills.

Workplace fires could not only cost lives but also livelihoods, as statistics show 59% of all business interruption claims are as a result of fire & explosion.

Prevention is better than the cure

Review your fire risk assessment, and make sure that you have no outstanding actions from your last audit. Make sure that all staff are aware of any fire safety plans and procedures in place, along with the location of fire extinguishers, escape routes and assembly point(s). Ensure that you hold regular fire drills and fire alarm tests so that staff are well aware of their escape routes and their responsibilities.

All workplaces will have their own, individual fire safety measures and plans in place, so familiarise yourself with them. But in addition, familiarise yourself with these general tips about what to do if ever there's a fire in your workplace.

Steps to take if there's a fire in the workplace:

Step 1 - Raise the Alarm

Anyone discovering a fire should raise the alarm immediately, regardless as to how small the outbreak is or how innocuous it appears to be. Fires can develop very quickly and every second counts.

The Fire & Rescue Service should be called, with the name, address and full postcode of the property given clearly, along with any helpful information such as the fire type and location.

If the alarm has sounded automatically, assigned office fire marshals should investigate the alarm condition as everyone else evacuates the building. If it is a genuine fire condition, and if the fire is small and manageable (about the size of a waste paper bin on fire), and the appropriate type of fire extinguisher is available, then somebody may attempt to extinguish the fire, but only if they have been trained to do so.

They should make sure that their escape route is never compromised by the fire, as well as ensuring they are confident that they understand the fire type and adjacent risks. Similarly, they should retreat if, despite their best efforts, the fire continues to grow. Fire marshals will "sweep" their designated areas of the building to ensure that everyone is out safely.
In Summary:

Raise the alarm.

Call the Fire Service.

Fire Marshals should check escape routes.

Step 2 - Evacuate

Evacuation should be prompt and calm, with everyone making their way to the designated assembly point.

Any hazardous machinery or processes should be shut down in line with the fire evacuation procedure for the site.

Do not stop to collect any personal belongings, and never use lifts in the event of a fire - this is because the lift could stop working, trapping you inside, or the doors could open on the afflicted level and expose the occupants to flames, heat and toxic gases.

Head directly to the nearest emergency fire exit. Put your hand against any doors you go through to check that the fire is not on the other side, and the last person out should try to close doors behind them to prevent the fire spreading through the building's "fire compartments" and also to reduce the level of oxygen available in any room to feed the fire.

If the escape route is affected by smoke, drop down onto the ground and crawl, as the available air will be cleaner closer to the ground.
In Summary:

Be prompt and calm.

Turn off any hazardous machinery.

Do not stop to collect personal belongings.

Head to the nearest fire exit.

Step 3 - Get to the Assembly Point

One of the most important steps in any fire evacuation plan is choosing an assembly point.

The location of the assembly point must be easily accessed by all exiting persons and should have safe access for the emergency services.

Once you have exited the building, everyone should meet at the designated assembly point.

A headcount (or nominal roll call) should be performed, making sure that any visitors are accounted for.

You should not re-enter the building until told to do so by an attending Fire Officer.
In Summary:

Meet at assembly point.

Headcount.

Don't re-enter building.

If You Become Trapped Inside

Try and get to a room with a window.

If you're on the first floor, open a window and lower yourself to arm's length, then drop to the floor.

Never jump from a window and make sure to first throw down some soft materials onto the ground outside.

If you're too high up to attempt this, then use the window to call for help and also call 999.

Block the gaps under doors with materials such as clothing, bedding, towels etc. to prevent smoke from entering.

If your clothes ever catch fire, don't run around as this will fan the flames; instead, remember:

Stop immediately, drop to the ground and roll to smother the flames.
Fire Action is a BAFE-accredited company with a wealth of experience in the fire safety industry, and are passionate about providing the best possible fire safety equipment for their clients. In addition to provision and installation of products such as alarm systems and extinguishers, Fire Action also offers expert fire safety training to premises across the south east area who wish to arm their staff with the knowledge they need to deal with potential fire outbreaks. For further information, get in touch today and we'll be happy to help.

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What to do if there's a fire in your workplace? | News | Fire Action

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When a fire occurs in the workplace, it has the potential to disrupt your business and the people who rely on your goods and services. The higher the number of occupants, the greater the risk.

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EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

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We've broken some of the components into three distinct sections: considerations for emergencies that start or occur within the building, emergencies that occur outside of the building, and emergencies that come about from a health-related scare. Here are a few examples for each category for your reference:

Emergencies Within the Building: fire, active shooter, power outage, etc.

Emergencies Outside of the Building: tornado, lightning, extreme heat, etc.

Health-Related Emergencies: heart attacks, seizures, drownings, concussions, etc.

In the event of an emergency, people need to respond quickly; knowing where to go and how to get there is often an important part of a quick response. Depending on the type of emergency, people will either need to exit the building as quickly as possible or be prepared to navigate to a safer part of the building. It is important each person knows exactly where to go in the event of an emergency.

Current floor plans are an integral part of every written EAP. Regardless of the emergency, an EAP should contain an up-to-date floor plan for the entire property. The floor plan should include clearly marked evacuation routes and all emergency exits should be easily identifiable. Remember, this information isn't only posted for the good of employees; guests, including emergency personnel, will rely on this information to navigate the building safely.

Emergencies Outside of the Building - In most cases, when an emergency starts outside of the building, the safest thing to do is find a safe place within the building. Most often, emergencies outside of the building will be weather-related or natural disasters like a tornado, earthquake or lightning storm. These events provide different levels of warning before they strike, so it's important to be prepared to respond to the emergency quickly.

Emergencies Within the Building - For emergencies occurring inside of the facility (e.g., fires, power outages, etc.), the main goal is to get everyone out of harms way. To achieve this goal, staff should be aware of the fastest and safest way out of the building. It will also be necessary to ensure that evacuation procedures are easily accessible to customers or visitors inside of the building. Having a broad understanding of the layout of a building can help staff prepare for unanticipated detours along the most common emergency exits.

Health Emergencies - If someone inside of the building is injured or harmed in some way, an EAP should be initiated quickly. Staff should be prepared to respond to a wide range of plausible health scares such as a heart attack, seizure, possible drowning and more. Depending on the emergency, local emergency medical services may be contacted. Be sure that these authorities will have easy access to the injured person and they'll be able to exit the building quickly when it is time to do so.

Most emergencies will require the involvement of police, fire and rescue, and medical professionals. Contacting these authorities is usually as easy as dialing 9-1-1. With that said, it's important that someone in the organization be designated to make that call. There's nothing worse than a delayed response because everyone assumed someone else contacted authorities.

It's important to note that some emergencies will require specialized emergency responders. For instance, a chemical spill will need the services of specialized Hazardous Materials unit and downed power lines or utilities issues will require the work of the utility company. Make sure the Emergency Action Plan contains all the emergency numbers and contact information that may be needed.

In addition to alerting the proper authorities, it is equally important to communicate to all staff and guests that an emergency is occurring. The exact method of communication will vary based on the size and design of the facility and the type of emergency.

For example, in the event of a fire, the best way to alert everyone is to simply pull the fire alarm. For other emergencies an intercom system might be the most effective method. Some alert systems can be as simple as blowing a whistle (i.e., aquatic EAPs) or ringing a bell.

Health Emergencies - It is important to note, however, that certain emergencies do not require alerting everyone within a building. For instance, if an individual suffers a medical emergency like a stroke or heart attack, there is no need to make everyone in the entire facility aware. The EAP for these types of emergencies will be much simpler and involve immediately contacting medical help and identifying individuals within your organization trained in First Aid to help stabilize the victim.

After initiating and executing an EAP, the next step is to regroup. It will be important to identify if anyone was lost or injured during the process. For larger organizations, this is best accomplished by breaking up into manageable groups. In most cases these groups are based on departments or specific physical areas within the facility, but can be organized any way that makes sense for your organization.

Accounting for everyone after an emergency can be as easy as keeping a printed roster and asking people to check in when they're in a safe location. It is also recommended to have each group meet in a designated area to make it easier to check each person in.

Emergencies Outside of the Building - Hiding in a secured area is an appropriate response to emergencies that begin outside of the building like tornadoes or lightning storms. Violent emergencies like active shooter scenarios are also an appropriate time to hide. Note that these instances will make the task of locating everyone a challenge. Keeping detailed records can help alleviate some of the trouble, however.

After an EAP has been activated it may be necessary to notify parents, guardians or next of kin for the people involved. Depending on the situation, family members may need to be alerted immediately to provide information or come and pick their children up. A good EAP will detail who is responsible for alerting family members, what emergencies require alerting families, and what information should be relayed. It is also important to maintain up-to-date contact information for all members.

Depending on the type and severity of the emergency, there's a possibility that a member of the media will contact your organization seeking information. When dealing with the media it is important to have a single individual identified as the media contact person. Instruct all staff within your organization to direct any inquires from both the media and the public to them. This individual should be well trained on how to respond properly to sensitive questioning and should know what information is and is not acceptable to divulge.

Since emergencies can occur anytime without warning, it is essential to develop a policy to train all new staff on the various EAPs and their role within the EAP. As part of new employee training/orientation, give all new staff a copy of the EAPs and provide them a layout of the facility along with where all the emergency exits and escape routes are.

New staff should be provided with important locations in the event of specific emergencies, such as where to take shelter in the event of a tornado. Identify multiple emergency exits since certain emergencies may make the closest exit inaccessible. If there is a chemical spill, for instance, staff should be trained to avoid exits near the area and find another way to evacuate the building.

Change is constant. Keeping all EAPs current is a major undertaking, but is the only way to assure an efficient emergency response. EAPs should be reviewed and revised annually or more frequently as needed. Changes should be listed on the document. New hires, building redesigns, new programs, office changes, remodeling, and much more can all impact the effectiveness of an EAP.

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Developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) | Culture of Safety

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We've broken some of the components into three distinct sections: considerations for emergencies that start or occur within the building, emergencies that occur outside of the building, and emergencies that come about from a health-related scare. Here are a few examples for each category for your reference: Emergencies Within the Building: fire, active shooter, power outage, etc.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD PUT ON A FIRST AID INCIDENT FORM

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WHAT YOU SHOULD PUT ON A FIRST AID INCIDENT FORM

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Useful information to record includes:

the date, time and place of incident;

name and job of the injured or ill person;

details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given;

what happened to the person immediately afterwards (for example, did they go home, go back to work or go to hospital); and

the name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident.

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What information should be recorded in the first aid book?

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Useful information to record includes: the date, time and place of incident; name and job of the injured or ill person; details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given; what happened to the person immediately afterwards (for example, did they go home, go back to work or go to hospital); and the name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE