Everything you need to know about EMCARE's supervisor health and safety course

An outstanding management programme, our supervisor health and safety course is designed to assist health and safety coordinators, supervisors or managers to become equipped with an inclusive, holistic knowledge of health and safety theory and practice. Participants will learn the needed skills to effectively and efficiently manage their respective teams and systems. This course seamlessly combines the OHS Act courses, risk assessment courses as well as the health and safety representative courses in one, making it a thorough learning experience that leaves the participant feeling confident and ready to address any health and safety matters with a structured and informed approach. In just a few minutes of reading, find out all you need to know about our supervisor health and safety course.

How does employer responsibility tie in with our supervisor health and safety course?

If you are an employer looking to send an employee to participate in our supervisor health and safety course, you are taking the correct steps to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In doing so, you are investing in the input of methodical and tested safety practices and knowledge in your workplace - which can only be beneficial. The course takes place over 2 full days, and after completion, participants receive certification that is valid for 2 years.

What does our supervisor health and safety course comprise of?

As previously mentioned, this course boasts a variety of topics and theories that are covered during the duration of the training. From introduction to general health and safety all the way to risk analysis and ranking, participants will be exposed to a wide variety of materials and new knowledge. We have a compiled a list and summary of several aspects that will be covered within the supervisor health and safety course:

1. The Occupational Health and Safety Act
   
   There is a large emphasis placed on the study and understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This is because this act is of the utmost importance to the workplace, since it safeguards the welfare of those in employment or those visiting the workplace. This legislation was formed in order to protect both the employers and their employees. While the sections of the Act are not overly complicated, it is thorough and remembering even the most essential rules and regulations can be difficult for an employer with many company operations occupying their mind.
   
   This is where the health and safety supervisor comes in. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that the supervisor is properly trained and equipped. From then on, it is largely up to the well-trained supervisor to make sure that the workplace is adhering to the correct workplace practices set in place by the Act. The essential need for the supervisor to know regulations like the back of their hand is why we place such emphasis on studying and understanding the Act during our supervisor health and safety course.
   
   The Department of Labour takes the welfare of employees very seriously, which is why the appropriate safety measures and regulations must be enforced in the workplace - especially those with higher risk profiles, such as construction companies and manufacturers where machinery is involved.
   

2. Incident and accident investigations
   
   Participants are taught how to conduct incident and accident investigations, which involve an analysis being undertaken to avoid future accidents or incidents by uncovering the root cause. Supervisors need to be able to produce information that directly leads to corrective actions in order to reduce the number of incidents that occur in the work space. It is crucial that each and every incident or accident be investigated, no matter the seriousness of injury or how much property may be damaged. Even “near miss” situations are to be taken seriously, since such a scenario is indicative of an accident quite literally waiting to happen.
   
   Investigating what some may consider “unimportant” incidents is key in discovering new ways to improve a workplace's safety program. Having a well-trained supervisor who is capable of performing thorough incident and accident investigations not only reduces the possibility of fraudulent claims, but also gives an employer more control and direction when it comes to enforcing safety changes or updates. It also helps employees to feel safer and confident as they go about their work day.
   
   
3. Recognising high risk conditions and identifying hazards
   
   Participants of our supervisor health and safety course will learn how to recognise high risk conditions in the workplace as well as identify hazards. In relation to occupational safety, the word “risk” is defined as “the likelihood of a person becoming harmed or suffering negative health effects if exposed to a hazard.” Risk is often categorised by levels - determined by the potential adverse health effect or harm that a certain hazard may cause, as well as the number of people exposed and how often they are exposed.
   
   As an example, imagine that there is an exposure to airborne asbestos fibres in the workplace. This would be classified as high risk, since even one exposure has the potential to result in fatal lung disease. On the other hand, picture a prolonged exposure to a display screen in the workplace. Obviously, although there are long-term risks involved, they would be considered much lower than the former example. Participants will learn how to classify these risks when observing the workplace or performing risk assessments.
   
   As a response to high risk conditions and hazards, control measures must be taken. These measures have to do with actions that can be performed to reduce the potential of exposure to the hazard in question - or remove the hazard altogether. An example of a simple control measure would be placing a sign that tells employees to don ear protection before operating a specific piece of machinery that is loud enough to cause significant hearing damage. When control measures are learned and discussed, a hierarchy of control measures is often used to aid understanding, the details of which are as follows:
   
   
   1. Elimination of the hazard
      
      Sitting at the top of the pyramid of control measures is elimination. Although it is the preferred control measure when a hazard is identified, it is rarely achievable in the everyday work setting. One could not simply remove, and operate without, a machine that can be dangerous if not used correctly if it is necessary for the type of work being done, for example. However, in some cases, elimination can be the answer. One such example would be the removal of lead from petrol products sold in Ireland, so as to protect petrol attendants from being exposed to the risk of chronic lead poisoning.
      

   2. Substituting the hazard with a lesser risk
      
      Although substituting a hazard may not necessarily get rid of all associated risks with a certain activity or process - and in some cases may introduce new hazards - it is possible that the overall health effects or harm may be lessened. One example would be the replacement of the chemical benzene with toluene (a safer chemical) in certain lab research. While the two chemicals share similar solvent-properties, toluene is not classified as a carcinogen like benzene and is therefore less toxic. However, it can still cause serious neurological harm.
      
      
   3. Isolating the hazard
      
      Achieved through restricting access to the hazard in question, this control measure focuses on removing hazards from a frequently-used location to somewhere more isolated. Referring back to the “loud machine” example, this hazard could be moved to an enclosed space that can only be accessed by specific employees who are equipped with the correct protection. In isolating the hazard, fewer people are exposed to it.
      
      
   4. Making use of engineering controls
      
      This measure involves the redesigning of a process to create a barrier between an employee and a hazard. This can be done through the use of proximity guarding, machinery guarding or extraction systems. Operators can also be moved to a remote location where they can still control the hazardous equipment - but at a safer distance.
      

   5. Using administrative controls
      
      Perhaps the most commonly applied control measure - despite its relatively low position on the hierarchy - have to do with the adoption of standard operation procedures in the workplace, such as providing adequate training or upgrading safe work practices. This measure is popular since it is practical and achievable. An example would be giving employees who work near a potential hazard information and careful instruction that will encourage them to behave in a way that will reduce the likelihood of incidents and accidents.
      
      
   6. Using PPE
      
      Sitting at the bottom of the pyramid, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is often seen as the last line of defence when it comes to reducing exposure to a hazard. PPE includes glasses, safety footwear, dust masks and gloves - to name some examples. In most cases, personal protective equipment is used as a measure in conjunction with one or more other measures in order to increase effectiveness. However, there are many faults to be found in this measure, such as inadequately fitting gear, lack of enforcement in busy work places as well as lack of funds to provide top-quality gear. There is the possibility that wearing PPE leads to a false sense of security in many cases.
      

4. Recognising unsafe acts
   
   Qualified health and safety supervisors will have learned to recognise unsafe acts and conditions in the workplace. Studies have attributed 20% of all workplace injuries to be the result of unsafe working conditions, which relate to mechanical or physical defects in machinery as well as lacklustre safety standards. Unsafe acts and conditions are usually the first aspect tackled when supervisors first enter a workplace and begin assessing. Some examples of unsafe conditions are:
   
   
   • Defective conditions: hand tools, substances and equipment being broken or sub-par.
   • Poor layout: bad work flow, congestion or overcrowding in the workplace.
   • Sub-par housekeeping: lack of appropriate disposal and organisation as well as signs and exit-plans.
   • Inadequate ventilation or illumination: workers cannot breathe or see properly.
   • Loud noise: where instructions cannot be heard properly.
     
     
5. Health and safety committee meetings
   
   Supervisor health and safety course participants will learn the ins and outs of health and safety committee meetings, as well as the importance of conducting them frequently. In these meetings, safety plans and concerns are addressed, and through diplomacy and discussion, the overall safety of the workplace can be increased for the benefit of all who share the space.

EMCARE's supervisor health and safety course

Now that you know a bit more about our supervisor health and safety course, you have a better idea of what your employees can expect when enrolling in the course. With years of experience and only the best instructors, EMCARE provides top-notch and thorough training that can make a real difference in promoting safety in your workplace.