Health and safety training for workplace safety

Many people do not associate health and safety risks with the casual workplace, especially if that space is relatively low-risk. Neglecting to include your employees in health and safety training can only be to the detriment of your company in the case of an emergency. Emcare offers a range of health and safety training courses, many of which can be applied to keeping the workplace safe and minimising the risk of emergencies. In just a few minutes of reading, learn about the basics of workplace safety as well as how health and safety training can assist in keeping the space as safe as can be.

Why is health and safety training for the workplace necessary?

Many of those involved in what are considered to be low-risk occupations, usually anything that involves work in an office, are surprised when the importance of health and safety training for the workplace is raised. It is hard to recognise the potential for emergency or injury with an untrained eye, and most of us would not see a workplace threat even if it was staring us directly in the eye. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to involve as many employees as possible in some form of health and safety training, such as the numerous options offered at Emcare (which are addressed at the end of this article).

What are the most important health and safety training tips and precautions for the workplace?

Each and every business, no matter their nature, must be appropriately prepared for emergencies that can happen when we least expect them. This preparation involves readiness in the following:

1. Workplace safety
2. Safety supplies

Workplace safety, as previously discussed, all boils down to the level of health and safety training that an employee has been exposed to. While it may seem like a schlep to gather your employees and request them to participate in health and safety training courses, it could make all the difference in an emergency situation (or avoiding that situation at all in the first place). Ensuring the safety of the workplace is, believe it or not, the responsibility of all employees in the company – be it the administrative team, the managerial members all the way up to the CEO. Any good basis for a successful and safe working environment is an attitude of leadership that encourages employees to firstly take note of and identify risky behaviours as well as opportunities to better the environment.

Workplace safety also has a lot to do with the carrying out of risk assessments in the workspace, which must be conducted by individuals properly trained to do so. Regularly conducting risk assessments can help to prevent unnecessary emergencies and consequently prevent injuries, or worse. To help you understand more about what a risk assessment entails, check out the following steps that make the basis of any risk assessment:

Step 1: hazards are identified

Step 2: the potential victims of hazards must be established

Step 3: the risks of the above are evaluated

Step 4: findings are recorded

Step 5: findings are reviewed.

The next most important aspect included in health and safety training for the workplace is that of safety supplies.

10 Safety supplies needed in every workplace

No matter the nature of your business, the following 10 safety supplies are essential to have around in accessible areas:

1. First Aid Boxes

   Perhaps the most obvious of safety supplies, an adequately-stocked first aid box is required, by law, at every workplace. When it comes to first aid boxes, the more really is the merrier – and boxes should be stored in easy-to-access areas throughout the workplace. Naturally, the more employees you have in the vicinity, the more first aid boxes are needed. It also goes without saying that the kits must be clearly marked, and items used are to be replaced as soon as possible after an incident.

   

   What do you need in your office first aid kit?

   The following should be included in a basic first aid kit for a low-risk workplace:

   • A how-to guide or instructional first aid manual
   • A list of contents included in the kit
   • Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressing that are all individually wrapped
   • Sterile and individually wrapped triangular bandages
   • Sterile eye pads
   • Safety pins
   • Eye wash and bath
   • Plasters
   • Adhesive tape
   • Wipes
   • Scissors
   • Distilled water for wound-care
   • Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
   • Tweezers
   • Burn dressings
   • Disposable gloves
2. Fire extinguishers

   It is unlikely that your workplace would pass any safety screening without having at least one fire extinguisher. Extinguishers come in various sizes and types to be used for the appropriate fire. However, when it comes to low-risk workplaces, there is a standard extinguisher that should be suitable. The fire extinguisher must be mounted in a visible and accessible area and needs to be serviced and maintained annually.

3. Fire blankets

   These can come in handy when stored in small kitchenettes where staff members prepare food and fires may begin. Like first aid kits and extinguishers, they must be stored in a clear and unobstructed space – and all should be aware as to how to use them. They must also be regularly maintained for best results.

4. Fire detection devices

   Having an effective fire detection device can literally mean the difference between life and death for employees in a workplace. In most countries, you will not be safety compliant if you do not have an active fire detection device which is linked to a fire alarm. Fire detection devices include:

   • Smoke detectors
   • Emergency break glass devices
   • LED flashers
   • Water sprinklers
   • Fire control panels

   All of the above detection systems must be serviced and tested regularly to ensure efficacy.

   

5. General alarm

   Often referred to as a “loud and clear device,” it is necessary that every workplace have some sort of noise-making device to alert employees when something is wrong. The device’s noise must be distinguishable from that of the fire alarm, and it must be accessible to everyone and easily activatable by the push of a button.

6. Safety signage

   Even though each employee, upon first starting at the workplace, must be given a tour and shown all safety supplies and their locations, it is unlikely that they will remember all the information given to them on their highly stressful first day. This is where safety signage comes into play. Essential safety supplies such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits as well as alarms must be clearly marked so that they can be easily found if need be. Appropriate safety signage should glow in the dark in the event of a power outage.

7. Emergency evacuation floor plans

   Having a clearly marked and well-distributed emergency evacuation floor plan is of the utmost importance in maintaining workplace safety. There should be enough floor plans available for all staff members to be able to familiarise themselves with well in advance to any emergency evacuations. These plans prevent mass confusion and tragedies, in the worst cases. These floor plans should not only indicate exit plans but also the locations of emergency supplies in the building as well.

8. Evacuation chairs

   Having an evacuation chair next to stairwells can only be a benefit to your workplace. Evacuation chairs come in handy when an individual is unable to descend a staircase on their own, whether that be due to disability, injury or anxiety. The chair allows others to help the individual concerned reach safety as quickly as possible.

9. Personal protective equipment

   Although personal protective equipment is not always necessary when it comes to low-risk jobs, workplaces that are higher risk, such as construction companies, must always have the following personal protective equipment available:

   • Hard hats
   • Eye protection
   • Ear protection
   • Dust masks
   • Safety footwear
   • Reflective vests
   • Full-body harnesses
   • Gloves

Which health and safety training courses does Emcare offer?

Now that the importance and relevance of health and safety training for your employees in the workplace has been established, we will lay out a brief break-down of some of the relevant health and safety training courses we currently have on offer:

• Health and Safety Induction Course (OHS1 / OHS2)

  This beginner’s course is designed for companies who are keen to brief all employees on some of the most basic aspects of health and safety within the workplace. In creating awareness, the risk of injuries out of ignorance is decreased. Depending on the size of the group, the duration of the course can last between 4 to 8 hours. Participants will be issues with a certificate that is valid for 2 years after completion.

• General Health and Safety Course (OHS7)

  This course prepares employees with principles, systems and strategies to cope with situations within the workplace. The course takes between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the size of the group, and certification is valid for 2 years after completion.

• Health and Safety Representative Course (OHS3)

  Incorporating practical, reflexive and theoretical learning, this health and safety course ensures that participants become familiar with the legal acts and legislations involving health and safety in the workplace. The duration of this course is 1 day.

• Health and Safety Supervisors Course (OHS4)

  This course helps to equip employees in managerial positions with holistic knowledge of safety and health as well as skills to ensure the health and safety of the teams under their supervision. This course encompasses the learning of relevant pieces of legislation and acts that pertain to workplace safety as well as measures to take to identify and mitigate risks. The course takes 2 days.

• The Accident Incident Investigation Course (OHS5)

  This health and safety course serves to equip participants with incident and accident investigation tools and methods, so that when an emergency response is necessary, they can act accordingly. This course involves case studies and discussions and takes 1 day to complete.

• Risk Assessment Course (OHS6)

  This course’s focal point rests on equipping participants with the needed confidence, tools, knowledge and skills to conduct a thorough risk assessment in the workplace. This course lasts 1 day in duration.

• Safe Stacking and Storing Course (SSS)

  This course is relevant to employees of various workplaces whose duties include stacking and storing of any kind (such as shipping, receiving, warehouse work, forklift operators). Participants will learn a series of rules, systems and recommendations that will equip them to conduct their work duties with safety at the forefront. The course takes 1 day for completion.

  

• Emergency Evacuation Training Course

  Completing this course is a boon for any employee as well as your company as a whole. This course equips the participant with the skills needed to effectively manage an evacuation of staff from a building should an emergency situation arise. This comprehensive course offering also includes drawn-out plans of your very own premises in order to streamline the process and train the employee accordingly. The course requires 1 day for completion and certification is valid for 1 year.