Worker beware! Workplace fatalities on the rise.
Date: Thu 7th Jul 2011
After a record low in the number of people killed at work, provisional figures from the Health and Safety Executive reveal that worker fatalities increased last year, from 147 in 2009/10 to 171 in 2010/11. This worrying increase is most apparent in the agricultural and construction industries in which almost half the deaths occurred.
Although the trend over the past few years indicates worker fatalities are generally decreasing, these provisional figures show that organizations should not become complacent.
Time to kit yourself out! A new British Standard is changing First Aid Kits
Date: Thu 7th Jul 2011
Why?
A new standard has recently come into force for workplace first aid kits replacing guidelines established in 1997, due to changing training protocols, concerns with infection control and new technology.
When?
This standard which came into effect on 30 June 2011 replaces the BHTA-HSE 10, 20 and 50 kits that are currently used in the UK. However you have until 31 December to comply.
So what are the new contents?
Gloves: There will be more gloves made of Nitrile, following NHS and St John’s guidelines.
Plasters: Increased quantities will reflect consumer demand.
Wipes: Increased quantities of wipes that must meet CE marking rules.
Triangular Bandages: Reduced quantities reflect the change in first aid training protocol.
Finger Dressings: A smaller finger dressing with an easy fix adhesive tab is added specifically for injuries that are too large for plasters.
Burns gel: Modern burns gel dressing with a conforming bandage is added to reflect the universal risk from even minor burns.
Adhesive tape: This is added in addition to safety pins to provide choice if there is concern over possible injury from safety pins.
Shears: These are now added for clothing removal from wound sites.
Foil Emergency Blanket: This offers warmth to those suffering from the serious complications stemming from shock
Mouth to Mouth resuscitation device: The introduction of this device, incorporating a one way valve, protects the first aider from cross contamination.
Eye Wash: This is incorporated into the travel kit as appropriate facilities may not be available to the travelling worker.
First Aid Guidance Leaflet: Conforming to current HSE guidance.
Oh what a beautiful morning! But don't have a heart attack!
Date: Thu 26th May 2011
A heart attack in the morning causes more damage than at any other time of the day. Borja Ibanez and colleagues at the Carlos III University of Madrid collected details from 811 people who suffered a heart attack between 2003 and 2008. The team recorded when symptoms started and blood levels of two protein markers for heart damage. These proteins are enzymes that normally remain in heart cells, but are released when cells die. Rising enzyme levels in the blood mean a large amount of tissue has died.
Heart damage was significantly greater following morning attacks (Heart, DOI: 0.1136/hrt.2010.212621). “There’s a peak between 6am and noon,” says Ibanez. “People who had heart attacks during this period had 20 per cent more tissue death compared with those who had attacks at any other time.”
Ibanez believes that protective proteins called ‘salvage kinases’ may be responsible. Heart cells in rodents and pigs release varying amounts throughout the day with less produced in the morning. “Proteins that protect human heart cells from damage could provide new therapies,” he says.
Source: New Scientist...7th May 2011...Pg 21.. viewed May 10th 2011.
Ouch website - bigger and shinier than ever after revamp!
Date: Fri 20th May 2011
It may look similar but our NEW website is now jam packed with updated course information, quizzes and new pics. We also have a 2011 course date schedule for our Wimborne training room so give us a call if you wish to book onto Ouch open courses or if you require in-house training.
Loosen up man!
Date: Fri 20th May 2011
Is sitting at a desk all day becoming a right pain in the neck? Well the Health and Safety Laboratory are attempting to soothe your aches and pains with a series of simple exercises that will help get your blood pumping, perk you up and generally put a spark back into your jaded soul (well almost).
Look it’s easy – you don’t even need even need to stand up!
Eyes:
Focus on an object about 3 metres away for 15 seconds (whilst ignoring anyone who may think you’ve really lost it this time)
Neck:
Sit or stand up straight, glide head back as far as you can and now glide head forward. Repeat 3 times (imagining you are a chicken).
Shoulders:
Sit or stand, bring shoulders up towards ears. Hold for 3 seconds then relax and lower shoulders. Repeat 3 times (whilst looking very indecisive).
Upper back:
Cross arms and raise hands to rest on the front of the shoulders, using the arms push shoulders back, keeping elbows down. Hold for 15 seconds (and make like a corpse).
Forearms and wrists:
Sit or stand. Extend one arm in front, elbow straight and hand flexed. Stretch forearm muscles by placing the palm of the other hand across the front of the first hand and push towards the body. Hold for 5 seconds.
Hands:
Gently interlock your fingers. Press palms away from your body, gently stretching the forearm muscles, fingers and the muscles between your shoulder blades. Hold for 5 seconds.
Feeling better now?
Stressed? MOI?!!!!!
Date: Fri 20th May 2011
According to Swedish research, even mild stress can lead to long-term health problems and days off work. This research, involving 17,000 working adults, has great relevance to the increasing pressure of modern working life with its tendency towards isolation, a lack of support and heavy workloads; not helped by the many technological tentacles creeping into the home, making it impossible for employees to switch off and relax. See our CIEH Stress Awareness Courses for a solution to this growing and potentially debilitating problem.
Teach for Ouch
Date: Fri 20th May 2011
If you know about health and safety, but still have a touch of charisma and a dynamic teaching, style you could be a perfect trainer for Ouch. Contact us on 01202 880999 if you are up for joining the team......
CIEH courses get a makeover
Date: Tue 29th Jan 2008
Both the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Health and Safety in the Workplace and the Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene have had a makeover including a new name in response to the new UK standards in health and safety.
The CIEH Foundation Certificate in Health and Safety in the Workplace is being replaced by the Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace. This qualification has been completely revised with new and updated content including major new sections addressing transport and vehicles in the workplace, noise and vibration and working at heights.
The CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene is being replaced by the CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering. This qualification has been completely revised with more emphasis on monitoring controls, corrective actions and methods of reporting within food safety management systems. The syllabus has also been updated to reflect the latest changes to legislation and now includes the problems that arise from allergen contamination. There is less about the science of bacteriology and more about its control. The subject of pest control is also scaled down, due to the increased use of commercial pest control contractors.
Both new qualifications, as with all CIEH qualifications, can be customised to meet both business and individual needs in order to make the learning experience more relevant.
These new qualifications will run in conjunction with the old CIEH courses until their withdrawal.
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