This article will discuss some examples of fall protection. It will help to aid your understanding of the methods of fall protection that employers may select to control working at height hazards.

What is Work at Height?

Work at height refers to work in any location where, if there were no precautions in place, a person, object, or material could fall a distance that is likely to cause personal injury. For example, working in areas where someone can fall off an edge, through an opening, or through a fragile surface (e.g. a skylight or fragile roof sheeting); unsafe or inappropriate use of ladders and stepladders; or working on a scaffolding platform or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP).

Examples of work at height include: 

• Roofing work, including inspections of roofs. 
• Working on top of, or near to, roof lights or fragile roofing.
• Gutter and window cleaning.
• Shelf stacking and unloading vehicles.
• Machine and plant maintenance.
• Putting up displays.

Working at height hazards and the level of risk they pose vary from business to business and the activities that are carried out there, but all work at height can pose a risk of falling if not adequately controlled. It’s therefore crucial for the work to be planned and carried out safely. 

Why is Working at Height Safety Important?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual statistics state that, in 2022/23, there were 60,645 non-fatal injuries reported by employers under RIDDOR, and falls from a height accounted for 8% of these. Additionally, falls from height accounted for 40 deaths and the highest proportion of fatalities caused by accidents. As these statistics demonstrate, work at height that is not adequately controlled can have serious consequences. 

It’s important to note that, under the Work at Height (WAH) Regulations 2005, the first duty of every employer is to ensure that, where possible, work at height is avoided. Where staff must work at height, it’s essential that it has been properly planned and organised from the beginning, is properly supervised at all times, and carried out so that it is safe, so far as is reasonably practicable. In addition, every person involved in all these stages must be trained and competent in how to carry out their tasks safely.

If work at height cannot be avoided, the risk assessment will need to identify what fall protection is necessary to control the working at height hazards.

Risk Assessment

Where staff must work at height, it’s essential that a risk assessment is carried out prior to the work commencing. Risk assessments must be carried out by a competent person, who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to be able to safely assess the risks involved with working at height activities. They will need to consider and decide on control measures to eliminate or reduce these risks to as low as is reasonably practicable.

The WAH Regulations set out an order of effective controls for managing the risks associated with working at height. The order of controls starts with the controls that should be considered first at the top. You can read more about the hierarchy of control for work at height here: Working at Height Regulations – Hierarchy of Control Measures. 

Working at height fall protection is one effective way of controlling work at height risks, and the type selected must correspond with the hierarchy of control. 

Certain ones cannot be chosen first unless others are not reasonably practicable or they do not sufficiently reduce the risk, in which case a combination of controls may be used. For example, working at height harnesses cannot be chosen before considering safe working platforms, but they may be used in combination with them if residual risk is identified after the safe working platforms are considered.

Examples of Fall Protection Equipment

The examples of fall protection throughout this section are discussed in the order outlined by the hierarchy of control measures. Avoidance of working at height is explained first as this must be considered before fall protection equipment. 

1. Avoiding Work at Height

As previously mentioned, under the WAH Regulations, employers must always avoid the need for working at height where it’s reasonably practicable to do so. To comply with this, employers must properly plan all work activities before work begins and always consider how work at height could be avoided. 

For example, replacing ladders or low level access platforms with extension poles for window cleaning. Avoiding working at height could also be planned into the workplace, e.g. installing a light fitting that is designed to be lowered when changing the bulb, rather than having to work at height to change it.  

2. Preventing Falls

Where work at height cannot be avoided, the second step is to use an existing safe place that prevents people from falling, such as a flat roof with permanent guardrails. Where this isn’t reasonably practicable, employers must choose the most suitable work equipment to prevent falls, or if that is not reasonably practicable, to mitigate the consequences of a fall from height or the fall of materials or objects.

The individual who is responsible for selecting fall protection equipment will consider a variety of factors to ensure suitable equipment is selected. This includes, but is not limited to, considering the work environment, any space constraints, adequate clearance for the equipment, and how many people are working at height that need protection. 

Examples of types of fall protection equipment that may be used to prevent falls are listed below. 

Properly constructed working platforms

Properly constructed working platforms fitted with guardrails and toe boards are the most effective working at height equipment for preventing people or objects from falling from height. 

Examples of working platforms include scaffolding and mobile towers, and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).

Safe working platforms are an example of collective fall protective equipment. They should be considered if avoiding the work at height or using an existing safe place is not reasonably practicable. Where possible, safe working platforms should be used for work at height in preference to other methods of fall protection.

Note that, where preventing falls using collective equipment is not doable, fall restraint PPE should be considered to prevent a fall. For example, using short lanyards when working on a flat roof with no permanent guardrails to stop employees reaching areas with a fall risk. We’ll discuss PPE usage later. 

Mobile towers

Mobile towers (originally called tower scaffolds) provide a safe alternative to full scaffolding for many routine maintenance or repair activities. They should always be considered before ladders. 

All mobile towers must be assembled by formally trained and competent personnel. The manufacturer’s instructions must always be followed during erecting, dismantling, and inspecting them. Furthermore, employers must ensure that workers can get safely to and from the work platform, and that all platforms have the required edge protection. 

Low level mobile tower platforms

For low level work at height, there is a wide variety of low level mobile tower platforms available. There are also low level platforms, commonly called podium steps or platforms, that can be used. Both have a working platform and handrails, and provide safe access up to a platform height of about 1.5 – 2 metres. They should always be considered before ladders.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)

The two common types of MEWPs are:

• Telescopic booms (often called ‘cherry pickers’). These can provide access to difficult or restricted areas. 
• Scissor lifts. These have a large platform and so can take greater loads than telescopic booms, and are useful for safely installing electrical and mechanical equipment.

Before using MEWPs, employers must ensure that all work involving the MEWP is properly planned, that the MEWP will never be overloaded, and that anyone using a MEWP is competent to do so.

3. Reducing the Consequences of a Fall

If falls cannot be eliminated or prevented and there is no safe place, then the use of work equipment that provides collective protection to minimise the distances or consequences of a fall are the next level of the hierarchy of control. This should only be considered when it is not reasonably practicable to avoid or prevent falls from height. 

Examples of collective protection work equipment are:

• Safety nets. In select circumstances, high fall-risk activities may be mitigated by using safety nets. Safety nets may be appropriate in situations where work is carried out on or near fragile roofing. If used, there must be adequate clearance under the nets to prevent injury. 
• Soft landing systems, including airbags. Airbags might be appropriate in situations where falls might occur from a lower height, such as when loading and unloading vehicle trailers. They should be located as close as possible to the working area to ensure they catch anyone who might fall. Airbags decrease in effectiveness as the fall distance increases, so should only be used for small fall distances.

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Once all the other steps of the hierarchy have been considered, fall arrest PPE can then be considered. Fall arrest PPE is used to stop a fall that is about to happen or is happening, either by stopping the fall entirely or stopping the fall before contact with a surface. 

There are two types of fall arrest equipment: 

• Fall restraint harnesses. This prevents a fall that could otherwise happen without it. For example, it may be used when working on a MEWP to prevent the person from being thrown out of it if the MEWP strikes an obstruction. The lanyard attached to the wearer’s safety harness must be short (less than 1 metre).
• Fall arrest harnesses. The main difference between a fall restraint and an arrest system is that the restraint system prevents the fall before it happens, whereas the arrest system stops the fall while it’s happening before contact with a surface. To be effective, they must have secure attachment points and clearance from the ground so the shock absorbing lanyard can deploy.

Fall arrest equipment should only be used when it’s not reasonably practicable to implement any of the hierarchy’s higher levels, or if the higher levels do not sufficiently control the risk. 

Furthermore, they require the wearer to receive thorough training in their use and depend on constant on-site supervision. In many cases, they are used in combination with higher levels of control where residual risk is present. A good collection of controls will ensure that the risks posed by working at height hazards are kept to an absolute minimum. 

It is an employer’s duty to assess the specific working at height activities and conditions, and select appropriate fall protection equipment for them where necessary. This may be a combination of many to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. Anyone who works at height also has legal duties in relation to fall protection equipment — to follow the instructions and training they receive, use the working at height equipment correctly and safely, and report any defects in the work equipment. All of this will help to ensure that working at height risks are minimised and everyone can stay safe at work. 

Further Resources: 

• Working at Height Training
• How to Develop a Rescue Plan for Working at Height
• Working at Height Rules and Regulations
• Safely Securing Ladders: Guidance & Procedure
• What is a Method Statement & How Do I Fill it in?
• Ten Common Construction Site Hazards

The post Using Fall Protection to Control Working at Height Hazards appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we’ll examine in detail the different types of security guard, their typical responsibilities and the many advantages that come with this career path. We’ll also outline the requirements, qualifications and desirable skills needed to become a security guard.

What Does a Security Guard Do?

A security guard is someone employed to protect a building, workplace or person against intruders or damages. As such, there is a lot more to the role than simply sitting at a desk and checking people in and out of a building.

In fact, there are many different types of security guards. The most common include:

• Residential Guards – Hired by either an individual, a group or a community, these guards work to protect houses. Duties can include patrolling the area or communal areas for suspicious activity. Residential guards are typically the first point of response if there is an issue. If the area is a gated community, residential guards may be positioned at the gate and larger residential areas may employ more than one guard at a time.
• Business Guards – These guards protect a business, whether that is in the form of a bar or a corporate office. This can include vetting the people who enter the building, and dealing with the security and safety of the workers within the business.
• Personal Guards – Also referred to as a bodyguard, these highly specialised guards work for an individual – usually a celebrity or someone in the public eye – who they personally protect. This can involve accompanying the individual to events, or simply being close while they run errands. 
• Patrol Guards – These guards spend their shift moving throughout a specific area – ranging from a single street to a large perimeter. 
• Stationary Guards – Unlike patrol guards, stationary guards are given a specific post and stay there for the duration of their shift. 
• Government Security Guards – These guards are similar to business guards, except that they are employed to specifically guard government buildings. As their job involves tight security, these positions are usually well-vetted. 
• Proprietary Guards – These are guards who are hired as independent workers rather than through a security company. They are, therefore, included on a business’ payroll and can have a number of differing responsibilities.
• Event Security Guard – Large events that have a lot of people in attendance need an equal amount of security in place, and this usually comes in the form of security guards. These guards help with crowd control, vetting people and ensuring no restricted areas are breached.

All of the types of security guards we have listed above may be armed – where they carry a weapon – or unarmed, where they carry items such as pepper spray or batons, depending on the nature of the position and what is appropriate. Security guards can also be uniformed or wear plain clothes, depending on the situation. At a wedding, for example, a uniformed guard may appear out of place even though there is a need for security and so plain clothes may be preferable.

Security Guard Duty and Responsibilities

As we’ve discovered, there are many different types of security guards. With each of these roles, the responsibilities will differ depending on the specific setting. However, there are common duties that all security guards will need to perform, such as:

• Conducting security checks on people that are entering or exiting a building. This may involve using equipment such as scanners as well as visual checks.
• Keeping a record of visitors. This may include their time of arrival and departure along with personal information.
• Securing premises and personnel.
• Monitoring security equipment or surveillance cameras (CCTV).
• Responding to incidents or alarms.
• Patrolling the premises for suspicious activity.
• Performing regular or scheduled checks of a specific area for any breaches of security.
• Assisting maintenance staff and keeping on top of operational equipment. 
• Liaising with law enforcement if an issue has arisen or a crime has been committed.

Advantages of Pursuing a Career as a Security Guard

If you’re passionate about protecting others, enjoy keeping active and are looking for a job that provides security along with flexibility, becoming a security guard may be the career path for you.

It’s also not surprising that with the large number of responsibilities that come with being a security guard, there are also many benefits, too. We’re going to look at some of these in more detail below.

Protecting Others is Rewarding

There are few other jobs that involve the level of safeguarding that being a security guard does. Whether this is as a personal guard to an individual, working for a business or guarding property, there’s a great satisfaction to be had in knowing that you’ve played a vital role in keeping your clients (or their possessions) safe.

Flexible Working Hours

With the vast number of options for the type of security guard you could be, there is also a choice in what type of hours you want to work. For example, a business guard may be required to work weekdays from 9-5, or throughout the night. It can also provide a great opportunity for part-time work, if you are studying or simply want a second income.

Increase Useful Skills

As a security guard, you need to be able to thrive under pressure and have excellent observational skills. You also need to have great communication skills and be able to deal with different types of people and circumstances.

Even if you don’t think of these as strong attributes before you start the role, they will develop as you grow and gain more experience. Skills such as these, and many others, will be useful to you in the future and transferable in other aspects of life.

Employability

As there is a constant need for security services across the country, being a security guard is a stable and secure career choice. Businesses and events will always need to employ security, for example. 

There is also a vast opportunity for career advancement in security services. Many of the skills needed to be a security guard are transferable to other roles, and with experience, you could look at taking a position as a police officer, correctional officer or cyber security specialist.

Requirements to Become a Security Guard

Another benefit to becoming a security guard is that it can be an entry-level position, with the opportunity for career advancement. That being said, there are still certain requirements to become a security guard, for example:

• You must be aged 18 or over.
• You must be able to pass identity and criminal record checks.

Qualifications

Typically, you don’t need to have any degrees or diplomas in order to become a security guard. Many receive on-the-job training, and so prior experience or higher education isn’t a requirement to become a security guard, although a good standard of general education is preferred.

That being said, you will need to gain your Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, which is compulsory for security guards and must be obtained before you start work. We’ll look into the requirements for gaining your SIA licence further down the article.

Desired Skills

While there are formal requirements to become a security guard, such as gaining an SIA licence, there are also desirable qualities and skills that employers and managers will look out for. 

For example:

• Knowledge of public safety and security. 
• Patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure and in stressful situations.
• The ability to communicate effectively.
• Being able to work well with others as well as autonomously. 
• Having high levels of concentration, and being able to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Customer service skills, and being able to challenge people politely but firmly.

Looking to learn more?

At High Speed Training, we offer Resilience Training that equips you with the skills and knowledge needed for achieving your goals, which you may find beneficial.

It would also be a benefit to have prior experience in a similar position – for example, someone who has worked in the police or armed forces – although this is not compulsory, as thorough training will be provided to successful candidates.

Gaining your Security Guard Licence

As we’ve previously mentioned, one of the requirements to become a security guard is obtaining a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. 

Before the SIA was introduced by the government as a non-departmental public body, local councils licensed individuals to work as security guards without any formal background checks taking place. This has now changed, and any individual intending on becoming a security guard needs to complete their SIA licence.

The licence covers security guarding, door supervision, the guarding of valuables in transit, public space surveillance (using CCTV), vehicle immobilising, close protection and key holding. 

This means that security companies can simply check their employee’s licences through the SIA and feel confident in the competency of their applicants without conducting their own background checks.

It’s important to note that while SIA licences can be renewed online, they do not automatically renew and you will need to manually do this 3 years after first receiving it. 

In order to obtain your SIA licence, you need to train for a ‘licence linked’ qualification. This is so that you can prove you have the skills needed to do your job safely. You can find more information on this qualification and the training needed to get an SIA licence on the government link, here. 

You can also search for an approved training provider that offers licenced link training in your area on the SIA website.

Changes to the SIA Licence Requirements

In 2021, the government issued some changes in regard to the training needed for an SIA licence. 

The changes revolved around the training needed before a front line SIA licence would be issued. This includes:

• New updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation.
• One of the new qualifications or top-up training being required before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard licence, and this includes renewals. 

There is now also the requirement of holding a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence. This first aid training must be completed face to face in order to qualify for the SIA licence. The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification or an equivalent.

Note that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that first aiders keep their awareness up to date by taking yearly refresher courses. If you are already a qualified first aider and are simply looking for a refresher course that provides sufficient awareness of first aid without a practical element, our Emergency First Aid At Work (EFAW) Refresher Course may be suitable for your needs. 

Our EFAW Refresher course is designed to refresh the knowledge of existing emergency first aiders so that they continue to feel confident in responding to accidents and incidents. However, it’s important to note that a practical first aid requalification is required every three years in order to remain a first aider and so our courses aren’t suitable for this purpose. 

For further information, you can view the entirety of the changes to the SIA licence requirements at the government website, here. 

We hope you’ve found this article on the requirements to become a security guard and the responsibilities of the role helpful and informative. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – High Speed Training offers a vast range of courses and resources to help!

Further Resources

• Emergency First Aid At Work (EFAW) Refresher Course
• Resilience Training
• What are the Responsibilities of a First Aider?
• How Many First Aiders Does My Workplace Need?
• First Aid Kit Guidance: What Does My Workplace Need?

The post How to Become a Security Guard: Requirements and Responsibilities appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

By helping to prevent accidents, injuries, and any work-related illness, health and safety officers support their employer to ensure that staff are provided with a safe and secure environment to work in. Alongside the responsibility of the employer and employees to uphold health and safety at work, this role is centred around managing risks.

In this article, we explore how to become a health and safety officer, providing guidance on the roles and responsibilities involved, and tips to help you get started. We also look at which policies and procedures should be implemented in accordance with current legislation, so that you are able to make informed decisions when it comes to everyone’s safety.

Want to become a Health & Safety Officer?

Learn about common workplace hazards and discover how to keep everyone safe with our accredited Health and Safety training courses, designed to equip you with the knowledge required to recognise potential risks in your business.

What is a Health and Safety Officer?

A health and safety officer is a qualified individual responsible for monitoring and controlling health and safety compliance in an organisation. As a health and safety officer, you continuously promote safety awareness by ensuring accident prevention and the correct health and safety measures are followed at all times.

Constant vigilance is a vital asset to any organisation in order to prevent any foreseeable accidents or injuries from occurring. It is imperative that health and safety officers are familiar with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant health and safety legislation. They should be aware of general duties, regulations and approved codes of practice, enforcement, obtaining and disclosure of information, and provisions.

In this role, you will need to maintain safety information, shape new protocols, and strengthen existing policies. Health and safety officers play a very important role in helping to protect people from harm, supporting a more efficient and productive place of work. 

By familiarising yourself with current legislation, you are one step closer to ensuring a constant safe environment to work in. Whether you work in an office, on construction sites, or even in a school, becoming a health and safety officer is a rewarding career. 

As a health and safety officer, you have the opportunity to specialise in one specific area, such as first aid or fire safety, or you may want to provide guidance on any safety related issues. Whichever route you take, you will be responsible for supporting your employer to maintain a high standard of health and safety and ensure employees’ welfare and well-being is protected at all times.

Health and Safety Officer Roles and Responsibilities

Both you and your organisation have certain responsibilities to uphold when it comes to protecting those at work and who may be affected by the business’s work activities (e.g. members of the public). As a health and safety officer, your principal responsibility is to ensure the safety of all individuals at all times, and you will have a wide range of duties to accomplish this. Officers should be aware of their roles and responsibilities in order to support their employer in ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of control measures put in place by the competent person (who may be the employer, the health and safety officer, or someone else).

Typically, health and safety officers focus on inspecting the workplace areas to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. It is part of their duty to familiarise themselves with common workplace hazards and understand how to manage these if they become risks. This can help you to make informed decisions when it comes to developing and supporting effective policies.

In general, health and safety officers could be responsible for:

• Constantly monitoring and assessing hazardous or unsafe situations.
• Creating health and safety policies tailored to the specific work activities.
• Implementing health and safety procedures. 
• Carrying out risk assessments.
• Testing electrical equipment.
• Assessing previous accidents and determining what went wrong and how this could be prevented.
• Maintaining contact with those off work due to illness or injury.
• Distributing relevant information on accident prevention. 
• Identifying which individuals need protecting from potential hazards
• Consistently communicating with employees.
• Supporting employees and arranging training where necessary. 
• Communicating with the first aider and/or appointed person on provision, such as first aid kits.
• Undergoing relevant health and safety training to keep knowledge up to date.

Health and safety officers are responsible for leading health and safety practices through policies which utilise plan, do, check, and act. 

• Plan – set the direction for effective health and safety management. 
• Do – introduce practices that ensure risks are dealt with sensibly and responsibly.
• Check – monitor and make recommendations.
• Act – carry out a formal review of health and safety performance.

By following these four steps, no matter where you work, you are ensuring that health and safety is effectively managed in the workplace at all times. 

As a health and safety officer, your principal responsibility is to ensure all individuals are kept safe and healthy at all times. However, remember that it is the employer’s duty to create this work environment and for you to support them in achieving and maintaining this on their behalf.

All employees are entitled to work in an environment where any risks to their health and safety are properly controlled and they will be safe and healthy. Although it is the health and safety officer’s duty to help maintain these measures, workers have a duty to take care of their own health and safety, and that of others, too. They must cooperate with both those they work with and their employers and follow all instructions and their training at all times. If they have any specific queries or concerns relating to health and safety in their workplace, they must talk to their health and safety officer immediately. These actions help to ensure the work environment is a safe and healthy one at all times.

Depending on the environment you choose to work in, your responsibilities as a health and safety officer may differ. For example, a health and safety officer working on a construction site will have varying responsibilities compared to those who work in education, healthcare or an office.

Is Health and Safety a Good Career?

No matter what industry or environment you choose to work in, unfortunately accidents do happen. In your role as a health and safety officer, you will have the opportunity to work with employees to control risks and promote a positive working environment. With this in mind, a health and safety officer could be an incredibly fulfilling role if you are keen to help others.

Not only do you have the potential to save lives, with the flexibility of working in a range of industries for businesses of all different types and sizes, you have the ability to work all over the world. If so, you need to be aware of the relevant legislation and laws of the country in which the business is based. With the right knowledge and skills, you can reap the benefits whilst promoting a positive health and safety culture in your workplace.

For example, promoting positive health and safety in a school is important to a number of people, from pupils to teachers, governors and parents. Therefore, it is a health and safety officer’s duty to be the focal point for the school’s health and safety management arrangements.

A health and safety officer is an essential role in every organisation, whether you opt to work as part of an in-house team, independently, or for a larger organisation. Becoming a health and safety officer is a job in which anyone with the right skill set and qualifications can undertake effectively.

How to Start a Career in Health and Safety

It takes either a university degree, apprenticeship or training through a professional body to become a health and safety officer. The level at which you are entering this occupation determines the steps you should take in order to fully prepare for the role. From gaining the relevant qualifications to applying, the process of becoming a health and safety officer can typically take somewhere between one to five years.

Skills Required

• Good communication skills.
• Good knowledge base on health and safety.
• An eye for detail.
• Problem solving skills.
• Writing skills.
• Organisational skills.

College Courses and Apprenticeships

Usually, you are required to have 2 to 3 A Levels or the equivalent for a qualification if you choose this pathway. Or, for an apprenticeship you typically need 5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C). 

Other Qualifications

Whilst an in-depth knowledge and understanding may help in getting you started, there are also certain training qualifications required. This can vary depending on the setting in which you wish to work, however, either way, it is crucial to keep your training regularly updated. 

Our health and safety training courses may act as evidence of industry-related training for accreditation applications, offering a gateway towards a hugely enriching career. The recommended renewal period for health and safety training will vary depending on industry best practice guidelines, but is typically between one to three years depending on the type of training.

If you wish to become a health and safety officer having already pursued a different career path, there are other routes you can take whilst working. For example, you could study for a health and safety qualification part-time or online alongside your day-to-day job.

Becoming a health and safety officer comes with huge responsibilities. Supporting employee well-being and managing workplace risks can make all environments a safer, more successful place to work. A health and safety officer is an essential role in every organisation, whether you opt to work as part of an in-house team, independently, or for a larger organisation. Becoming a health and safety officer is a job in which anyone with the right skill set and qualifications can undertake effectively.

Further Resources:

• What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Health and Safety Manager?
• What is the Difference Between Hazard and Risk? 
• Health and Safety Signs Quiz
• Health and Safety Quiz
• Health and Safety Training

The post How to Become a Health and Safety Officer: Key Roles and Responsibilities appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Communication takes many forms, including verbal (both face-to-face and distanced, such as over the phone), non-verbal (conveying and understanding non-verbal cues such as body language), written, and visual (such as graphs and visual signage). All these forms of communication are essential and it’s important to understand their importance and know how to use them effectively.

Work in construction?

Our Health and Safety training courses provide you and your workforce with a thorough understanding of the different aspects of health and safety you may encounter.

What is the Role of Communication in Construction?

There are several costly impacts that poor communication can have on an organisation and the success of its projects, including:

• Increased health and safety issues. Work in the construction sector presents many potential hazards, including work at height, hazardous and dangerous substances, and on-site vehicles. Poor communication of health and safety information can significantly increase the number of accidents and incidents, which has a direct impact on productivity, turnover, morale, legal and compensation costs, and reputation with customers.
• Low morale. Poor communication can cause increased stress levels, poor motivation and decreased morale in workers. Additionally, conflict can also arise when different parties in the project are not kept fully informed of all decisions. This can have a significant impact on the happiness and motivation of employees, and working on a site with poor information flow and conflicts is not a pleasant environment. This is often accompanied by feelings of resentment, high staff turnover and increased absences. To learn how to improve teamwork in construction, read our article How to Build Relationships in Construction.
• Lack of clarity around goals. This can result in significant misunderstandings between different stakeholders. This can impact the success of a project as all parties have competing and inconsistent goals. 
• Delays, decreased productivity and profitability. Poor communication and ineffective communication streams can decrease the speed with which information is transferred within a project and can also cause information blocks where information is transferred to the wrong person. This can cause delays and reduced productivity, both of which may affect profit.
• Increased costs. All of the factors above can have a direct impact on costs. For example, accidents and incidents can cause increased staff turnover, increased costs covering absent workers and hiring replacements, increased insurance premiums, and legal costs. Additionally, delays can result in  significant additional costs including increased labour costs and increased rent hire for machinery and tools. Even poor communication around project specifics, such as materialis, project or site specific information, and quantities, can result in the purchase of incorrect, unusable or excess materials – all of which will increase costs.
• Decreased reputation with customers. Poor communication resulting in delays, disruptions, conflicts and high levels of accidents and incidents can develop a negative reputation for an organisation. This can impact an organisations ability to remain competitive.

Poor communication can have serious impacts on an organisation and its employees in many ways. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain effective communication across an organisation, to limit any negative repercussions. However, there can often be barriers to communication, especially in the construction sector, which poses unique challenges that need to be overcome.

What are the Barriers to Communication in Construction?

If you are experiencing poor communication in your organisation, a good place to start is to understand why this might be the case. Detailed below are some common barriers to effective communication within the construction industry. It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. 

Methods of Effective Communication on Construction Sites

There are several ways that you can help to improve communication in your workplace. When considering how to do this, think about the following:

• Effective communication starts from the top down. Therefore, it’s essential that managers and supervisors communicate effectively, listen to their employees and never ignore policy or procedures. By doing this, you’ll start to develop a positive culture across your organisation and quickly start to see employees follow suit. Additionally, it’s essential that your safe working policies, procedures and practices are the same for everyone. There should not be one rule for some and a different rule for others. This will help to ensure everyone communicates and follows the correct methods.
• Ensure formal communication channels are enforced. Communication needs to be effective from the top-down, but also allow employees to raise and report concerns. You should request and actively listen to feedback, both about work and around your communication style. There might be something you can do more of to help ensure your message is heard.
• Be selective when choosing how to communicate. One size does not fit all with communication. Sometimes a ‘tool-box talk’ may be the best way to share information, other times it may be an email or visual sign. It’s important to choose the right communication method to ensure you are properly understood and that your message is received the way you intended.
• Be professional, clear and concise. Don’t over complicate your message and explain your meaning as clearly and concisely as possible. This will help to ensure that your message is understood and the appropriate actions are taken.
• Provide accessible information. For example, health and safety information and other policies and procedures should be widely and easily available for everyone in accessible formats. It’s essential that staff are properly briefed on any updates to health and safety procedures to ensure that staff can work safely and effectively.
• Ensure information is communicated in a timely manner and delivered to all necessary parties. While being open and transparent is an essential part of effective communication, it’s important not to overload everyone with too much information. Sometimes, you may need to share communication with everyone in your organisation, other times, this is not needed. Where possible, it’s better to be specific with communication and target those impacted.
• Identify the linguistic strengths and weaknesses in your organisation. It’s important to consider the current reality and the future needs of your organisation. When hiring, consider the language and communication skills of workers. Do they have skills that would benefit your workforce and help to close the language barrier gaps? You should also ensure that your written materials are properly and accurately translated and provided to workers who need them. It’s important that you ensure these are accurate translations done by professional construction translators, as you do not want to cause misunderstandings. 

Throughout this article we have emphasised the importance of communication in the construction workforce. Effective communication is essential to the successful and safe completion of your projects. Therefore, you should consider communication as a key skill that you want your employees to demonstrate. 

Communication skills may easily be forgotten, as they are seemingly not as important as health and safety or specific speciality skills, but they underpin safe working on your site. High Speed Training offers Communication Skills Training, that can help you train your workers in communication and teach them how to apply their communication skills to reduce communication barriers in your workplace.

The post What is Effective Communication in Construction? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

A first aid qualification will give you the knowledge needed to confidently respond to a wide range of medical situations. This includes those that require life-saving first aid assistance, such as a casualty in cardiac arrest needing CPR urgently. There are two types of first aid qualification – First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW). This article will explain the difference between these two first aid qualifications and when each is required, depending on the workplace.

Looking to gain first aid skills?

Our Workplace First Aid course is essential for everyone in every workplace and every home. You never know when you may need to use first aid skills and have the confidence to act in a potentially life-threatening situation.

What’s the Importance of First Aid Training?

First aid training is important because it gives people the skills needed to help someone who requires medical assistance. This assistance can be crucial to an individual’s survival if their illness or injury is time critical and requires immediate treatment. For example, if someone is losing a lot of blood due to an injury, the bleeding needs to be stopped as soon as possible. The casualty cannot be left unattended until the emergency services arrive, as by this time they could have lost a lot of blood, developed shock, or become unresponsive. First aiders, therefore, play a key role in attending to casualties before paramedics can arrive and take over. They are also required to treat accidents and incidents that don’t require professional medical assistance, such as minor burns and scalds.

Legal Requirements

Under the First-Aid Regulations, all employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel. This ensures that employees receive immediate assistance if they are injured or taken ill at work. What is deemed both ‘adequate and appropriate’ depends on the hazards and risks of the particular workplace and work activities. To determine this, employers must carry out a first aid needs assessment (or arrange for one to be carried out on their behalf).

If the outcome of the needs assessment shows that a first aider is required, then employers must ensure that the required number of people undertake the appropriate first aid training qualification. This will make them either a first aider, or an emergency first aider.

As well as helping to save lives and treat illnesses and injuries, first aid training is important to ensure that employers are adhering to their legal duties.

What are the Differences Between First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work Courses?

There are two types of first aid qualification that certify someone as a first aider: First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW). First Aid at Work is a Level 3 qualification, while Emergency First Aid at Work is classed as a Level 2 qualification.

Similarities Between FAW and EFAW

Both FAW and EFAW Training must include a practical training element. They can, however, include an e-learning component as well as face to face training – this is known as blended learning. If a blended learning course is selected, employers must carry out the necessary additional checks to ensure that it is suitable.

On completion of either training course, the individual will be certified as a qualified first aider. They will have been assessed as having the skills and capabilities to carry out first aid assistance. Specifically, this means that they can give rescue breaths during CPR to a casualty who isn’t breathing normally, whereas those who aren’t qualified are advised to give hands-only CPR.

Requalification training must take place every three years. It is also recommended that first aiders undergo annual refresher training between qualifications. Annual refresher training doesn’t need to involve in-person training. Instead, an online course may be suitable, such as High Speed Training’s First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Refresher courses.

What is an Emergency First Aid at Work Course?

An Emergency First Aid at Work training course (EFAW training) is described by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as training that ‘enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work’. It includes fewer topics than the FAW course, and is designed to qualify trainers to respond confidently to emergency medical situations.

On completion of EFAW training, the individual must be able to:

• Understand the role of the first-aider, including reference to:
  • The importance of preventing cross infection.
  • The need for recording incidents and actions.
  • The use of available equipment.
• Assess the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency.
• Administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious (including seizure).
• Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use an automated external defibrillator.
• Administer first aid to a casualty who is choking.
• Administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded and bleeding.
• Administer first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock.
• Provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries (including small cuts, grazes and bruises, minor burns and scalds, small splinters).

EFAW training courses must involve at least six hours of training and run over a minimum of one day (including the assessment). Note that to remain a first aider, requalification training must be taken every three years. This must cover the same topics as the initial EFAW qualification, and be the same minimum duration (at least six hours over a minimum of one day).

What is a First Aid at Work Course?

A First Aid at Work (FAW) training course is described by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as meeting the same requirements as EFAW training but it ‘also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses’. It is more extensive than the EFAW training course, and is designed to qualify trainers to respond to a range of situations, not just ones which are classed as emergencies.

The HSE states that, on completion of FAW training, the individual must be able to demonstrate competence in all of the subject areas listed for EFAW training (see above), as well as be able to:

• Administer first aid to a casualty with:
  • Injuries to bones, muscles and joints, including suspected spinal injuries.
  • Chest injuries.
  • Burns and scalds.
  • Eye injuries.
  • Sudden poisoning.
  • Anaphylactic shock.
• Recognise the presence of major illness (including heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes) and provide appropriate first aid.

FAW courses must involve at least 18 hours of training and run over a minimum of three days (including the assessment). As with the EFAW qualification, to remain a first aider, FAW requalification training must be taken every three years. This must cover the same topics as the initial FAW qualification, and must be at least 12 hours over a minimum of two days.

Which First Aid Qualification is Best Suited to my Role?

It is the employer’s duty to ensure that they have sufficient first aid ‘personnel’ at their premises. As explained, this involves carrying out a first aid needs assessment to determine what level of provision is required. 

For a workplace where there are low-level hazards, such as an office, and where there’s also a small number of staff present (fewer than 25), a first aider may not be required. Instead, an appointed person may provide sufficient cover. You can find out more about the role of the appointed person in our article ‘How Many First Aiders Do I Need In My Workplace?’. The majority of workplaces, however, will need to have someone who is a qualified first aider, in either FAW or EFAW.

It’s important to remember that the level of first aid qualification needed is dependent on the employer’s first aid needs assessment. If you are an employee and have any queries about what first aid qualification you need, you should speak to your employer. We recommend that employers consult the HSE’s guidance if further information on the requirements for first aiders at work is required:

• First aid at work: Guidance on Regulations
• First aid at work: Your questions answered

Low-Level Hazards

To find out whether your workplace has low or higher level hazards, you can consult the workplace risk assessment which will make this clear.

If the workplace has low-level hazards, you then need to consider how many employees are present. For 25-50 people employed, there must be at least one person holding an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification. If there are more than 50 employees, then the First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification will be required instead. There must be at least one FAW trained person for every 100 people employed.

If there are less than 25 employees at a workplace with low-level hazards, a first aider may not be needed and an appointed person may be sufficient.

Examples of Low-Level Hazard Workplaces

Offices and shops will likely be classed as having low-level hazards. Often, there won’t be any hazards, such as machinery, that could put people at serious risk of harm should something go wrong in these types of work environments. Examples of possible roles in a low-level hazard workplace include retail workers, librarians, office workers, and administrative staff.

It is likely that schools, early years, and colleges would also be classed as having low-level hazards. Guidance published by the Department for Education acknowledges that the First-Aid Regulations don’t require employers to provide first aid for anyone other than their employees, but it’s strongly recommended that the needs of non-employees, such as pupils, students and visitors, are considered. Employers may decide to consider the number of people, as opposed to just the number of employees, when making their first aid needs assessment. The Department for Education also states that this assessment will likely identify that at least one first aider is required. 

Whether they need to be trained in FAW or EFAW will depend on the circumstances of each individual school or college. All employees, and especially teachers, should have an awareness of first aid. This ensures that they know how to react if a child in their care falls ill or sustains an injury. Ultimately, employers are best placed to understand the hazards at their workplace and will determine what level of first aid knowledge is required for their employees.

Higher-Level Hazards

Higher-level hazards are those which are present in the work environment that could cause someone serious harm. As the conditions in workplaces with higher-level hazards mean that more serious injuries can occur, the level of first aid provision required is higher.

If there are fewer than five employees, at least one appointed person may be suitable. For five to 50 employees, at least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW will be required, depending on the type of injuries that might occur. If the potential injuries are severe, then FAW will be required. If more than 50 people are employed, at least one first aider trained in FAW is needed for every 50 employees. For example, if there are 150 employees, then three first aiders qualified in FAW will be required.

Examples of Higher-Level Hazard Workplaces

The HSE lists the following examples of higher-level hazard workplaces: premises where light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, or chemical manufacturing takes place. These types of work activities involve equipment, machinery, or work conditions that can result in very serious injuries if something goes wrong.

Examples of workplaces with higher-level hazards that may result in injury include: a construction site where someone has failed to carry out a work activity in the correct, safe way, and so fallen from height and suffered from a serious head injury; or, a chemical manufacturing site where someone has failed to wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals and has got chemicals in their eyes.

Restaurants and other industries within the hospitality sector may be classed as having higher-level hazards. For example, due to the nature of the work people could sustain burns or scalds, cuts from knife injuries, or a customer may experience an allergic reaction. As there is a potential for this level of harm to occur due to the work activities, it’s likely that at least one employee will need to be a qualified first aider.

It’s considered best practice for all employees to be provided with a knowledge of first aid, both in workplaces with low and higher-level hazards. If someone isn’t a first aider and so doesn’t need to undergo training that makes them qualified, they will likely benefit from first aid awareness training instead. This doesn’t give them a qualification or make them a first aider, but it will provide them with the skills required to respond to a casualty in need.

High Speed Training offers a range of awareness level courses that may be suitable for this purpose, including Workplace First Aid, Paediatric First Aid, and CPR Awareness.

Anyone is able to become a first aider if they want to, they just need to undergo suitable practical first aid training. If you want to become a qualified first aider, there are a range of training providers available who should offer what you need. To find out more about what responsibilities first aiders have, you can look at our dedicated article. 

No matter which of the first aid qualifications you decide to gain, both FAW and EFAW will give you the knowledge and skills needed to respond to emergency situations. The key difference between them is that FAW is more extensive and includes how to treat a wider range of illnesses and injuries.

Further Resources

• Online FAW Refresher Training
• Online EFAW Refresher Training
• How to Conduct a First Aid Needs Assessment: Free Template
• First Aid Kit Guidance: What Does My Workplace Need?
• How to Support Individuals After Giving First Aid Assistance

The post First Aid Qualifications: The Difference Between FAW and EFAW appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we’ll look at the proper basic technique for using extinguishers. This is known as the PASS technique – pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. Knowing this technique will help you to react quickly and confidently if the situation calls for it. We’ll also explain other important aspects of using extinguishers that you should be aware of in addition to PASS, as it is just one part of using fire extinguishers safely.

Looking to learn more?

Our Fire Extinguisher training course teaches you about the various types of fire extinguishers that may be present in your workplace and how to use them effectively.

What is PASS for Fire Extinguishers?

PASS is the acronym used to remember the four basic steps for using a fire extinguisher. Some extinguishers have their own specific techniques, but PASS is the basis for using all types of extinguishers, regardless of any additional specific requirements.  

PASS stands for:

• Pull – pull out the pin from the extinguisher, which will allow you to use the trigger. This may sometimes require a twisting action as well as pulling.
• Aim – aim the extinguisher’s hose at the fire. The way in which you aim may differ depending on the type of extinguisher.
• Squeeze – firmly squeeze the trigger to discharge the contents of the extinguisher. You should discharge the extinguisher’s entire contents.
• Sweep – sweep the hose of the extinguisher over the fire to evenly discharge the contents. The particular way in which you sweep may differ depending on the type of extinguisher. Some require a rapid sweeping motion while others require gentle sweeping.

Those who are nominated by their employers to use fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment should familiarise themselves with the PASS technique.

Using the PASS fire extinguisher technique will ensure you’re taking the necessary basic steps to prepare the extinguisher for use and to tackle the fire correctly and safely.

Note, however, that PASS is only one small part of using fire extinguishers.

It’s important to understand the difference between the various types of extinguishers and their own individual techniques.

Likewise, it’s vital to know how to assess the situation to determine whether or not it’s actually safe to try fight the fire.  For example, you may be fully confident in using an extinguisher, but if the incorrect type is present for the class of fire that you’re facing, or the fire is too large to combat with an extinguisher, then it would not be safe to attempt to fight it. This requires you to think quickly and critically in any given fire emergency.

Furthermore, your ability to escape should always take priority. While your confidence in using extinguishers safely could enable you to put out a small fire and prevent a serious incident, there are many situations where it won’t be safe to fight the fire. You should always put the safety of yourself and others first.

It’s therefore important for you to receive training that provides a well-rounded understanding of how to use fire extinguishers and how to assess fire emergency situations. You should also receive practical training, so you have the opportunity to practise physically holding and using fire extinguishers. You should not attempt to use extinguishers if you haven’t received practical training.

Remember: in a fire emergency, making a quick but most importantly safe decision is vital. Having the necessary information, instruction, and training will ensure you can do so, with PASS forming one part of this wider understanding.   

Further Resources:

• Online Fire Extinguisher Training Course
• Online Fire Safety Training Course
• Online Fire Warden Training Course
• Fire Door Safety: What are the Requirements?
• Fire Risk Assessment Quiz
• Fire Warden Quiz
• Fire Extinguisher Quiz
• Fire Safety Quiz

The post What Does PASS Stand For? Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Want to learn how to save a life?

Our Basic Life Support Training is designed to give you the knowledge and understanding required to react quickly and appropriately in emergency situations. Or, look to increase your first aid awareness with our essential Workplace First Aid Training, useful for everyone in every workplace and every home.

Signs of Choking

The universal sign that indicates this is happening is when a person clutches at their throat. It is important to recognise the signs of choking so action can be taken quickly. The NHS describes choking as occurring when a person’s airway suddenly becomes fully or partly blocked, rendering them unable to breathe. 

Some of the more common signs a person is choking include:

• Coughing or gagging.
• Watery eyes.
• An inability to talk properly or at normal volume.
• Having a red, puffy face.
• Wheezing or abnormal breathing sounds.
• Signs of distress, such as throat clutching or panicked hand gestures.
• A blue colouring to their lips or skin.
• Passing out.

Causes of choking

It is likely many of us will have experienced a mild episode of choking at some point in our lives, perhaps a crisp got stuck in your throat or your drink felt like it went down the wrong way. Our instinctive reaction in such situations is to cough, which is usually sufficient to rectify the situation.

Certain people may be more at risk of choking on their food and drink, those with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) for example. Dysphagia can occur following a stroke or even as a result of old age. If you work in a role that sees you caring for those at greater risk of choking, you have a Duty of Care to keep those you support free from risk of harm. To avoid the risk of choking, control measures such as thickened fluids and a soft food diet may be required.  

Some of the more common causes of choking include:

• Eating or drinking too quickly.
• Not properly chewing large pieces of food before swallowing.
• Wearing poorly fitting dentures.
• Distractions whilst eating and drinking, such as laughing or moving around.
• Choking on one’s own vomit – particularly after drinking large amounts of alcohol.
• Foreign objects causing an obstruction – a common cause in younger children as they often explore the world around them by putting things in their mouths. 

The Office of National Statistics’ latest Choking related deaths in England and Wales report shows that the elderly are the most likely to suffer fatal choking incidents, with more occurrences taking place in hospitals than in their own home. This may be because those over 65 are more prone to conditions leading to dysphagia, having poorly fitting dentures, a reduction in saliva, are left unattended with food or are fed too quickly by care staff. 

Choking can be a life-threatening, and therefore time-sensitive emergency, making the need for quick reactions and an effective response incredibly important. When a person can no longer take in oxygen, the brain and other vital organs become oxygen starved and the body goes into respiratory arrest. The more time that passes, the more irreparable damage is done. If respiratory arrest is not treated, it will ultimately lead to a cardiac arrest.

Taking a First Aid course is an excellent way to gain the knowledge required to respond to a person who is choking, and increase confidence when it comes to handling emergency situations. 

Types of Choking

There are two main types of choking. One is known as a partial airway obstruction or mild choking, and the other is a complete airway obstruction, or severe choking. It is important to be able to identify what kind of airway obstruction a person is suffering with, as this will inform the kind of assistance that is required. 

How to Identify the Type of Choking 

If someone has a partial airway obstruction:

• They should be able to breathe.
• Their breathing may sound different as air passes through a narrower space.
• They should be able to cough.
• They should be able to cry.
• They will usually be able to clear the blockage themselves.

If someone has a complete airway obstruction: 

• They will be unable to breathe.
• They will be unable to cough.
• They will be unable to cry.
• They will require help, without it they will lose consciousness. 

How to Help Someone Choking

Once you have identified the type of airway obstruction a person has, you can respond accordingly. If they have a partial obstruction, you should, in the first instance, encourage them to cough to try and clear the blockage and ask them to spit out any item in their mouth. Do not put your fingers into their mouth as they may bite or you may push an obstruction further down the throat. If these steps do not work, you should perform back blows.

If someone is suffering a complete obstruction, you should begin with five back blows, also referred to as back slaps. If these do not successfully clear the obstruction, you should move onto administering five abdominal thrusts. Abdominal thrusts should not be given to children under one year of age or pregnant women. If neither back blows or abdominal thrusts clear the obstruction, call 999 or 112 immediately.

In the first instance with a young child, if they are already coughing with sound, encourage them to carry on. If this is unsuccessful you should look for an obstruction. If you can see it, carefully try and remove it, but be careful not to push the object further into their throat. If this does not work, move on to age appropriate back blows. If this still does not work, give infants under one year of age chest thrusts and children over one year abdominal thrusts. Do not leave a child alone at any point.

If a casualty of any age becomes unconscious, lay them on a hard, flat surface and call the emergency services immediately. Place the call on loudspeaker so you have both hands free and follow the advice given by the emergency services operator. They will likely require you to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

How to Administer Back Blows

To perform back blows on adults or children over one year of age, you should:

• Stand behind them, slightly to the side. Hold out your forearm and lean them forward so you are supporting their chest.
• Lay a small child over the age of one face down on your lap to perform back blows.
• Use the heel of your free hand to give a maximum of five sharp back blows, between their shoulder blades. The heel is the part of your hand between the palm and your wrist.
• Check to see if the obstruction has cleared.
• Move on to five abdominal thrusts if it has not cleared.

To perform back blows on an infant under one year of age, you should:

• Lay the infant face down along either your thigh or your forearm. Supporting their head with your hand.
• Use the heel of your free hand, give up to five sharp back blows in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.
• Check their mouth for any visible obstruction following the back blows and carefully remove it with the thumb and index finger.
• Move onto chest thrusts (for infants under one year of age) if the obstruction has not cleared.

How to Administer Chest Thrusts

Chest thrusts should be performed on infants under one year of age if the obstruction has not been cleared by using back blows.

To perform chest thrusts, you should:

• Lay the infant face up along the length of your thighs.
• Locate the breastbone and place two fingers in the centre.
• Administer five sharp chest thrusts/pushes.
• The chest should be compressed to about a third of its depth.

How to Administer the Abdominal Thrust Procedure (Heimlich Manoeuvre)

To administer abdominal thrusts to adults and children over one year of age, you should: 

• Stand behind them and put your arms around their waist, bending them forward.
• Kneel behind them instead of standing if you are performing this on a smaller child. 
• Make a fist with one hand and place it just above their belly button.
• Take your other hand and grab your fist, then pull sharply inwards and upwards five times.
• Check if the obstruction has dislodged.
• Call 999 or 112 for help immediately if the obstruction is still blocked, and follow the operator’s advice.

If the cycle of back blows and abdominal thrusts or chest thrusts does not clear the obstruction, call for help regardless of whether they are still conscious. Continue the cycle until help arrives and always follow the advice given by the emergency services. If a person is unable to stand, for example if they are confined to a wheelchair, then back blows and abdominal thrusts should be given from the side. 

Feel free to download our free infographic below, as a reminder of the steps required to give back blows and abdominal thrusts to a choking adult.

Download our Infographic for Administering Back Blows and Abdominal Thrusts Here

Choking After Effects

If someone has suffered a choking episode it is generally advisable to get checked out by a doctor following the event as there are certain complications that can arise as a consequence. It is useful to be aware of some of the after effects that can occur. 

Some of the after effects following choking, can include:

• Damage to the delicate lining of the airways due to the object that caused the obstruction. Swelling can occur over time.
• Aspiration pneumonia – this is inflammation or infection of the lungs caused by food or liquids being inhaled into the lungs.
• Psychological effects – choking can be very scary, and the casualty or responder may be left with some anxieties or post traumatic stress following the event. 
• The physical impact of back blows, abdominal thrusts or even CPR, can lead to bruising or injury to the ribs. 

How to Prevent Choking

When looking at ways to prevent choking, always look at the most common causes and consider ways you could control their associated risk. For example, as young children are prone to choking on small foreign objects, such as pieces of Lego, marbles etc, always try to keep toys age appropriate and keep small items out of reach.

Other ways to help prevent choking include:

• Cutting food into small pieces, particularly for children and adults with an increased risk of choking. 
• Avoid certain foods that make choking more likely, such as whole grapes. 
• Encouraging food to be chewed slowly and thoroughly.
• Not encouraging laughter or talking whilst someone is eating.
• Slowing down the speed you assist someone to eat and consider how much food you give at once. 
• Ensuring food has been swallowed before feeding another mouthful.
• Changing food textures to a softer diet or adding thickener to fluids. 
• Avoiding excessive intake of alcohol before and during meals.
• Not eating or drinking unless sat in an upright position. 

It is important not to leave those at increased risk of choking unsupervised at meal times. Being present not only allows you to act fast should a choking incident occur, but also helps prevent situations of food sharing. Older siblings or others sharing their dining space may not realise the dangers certain foods can pose to those more likely to choke. 

Some common foods that can increase the likelihood of choking are:

• Firm round foods like whole grapes.
• Very dry foods such as crackers and rice cakes.
• Popcorn.
• Hard boiled sweets.
• Stringy foods such as celery.
• White bread as it can expand and block the airway, especially if water is taken in also.
• Meat with bones.

It is important to remember that choking can happen to anyone and at any time or place. It is good practice for everyone to have a basic knowledge of how to prevent, recognise and respond to choking incidents as it could save someone’s life. 

Further Resources:

• Workplace First Aid Training Course
• Basic Life Support Training Course
• How to Administer CPR

The post Guidance on What To Do If Someone Is Choking appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

• Keeping staff up to date on vital legislation training during the pandemic, when face to face training was not an option
• Creating a training schedule that would fit workers on different shift patterns, at multiple sites in multiple countries

The Objectives

• Ensure that staff working in high-risk environments have the correct training to carry out their jobs safely and effectively
• Continue the personal development of members of the Technical Services team

The Solution

• A range of accredited online training, covering areas of compliance and legislation
• This allows for staff to undertake training flexibly and at convenient times

A Background on the University of Exeter

The University of Exeter is a Russell Group public research university with four sites across Devon and Cornwall. Formed in 1955, the University currently has over 23,000 students and over 5,500 academic and administrative staff.

We spoke to Emma McArdle, Project Manager for Quality Assurance and Improvement in Technical Services at the University, to find out how High Speed Training’s courses have helped develop their staff’s skills.

What were the challenges or problems that you faced as an organisation that made you look to online training?

Emma explained that the pandemic had drastically shifted how the teams were operating, and that online training in areas such as PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) was the best way to ensure staff were still compliant and knowledgeable about all the latest health and safety regulations that they needed.

How has the training helped your organisation?

When an organisation purchases multiple courses with High Speed Training, they are able to check the progress of their learners through a management suite. This allows training managers to keep track of how many learners have completed their courses. Emma also explained that the suite helped to prove their compliance and show their dedication to staff development.

What were the advantages of taking the training online? 

The Technical Services Team at the University of Exeter has over 230 staff, working at six different sites across two different counties. This presents a real logistical challenge when it comes to training, as staff are often working different shift patterns and working on different projects, meaning it can be difficult to find times when groups can learn together.

How important is training, personal development and employee growth at the University of Exeter?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the process of developing professional skills and knowledge through interactive, participation-based or independent learning. It is an area that organisations are increasingly focusing on, and the University of Exeter is no exception.

Why did you choose High Speed Training?

Take a look at our extensive library of courses or call a member of our friendly support team on 0333 006 7000 to see how we can help your organisation grow.

Further Resources:

• How to Upskill Yourself
• A Guide to the Most Common Workplace Hazards
• Online Training Courses

The post Case Study: Compliance at the University of Exeter appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

This article will provide further insights into the importance of first aid assistance, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and look at the ways in which support can be offered following an event that required CPR to be performed. We will also look at how psychological shock can be treated following an accident as well as how prolonged emotional challenges can be recognised following traumatic events.

Looking to learn more?

Our Basic Life Support Training is designed to give you the knowledge and understanding required to react quickly and appropriately in emergency situations, increasing the safety and quality of care provided.

Importance of CPR and First Aid Assistance

We have mentioned that both accidents and health-related emergencies can occur at any time and place and that we are all susceptible to being involved in such events. This makes it likely that those who are present when an emergency occurs will be everyday civilians, without professional medical knowledge or prior experience of dealing with whatever incident it is that lay before them. It may be a stranger, a loved one or a colleague that you are required to help.

Understanding how to respond to an emergency is knowledge that everyone should have and something that each of us may need to put into practice at some time in our lives. Even a basic understanding can help you react more appropriately and crucially, quicker. Knowing the steps to take can help manage everyone’s safety and ensure the casualty gets the help they need in the most appropriate and timely way possible.

It is important to note that you do not require training or a qualification to perform hands-only CPR (chest compressions only), or to use a defibrillator, and do bear in mind that the emergency services operator can offer guidance if you are unsure of how to act or you lack confidence. 

CPR plus defibrillation can dramatically increase someone’s chances of survival, making the need to react quickly even more important. Whilst not essential, taking CPR training can improve the competence and confidence with which CPR is performed. Having a first aid qualification is one way to ensure you have the knowledge and skill required to deal with a variety of situations.

Some of the other benefits of gaining a first aid qualification are:

• Improved workplace safety.
• Accidents may be reduced.
• It may help save a life.
• Increased awareness of hazards.
• Better understanding of risks and dangers.
• It helps you to keep calm under pressure.
• It ensures first aid kits are used properly. 

The meaning of first aid is exactly as its name suggests – it is the first help that an individual receives when they are ill or injured. The first aider has a responsibility to provide this help whilst keeping the individual, themselves and those around them safe and free from harm. A more detailed look at the duties and responsibilities of a first aider are described further in our Workplace First Aid Course. 

Many people seek to gain a first aid qualification and this can be for a variety of reasons. It may be motivated by general interest, a requirement of their working role, they participate in activities with an increased risk of injury, they wish to better protect their family or friends, or because they want to feel better prepared to deal with unexpected injury or illness should they occur. 

With this in mind, there is still a large number of people who do not know how to perform CPR, with the Resuscitation Council UK stating over a third of adults in the UK have never taken any form of training to learn CPR skills. Thankfully, the British Heart Foundation amongst others have played an important role in campaigning for children to be taught CPR skills at school and to have this valuable training included as part of the curriculum. 

Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Guidelines 

When a person’s heart loses its ability to function, it ceases to pump and blood no longer flows around the body, the breathing stops and a lack of consciousness occurs. When this takes place outside of a hospital it is known as an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The British Heart Foundation states there are over 30 thousand OHCAs in the UK each year. 

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are most often treated by bystanders in the first instance. Unfortunately, out of those 30 thousand who suffer an OHCA each year, only 1 in 10 survive. The time it takes to start CPR has the greatest impact on survival. The need for empowering bystander CPR through awareness and training, and increasing public access to defibrillators, is of vital importance if there is to be any improvement to the rate of survival for these casualties going forward.

There are certain adaptations to remember when it comes to performing CPR. When performing CPR on an adult, an infant (under 12 months) or a child (over 12 months), the way in which compressions and rescue breaths are given varies. Our How to Administer CPR article offers step by step guidance on how to perform CPR and includes useful downloadable infographics for you to display and refer back to at any point. 

Supporting Those Suffering With PTSD After Giving CPR

CPR can be a traumatic experience for all involved. The circumstances in which you have to perform CPR can vary, for example, a stranger may collapse in the street with only you around to help, you may have to perform CPR on a loved one, or on a child, or you may have to witness CPR taking place. Regardless of the circumstances or the outcome, the event will likely have an impact on you and your emotions. 

Even those with countless experiences and years of training, such as paramedics, nurses and doctors, can still suffer emotional challenges and reactions to this event. Whether you have gone through this experience yourself or are needing to offer support to someone who has, it is important to bear in mind that the impact can last some time and everyone will react and cope in different ways.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that is caused by distressing, stressful or frightening events. Each of these words could easily be associated with a situation involving CPR. It is useful to familiarise yourself with PTSD symptoms so you are able to recognise when yourself or someone you know may be being affected by it. Symptoms can often be prolonged and can affect a person’s daily life. 

Common PTSD symptoms include:

• Nightmares and flashbacks of the event.
• Feelings of isolation.
• A tendency to withdraw.
• Irritability.
• Feelings of guilt.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Sleep problems, such as insomnia. 

It is incredibly important to access the right support following a traumatic event, whether that means talking to family, friends or colleagues, or seeking counselling to talk through what happened and how you are feeling. There are also online forums and support groups that can be useful as they enable people in similar circumstances to share their experiences and feelings with each other. There are also numerous charities and organisations dedicated to helping people with their mental health, such as Mind, SANE or Anxiety UK. 

Furthermore, a GP may be able to offer additional support to help someone manage their symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety or sleep issues. Do keep in mind that those that need support may initially refuse it, the tendency to withdraw or feelings of guilt can often be responsible for a lack of engagement. Be patient and keep checking in with them, just knowing someone is there and cares can make a big difference to those struggling. 

How to Treat Shock After an Accident

Here we refer to the emotional or psychological shock that can take place after an unexpected stressful event. It is often described as a surge of strong emotions that can lead to a physical reaction. These physical reactions are caused by our bodies’ fight or flight response and lead to a range of symptoms, as detailed below. There are many life events that can lead to shock, but the unexpected, sudden and often chaotic nature of an accident is a common cause. 

Examples of serious accidents likely to lead to shock include, a car accident, a fall or a near drowning event. These accidents could also cause a need for CPR to be performed on scene or emergency first aid to be delivered, such as managing heavy bleeding.

Again, whether you were directly involved in an accident, needed to perform CPR, or were a witness, it can still be a highly emotive situation. It is important to be able to recognise the symptoms of psychological stress so that appropriate help can be given. 

Common psychological stress symptoms include: 

• A surge of adrenaline.
• Shaking or feeling jittery.
• Feelings of needing to vomit.
• A tight feeling in the chest.
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating.
• Intense anger or the desire to lash out or scream. 
• The urge to run away.
• Feeling disconnected, like watching events play out as though in a movie or a dream. 
• Feeling numb.

There is no right or wrong way to feel after suffering a traumatic event, whether it was performing CPR, providing other emergency aid, being involved in an accident or witnessing these events as they happen. We all have our own coping mechanisms and ways of processing and dealing with our emotions, but being able to recognise the symptoms associated with psychological shock, PTSD or any other emotional challenges, helps us to better understand when someone requires support.

Some ways to support someone suffering psychological shock include:

• Keeping them and those around them safe as they may act impulsively during their initial adrenaline surge.
• Helping them to calm their breathing.
• Not asking them to make any important decisions during the initial stages of shock.
• Reminding them that how they are feeling at that moment will pass.
• Helping them access pain relief as once the initial shock has worn off they may need it. Feelings of tension throughout the body and muscular pain can be common after shock. 
• Explaining to them that surges of adrenaline can mask pain, whether caused during the accident or delayed arm soreness after giving CPR.

Coping strategies following psychological shock are the same as with PTSD, these both relate to dealing with ongoing feelings, both emotionally and physically following a traumatic event. Giving yourself and others time to process and heal, whilst making various types of support accessible to all, is incredibly important.  

Remember the benefits of talking following a traumatic event, access support systems like counselling, your GP, friends or support groups to help encourage open communication and prevent feelings of isolation. Acts of self-care like regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, keeping a routine and practising relaxation techniques can all help during the process as well. 

When an accident takes place or a cardiac arrest occurs, those who witness it or respond by providing emergency aid, can be left with many challenging emotions to deal with. First aid and CPR training can help with competence and confidence, but support should always be offered to all involved following any such traumatic event. 

Further Resources:

• Workplace First Aid Training Course
• How to Carry Out the Primary Survey Using the DRABC Steps
• Stress Awareness in the Workplace Training Course

The post How to Support Individuals After Giving First Aid Assistance appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

This article includes information on what moving and handling is and the types of equipment that are often used. It also covers the policies that are in place and the legislation involved, as well as the importance of risk assessments.

What is Moving and Handling?

Moving and handling refers to the manual handling of people. In the past, it was often referred to as just manual handling, however it is now known as moving and handling to differentiate between the movement of objects and people.

Before being able to move people in a care setting, you must be fully trained. This often involves learning and practical training before an assessment of competency is completed.

Want to know more?

If you work in health and social care, why not check out our Moving and Handling People in Health and Social Care course? This course covers the information and guidance needed to move and position service users safely and the importance of risk assessments, as well as the potential hazards and injuries involved.

If you work in health and social care, you will probably be involved in moving and handling people. This encompasses any time you support someone to move and will often involve the use of specialist equipment.

Some examples of activities that you may not think involve moving and handling, but actually do, include:

• Helping a person in and out of bed, to turn over or to sit up.
• Helping a person go to the toilet.
• Helping a person to wash or bathe.
• Helping a person to stand, walk or sit down.
• Helping a person get in or out of a car.
• Lifting and carrying loads of laundry.
• Pushing, pulling or carrying cleaning supplies.
• Moving furniture or other objects.
• Bringing objects to a person’s chair or bedside.
• Carrying food trays or pushing a food trolley.

If not carried out correctly, moving and handling activities can cause serious physical injury to you and others. Therefore, it is important you follow your training and an ergonomic approach.

As well as ensuring you move and handle individuals safely, you also need to use and maintain equipment correctly. Many types of equipment are vital for certain moving and handling tasks in order to prevent injuries whilst promoting independence, dignity and quality of life.

Types of Moving and Handling Equipment in Care

Staying safe during moving and handling activities is paramount, therefore there are many considerations when dealing with different types of equipment. In the past, health and social care workers used techniques that required the care worker to support most of the service user’s weight, which led to many injuries.

Moving and handling techniques now involve the use of specialist equipment to reduce the physical impact on those involved and the likelihood of injuries.

Before you use moving and handling equipment, there are certain checks you must carry out to ensure the safety of those involved. You should ask yourself:

• Are there any signs of damage such as cracks, frays or exposed wires?
• Is the equipment clean?
• Has electrical equipment been serviced and had an up-to-date portable appliance test (PAT)?
• Is there enough charge in the equipment to carry out the task?
• Are there any trailing wires?
• Is there enough room to complete the task?
• Have the members of staff been trained and deemed competent to use the equipment?
• Is the equipment appropriate for the individual, such as the correct size?

Necessary equipment may include:

Hoists – there are several variations and types of hoists available, they are generally used for those who are non-weight bearing and include mobile hoists (these are brought to the service user and used to transfer them), ceiling or tracking hoists (these have a motor that moves along a track on the ceiling from which a cradle can be lowered or raised on a lifting tape), standing hoists, bath hoists or bath lifts.

Slings – there are many variations of slings including bath slings, toilet slings, in-situ slings (these are used when removing the sling is difficult due to fragile skin) and transfer slings.

Slide sheets – these are sometimes referred to as glide sheets and are made of a low-friction material. They are used to help move an individual with less physical effort and without dragging. Some are permanently underneath the service user, others are only placed underneath them during manoeuvres, some are disposable and others are reusable.

Transfer boards – these are used to assist in moving a service user to and from different furniture, for example from a seat to a wheelchair. They are often used in conjunction with slide sheets or handling belts.

Turning aids – these are used to assist in turning people around and are also known as rota stands, turntables or patient turners.

Electric profiling beds – these are mostly for dependent or immobile residents and provide adjustable height and tailored positioning of the individual while in bed. They are used to adjust the bed for eating, breathing issues or to move the individual from a seating to standing position.

Wheelchairs – wheelchairs are very common in health and social care and come in a variety of types. They may be electric, manual, able to recline and or very basic.

Handling belts – these are used for assisting residents who can support their own weight to help them stand up. They should not be used for lifting.

Bed levers – sometimes referred to as support rails or poles, these do not strictly class as moving and handling equipment however they are worth mentioning. They are used to reduce the risk of falls and aid the service user when repositioning in their bed.

Moving and Handling Legislation

There are various pieces of legislation that outline the requirements for moving and handling. Following legislation and guidelines is essential to ensure employees and service users are safe.

Legislation focuses upon reducing risk through the use of risk assessments. This is especially important in moving and handling as there is a high risk of injury to both staff and service users if an activity is carried out incorrectly.

There are a few different pieces of legislation that are involved, including:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

If moving and handling activities are carried out without following the legislation and guidance given, those involved are at a high risk of injuring themselves or others. Consequently, employers should put in place their own policies surrounding moving and handling to ensure legislation is being followed.

What is the Moving and Handling Policy in Health and Social Care?

As mentioned, there are policies in place within health and social care settings which can help carers to safely move and handle their service users.

Some key elements of a moving and handling policy include:

• A statement of the organisation’s commitment to managing the risks associated with moving and handling people and loads.
• Details of who is responsible for doing what.
• Details of your risk assessment and action planning processes.
• A commitment to introduce measures to reduce the risk.
• Arrangements for training.
• Arrangements for providing and maintaining handling equipment.
• Details of your systems for monitoring compliance with the policy and for regular review.
• Information for staff on reporting pain and injuries.

Moving and Handling Risk Assessment for Carers

Even with policies and procedures in place, a risk assessment is still needed. Risk assessments are a legal requirement and evaluate the risks involved in moving and handling activities, then put in place ways to reduce them in order to prevent harm to service users or staff.

The main steps involved in a risk assessment are:

Identifying the hazards – this means identifying the possible risks to health during moving and handling activities, such as excessive strain or awkward positioning. The risk assessment should also identify the type and frequency of moving and handling activities, the equipment used, the staff involved and the environment, including moving and handling in the event of emergencies such as fire evacuations.

Identifying who may be harmed and how – this means identifying the people at risk of harm from the hazards involved in moving and handling. This will include the staff, service users and any visiting family and friends.

Evaluating the risks – risk assessments must be tailored to the individual’s specific needs and should consider their abilities, the equipment to be used, the number of staff needed and moving and handling in case of emergencies, such as a fall. It should be taken into consideration that the individual’s needs and abilities can change over time and even during the course of a day, for example if they take a medication that affects their muscle strength.

Controlling the risks – this step involves deciding on the precautions that will be taken to reduce the likelihood of harm. One of the first considerations should be whether the moving and handling activity is absolutely necessary. If it is not possible to remove the need for moving and handling, appropriate control measures should be put in place.

Recording and reviewing the assessment – if there are five or more members of staff within a care provider, it is a legal requirement to record the findings of risk assessments. However, regardless of size it is good practice to keep a record of risk assessments. They should be reviewed regularly, especially in the event of new equipment, a new service user, procedural changes, if an accident occurs, or if the health of the service user changes significantly enough to impact on the risk assessment.

You should familiarise yourself with the risk assessments, policies and procedures within your care setting to ensure you are working in the safest way. As well as following risk assessments and legislation, you should read through individual care plans before performing any moving and handling activity to guarantee the action you are about to perform is appropriate and necessary.

There are a multitude of different moving and handling techniques that often involve the use of specialist equipment. Moving and handling equipment varies and you should ensure it is safe and you know how to use it to prevent injury to anyone involved in the activity. Risk assessments and legislation are in place to keep everyone safe and should be followed so you can provide high-quality care.

Further Resources:

• Moving and Handling People in Health and Social Care Training Course
• Ergonomic Approach to Manual Handling in Care Homes
• Manual Handling in Care Homes
• Basic Life Support Training

The post What are Moving and Handling Policies in Health and Social Care: Guidance on Equipment appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.