This article will explain the various responsibilities an electrician may have, how to become an electrician and the qualifications required, the skills you need to have and how to develop your career as an electrician.

What Does an Electrician Do?

Electricians work with any equipment, wire or machine that uses energy. They install, inspect, test and repair electrical equipment to ensure that it works correctly and safely. 

On a daily basis, and depending on what type of electrician you are, you may be responsible for:

• Installing wires, sockets and switches in properties.
• Carrying out the necessary checks of electrical systems to ensure they’re safe and working efficiently.
• Designing electrical and lighting plans for new properties.
• Installing, checking or repairing street lighting and traffic management systems.
• Rewiring residential buildings and other properties.
• Constructing and installing control panels. 
• Carrying out repairs to electric machines.

Depending on your specific duties, you may work at a client’s home, offices, schools, shops, other buildings, on a construction site or outside, if involved with traffic management systems or street lighting. You may work alongside others, carry out lone working, work in confined spaces or work at height. To ensure you are kept safe and healthy, you may need to wear personal protective equipment. The working hours can vary, but are typically between 30 and 40 hours a week. There are different types of electricians and so you need to understand which position you would like to pursue.

What Qualifications Does an Electrician Need?

To develop a career as an electrician, you can take several different routes. You may be eligible for courses at colleges or those offered by other training providers. Alternatively, you could learn on the job through an apprenticeship which combines practical work experience with classroom style learning. If you have transferable skills, such as experience working in construction and trades, you could retrain as an electrician. Note that if you want to become more specialised as an electrician, you will need to undergo additional training and, in some cases, gain further qualifications.

You will likely have better job and earning prospects if you follow an industry-approved training route to become a qualified electrician. As these courses are of a high standard, completing them shows that you meet these standards and are skilled. Examples of industry-improved training includes training courses offered by City & Guilds, EAL and apprenticeships. It’s important that you carry out your own research into which route is the best for you to take.

College

To provide you with an introductory level of understanding and practical skills for the role of an electrician, you may want to take a college course. Alongside this, you must undergo practical training in a workplace to become a fully qualified electrician. On completion of a college course, you may find it supports you to secure an apprenticeship or trainee position to further your career prospects.

Courses available at a college or other training provider may include the following, as listed on the National Careers Service and Go Construct websites:

• Level 2 Diploma in Access to Building Services Engineering (Electrical)
• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Building Services (Electrical Installation route) or EAL Level 2 Intermediate Diploma in Electrical Installation
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Building Services (Electrical Installation route) or EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

You will need to check the entry requirements for the course you want to take. Usually, you need to have:

• For a Level 2 course, 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent.
• For a Level 3 course, 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent.
• For a T Level course, 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and Maths.

You can find out more about college courses and T Levels through the links below:

• Find a course | National Careers Service
• T Levels | The Next Level Qualification

On completion of a college course, you will need to work in the industry to become a fully qualified electrician. You will either need to find employment and join an apprenticeship programme, or find employment or become self-employed and take the City & Guilds or EAL’s Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment (Buildings, Structures & the Environment). Whichever route you take, you must then pass the AM2 assessment to become fully qualified.

Apprenticeships

Electrician apprenticeships include a combination of on-the-job training and learning at a college or training provider, though they tend to involve more practical training than classroom-based learning. You will be fully employed by your company and work at least 30 hours per week.

Options include a domestic electrician advanced apprenticeship (level 3), an installation and maintenance electrician advanced apprenticeship (level 3) or an electrician apprenticeship with the armed forces. Both the domestic and the installation and maintenance apprenticeships are equivalent to A level and eligible for government funding. The domestic electrician apprenticeship will teach you how to install and maintain electrical services within a domestic setting, while the installation and maintenance electrician apprenticeship will teach you how to do so in industrial and commercial environments, as well as residential. 

If you want to join the British Army and train as an electrician, you can do so as a Royal Engineer soldier. You will firstly undergo initial military training as a Junior or Regular Soldier for either 14 or 23 weeks. Following this, you will attend the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment for 12 weeks and then finish with a 33 week course at the Royal School of Military Engineering. Similarly, the Royal Air Force offers the Level 3 Engineering Technician – Mechatronics Maintenance Technician (Electrical) apprenticeship. This teaches you how to design, build, service and repair a range of engineering products and services.

You usually need to have 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and Maths, for an advanced apprenticeship. If you want to gain your training in the British Army, you need to have GCSE grade 9 to 5 (or A to C) in Maths, GCSE grade 9 to 4 (or A to C) in English Language and one other subject. For the RAF’s apprenticeship, you need to have GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, Maths and an approved Science/Technology-based subject. Both the Army and the RAF require applicants to meet additional criteria. You must pass the basic physical fitness assessment to be eligible for the British Army’s apprenticeship. The RAF also requires applicants to pass a fitness test and the Defence Aptitude Assessment in addition.

To find out more about apprenticeships that are available near you, follow the links below:

• Gov.uk: Become an apprentice
• Gov.uk: Find an apprenticeship
• Apprentice Training Course – Domestic Electrician
• Apprenticeship Training Course – Installation and Maintenance Electrician
• Electrician – Royal Engineers
• Electrician – Royal Air Force

Essential Qualifications

To fully qualify as an electrician, there are some essential qualifications which you must hold. You need to complete the Achievement Measurement 2 (AM2) assessment which is an industry-recognised competence which proves your practical electrical skills. The test is administered by the National Electrotechnical Training (NET) and is usually the final component of your electrical qualification. You can find out more about the assessment on the NET’s website.
In addition, there are some criteria which you need to meet depending on your circumstances. If you want to work with electrical wiring it is essential that you have normal colour vision. You will have to pass a colour vision assessment test to verify this. If you are going to be carrying out work on a construction site, you may need to hold an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card. The card accredits your electrotechnical qualifications and experience.

Awareness Training

Before you decide to pursue a career as an electrician, it’s important that you understand what the job can involve and know that it is the career path you want to take. During your training to become an electrician, you may want to take an awareness level course to build on your practical knowledge. Awareness courses are also useful if you want to learn more about an industry.

Looking for a Course?

Our Electrical Safety Training online course is designed to give you an understanding of the main risks and necessary controls for the safe use of electricity at work. If you will be working with portable appliances, you may also benefit from High Speed Training’s Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) course.

Alongside electrical safety and PAT awareness training, you may find general health and safety training to be useful. We offer a range of online training courses that may be suitable for an electrician to improve their knowledge and skills alongside their practical training. Courses include: 

• Health and Safety Training for Employees
• Working at Height
• Lone Working
• Working in Confined Spaces
• PUWER Training
• Lock Out/Tag Out
• Ladder Safety
• Manual Handling 
• Workplace First Aid

What Skills Do You Need to be an Electrician?

Before pursuing this career, you should consider whether you will be a good fit for a career which can involve manual, demanding work and long hours. You need to have a range of skills to be successful as an electrician, including hard skills which are specific to the job role and gained through training, and soft skills which are relevant to various industries.

Hard Skills for Electricians

You need to have or be working to develop the following technical skills to be an electrician:

• Ability to use, maintain and repair electrical equipment, machinery and tools.
• Knowledge of engineering science, technology, design, building and construction. 
• Specialist knowledge of your area of expertise. For example, understanding of specific equipment maintenance. 
• Strong maths skills.
• Ability to work well with your hands.
• Good levels of physical fitness.
• Ability to complete basic computer-based tasks and use software packages.

You will develop many of these skills during practical training. However, for some, you may find it useful to take additional training to supplement this. For example, depending on the type of electrician you are training as, you may find Working at Height or PUWER Training awareness courses beneficial.

Soft Skills for Electricians

Alongside your technical capabilities, you also need to have certain soft skills to be a successful electrician. Examples of soft skills that make a good electrician include:

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to be thorough.
• Strong initiative. 
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Active listening.
• Confident working well independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptability to changes requested by clients or required by circumstances.
• Good time management.

Want to Learn More?

High Speed Training’s comprehensive catalogue of articles can help you to understand and develop your soft skills to become an effective electrician. You can learn about communicating effectively in What is Effective Communication in Construction? which is tailored to those working in the construction industry but will be useful for electricians in all sectors. Our How to Improve Active Listening in Communication article explains the benefits of listening with focused intent which can result in more effective interactions with colleagues and clients. You may also want to improve your time management skills with our One Week Time Management Plan: Three Famous Techniques article.

How to Get a Career as an Electrician

There are various routes that you can take to get a career as an electrician, including the options covered previously on apprenticeships, college courses and other qualifications. The route you take will depend on your circumstances and what will be best for you. 

If you are a school leaver and have no or limited work experience, you may want to start with taking a relevant course at a college or other training provider. In some circumstances, you may be able to get a job as an electrician’s mate, trainee or assistant without much prior experience. You will need to have GCSEs, including English and Maths, and be able to prove solid practical skills. If you take this route, your employer may then support you with training to become a fully qualified electrician.

If you are looking to change careers, you could retrain as an electrician if you have previously worked in a similar industry and have experience and relevant qualifications. For example, if you were employed as an engineer. If you have relevant experience, you may be accepted for an electrician role offered by an employer. The level you are able to enter the profession at will depend on your experience and background.

If you already work as an electrician and have done so for at least five years but don’t hold a Level 3 electrician qualification, you may be able to get your skills and experience formally recognised to the industry Level 3 benchmark through the Experienced Worker Assessment.

There are many opportunities for progression as an electrician or to use the transferable skills gained for a different job in the sector. You could become a site or project manager, or may choose to specialise in a particular area, such as training as an electrical designer. You may want to set up your own business or become self-employed as a subcontractor or as a tutor.
If you would like to work in the construction and trades industry and want to find out more about the other careers available, have a look at this guide to Careers in the Construction Industry.

Electricians are in high demand in the UK, making it a good time to consider this as a career to pursue. To meet this demand, there is a range of support available to help you understand which route is best for you to take to qualify as an electrician and the different specialisms you can follow. If you have the skills required, you can develop a fulfilling and flexible career as an electrician.

Further Resources:

• Electrical Safety Guidance for Working on Construction Sites
• Electrical Safety Quiz
• Electrical Safety Symbols & Signs – What Do They Mean?
• What is Asbestos?

The post How to Become an Electrician appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

It’s important to recognise that leadership differs from management in many ways. The main difference is that leadership is about motivating and encouraging employees, while management is about ensuring tasks are completed as intended.

Whether you are a leader, manager or employee, it’s useful to understand the different types of leadership and how these can shape and change an organisation. This article explains six common leadership styles and the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as which leadership style is considered the most effective.

What are the Different Styles of Leadership?

There are many different styles of leadership and various theories, with some overlap between these. Leaders frequently adopt a range of leadership styles and an effective leader will understand how to adapt their style depending on the situation. However, they will often have one particular leadership style that they use most of the time. 

We will be covering six common types of leadership here, though there are numerous others:

• Coaching Leadership
• Transformational Leadership
• Servant Leadership
• Democratic Leadership
• Authoritative Leadership
• Autocratic Leadership

Coaching Leadership

Coaching leadership focuses on the needs of the team by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of individual members and the overall team. This provides individuals with direction to work to their strengths and develop themselves in weaker areas. Coaching leaders are committed to getting the best from each individual in their team through clear direction and support. The leader works with individuals to help them to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to understand how they can improve.

The leader must support their team with their development and provide each member with constructive feedback to improve performance. They should encourage the team to consider solutions to problems they encounter by asking prompting questions, rather than the leader making all the decisions. In doing so, team members feel included and listened to and will develop their ability to find solutions themselves.

Advantages of coaching leadership include:

• Objectives are clear and team members understand what is expected of them.
• Team members enjoy working as part of a group towards a shared outcome. 
• Effective communication and collaboration is encouraged.
• Weaknesses are addressed and individuals are supported to improve.
• Team members feel trusted and empowered, resulting in them being motivated and productive.
• Organisations develop talent, creating a skilled workforce.

Disadvantages of coaching leadership include:

• It can be time consuming to successfully implement because it includes one-on-one time with all team members.
• The leader must have the necessary skills and experience. They must be an effective communicator to ensure they deliver feedback in an appropriate way so that team members feel encouraged to improve, rather than criticised and unmotivated.
• Some teams may not want to work together in this way or want this type of leader. Individuals may resist attempts at coaching leadership and be uncooperative which can cause problems for the wider team.

Want to Learn More?

Our Coaching and Mentoring online training course is designed to give you the practical tools and techniques needed to get started with successful coaching and mentoring. We also offer a range of articles on the topic, including How to Develop Coaching and Mentoring Skills and Coaching vs. Mentoring: What’s the Difference?

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Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership is characterised by leaders who take control and influence others through emphasising change and transformation within people and organisations. They engage others by recognising their needs, motivating them to succeed and developing a relationship of trust and participation. This type of leadership involves strong communication to encourage team members to feel invested in a shared vision. As with coaching leadership, there is a focus on people, with each individual’s potential recognised and leaders working with them to achieve this.

Advantages of transformational leadership include:

• The organisation innovates and changes for the better. People are guided by the leader to adapt to change and the challenges that may come with it.
• Team members feel motivated and have a sense of purpose. They understand and believe in a clear vision established by the leader and the part they play in achieving it.
• Individuals are supported to develop and grow professionally, increasing their skills and capabilities.
• Relationships within teams and across organisations are strong due to the trust placed in the leader.
• As a result, performance and productivity often improves.

Disadvantages of transformational leadership include:

• Individuals may experience burnout and feel overworked due to the perceived pressure to perform. If a leader is highly committed to an organisation, team members may feel as though they need to display the same level of commitment by working unreasonable hours.
• Individuals may feel under appreciated if they aren’t motivated or the leader fails to recognise their achievements.
• Some team members may require more structure and support than being led by example.
• Unless the leader provides clarity on the tasks that need to be completed, team members may be confused about responsibilities. This can result in a decrease in productivity.
• Team members may not raise concerns. As transformational leadership involves promoting a shared mindset, issues or different approaches may not be recognised or raised. Individuals may not feel comfortable with raising concerns if these could be interpreted as going against the shared mindset.
• For the leader, maintaining a high level of enthusiasm and engagement can become time-consuming and emotionally draining. 

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Servant Leadership

This type of leadership originates from the idea that leaders serve their team. Instead of exercising all power themselves, the servant leader shares this power with others, putting their needs first and supporting them to develop and perform well. The growth and well-being of the team is at the forefront of decisions.

Successful servant leaders must have the ability to listen, empathise and be self-aware. Servant leaders lead by example and are willing to carry out any task that needs doing in order to help their team. They strive to include all team members in decisions, ensuring that everyone feels heard, and make decisions that benefit those involved.

Advantages of servant leadership include:

• Team members are encouraged to be creative and empowered to share their ideas, resulting in more effective processes and greater investment in the organisation.
• It creates strong working relationships within teams and a productive working environment.
• Teams are inspired by the example set by the leader and feel motivated to do their best.
• Communication is effective. Leaders take the time to listen to their team and take action with this in consideration.
• When combined, these advantages establish a people-oriented culture which results in a decrease in employee turnover.

Disadvantages of servant leadership include:

• As the main focus is on ensuring team members are happy and included, leaders may be less demanding which could result in targets not being achieved.
• Some individuals may need a leader who holds them to account in order to work most effectively.
• The leader may be perceived as weak and lacking authority, particularly by those who are used to a more traditional style of leadership.
• For the leader, the role can be time-consuming and require a lot of effort to succeed in.
• Decisions and progress may be slow due to the required input of many people.
• In larger teams or organisations, it’s difficult to have frequent, effective direct contact with every team member.

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Democratic Leadership

Democratic leadership is where team members play a participative role in decision-making. The leader makes or approves the final decision, but everyone is encouraged to participate by contributing their opinions during discussions. All team members have the opportunity to share their input, knowing they play an important role in the decision-making process.

As well as overseeing the final decision, the leader must direct and guide the team to ensure that they don’t dedicate time to planning decisions that aren’t feasible and stray from the objective. Leaders should facilitate these conversations and support the team to reach a joint decision.

Advantages of democratic leadership include:

• Individuals are empowered to contribute to the decision-making process and feel engaged. This can increase their job satisfaction.
• Employees have confidence in themselves and their capabilities and aren’t afraid to share their ideas.
• More suggestions are put forward which leads to greater innovation and creativity.
• Teams learn to listen to one another and respect their one another’s valuable input. This creates mutual respect and fosters more effective teamwork.
• Productivity increases when individuals are motivated and involved.

Disadvantages of democratic leadership include:

• Involving more people in decision-making can slow the process down and cause delays.
• If there are differing options within a team, it can be challenging to reach a consensus that everyone is happy with.
• Some members of the group may not have the knowledge required to contribute to decision-making discussions.
• It can be difficult to maintain a clear focus if many different ideas are put forward for discussion. This can lead to confusion unless the leader is able to steer the team in the right direction.
• Leaders have a lot of responsibility which can result in them feeling overwhelmed.
• Team members may become frustrated if a decision is made which they believe isn’t the best option or they don’t feel as though their ideas are given enough consideration.
• Employees may expect to be involved in all decisions. This could lead to conflict if they don’t understand why they aren’t included in some decision-making processes.

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Authoritative Leadership

Authoritative leadership is a hands-on style which involves the leader establishing targets and processes and overseeing them to completion. Instead of simply giving orders, they explain their thinking and manage expectations. If successful, an authoritative leader makes quick decisions that deliver effective results.

This type of leader is seen as a mentor who guides and inspires team members and encourages them to follow them to successfully achieve common goals. By getting to know each team member well, the leader can provide them with tailored guidance and support to motivate them to succeed.

Advantages of authoritative leadership include:

• Fewer mistakes are made because the processes and rules are clearly defined by the leader.
• Clear processes and structure improves productivity.
• Leaders can look ahead and present an actionable vision.
• Employees feel motivated to succeed and perform well as a result.
• Difficult decisions can be made quickly without the input of the whole team.
• Team members feel supported and recognised by the leader.
• It’s an effective leadership style if an organisation is undergoing significant change or uncertainty.

Disadvantages of authoritative leadership include:

• There is a risk of leaders micromanaging their team which can cause individuals to feel as though they aren’t trusted or fearful of doing something wrong.
• Leaders may become overbearing, causing teams to disengage with their work and lose enthusiasm for the vision. 
• Extreme pressure may be put on the leader if they have to always be seen as leading by example.
• Failures in projects or processes are the responsibility of the leader who must accept accountability.

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Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian, follows a top-down approach to decision-making processes. The leader makes decisions based on their thoughts and ideas, with limited involvement from others in the organisation. It is expected that team members will follow instructions given to them by the autocratic leader and there is limited room for discussion. Power is held by the leader and isn’t distributed in any way to the team members.

This type of leadership is used less frequently in organisations today, though it may be suitable in some situations. For example, if a critical decision needs to be made immediately.

Advantages of autocratic leadership include:

• Team members are given clear instructions and understand how to complete tasks.
• Results are delivered on time and to a high standard. 
• Work environments are highly structured with everyone knowing what is expected of them and others.
• For team members, pressure can be relieved in stressful situations.
• The leader provides clear direction to the organisation.

Disadvantages of autocratic leadership include:

• Team members are discouraged from sharing their ideas and lack a voice in decisions.
• Morale can be low across the team and wider organisation. Some may be fearful about speaking out about poor leadership practices.
• Creativity and innovation are suppressed. Individuals can feel as though they aren’t valued or able to grow professionally. New perspectives and ideas which could hugely benefit the business aren’t shared.
• The leader may be under immense pressure as they feel responsible for everything.
• There may be tension and conflict in the workplace. 
• Morale can be low. If team members don’t feel satisfied at work, they may disengage and underperform, or seek employment elsewhere.

What is the Best Leadership Style?

Research by Kurt Lewin and his team in 1939 established three core leadership styles – autocratic (authoritarian), democratic (participative) and delegative (laissez-faire). Lewin’s study identified democratic leadership as typically the most effective leadership style. Democratic leaders encourage input from team members, while giving guidance and having the final say in decisions. This empowers and encourages team members to contribute creative ideas and play a key part in processes, often resulting in individuals with higher job satisfaction.

Today, most theorists argue that it’s important to recognise that there isn’t one leadership style that works the best in all organisations and situations. Instead, a strong leader will know how to adapt their leadership style accordingly and incorporate different skills to ensure the best outcome for the team and task. This is called ‘situational leadership’. Situational leaders are able to identify and meet individual needs, adapt between different leadership styles successfully, gain their teams’ trust, analyse problems and guide towards a solution and know how to support individuals with feedback.

However, in some environments, a certain type of leadership style will likely be more successful than others. If you work as a teacher in a school, you may find that transformational leadership style is the most well-received. Using this style, you can encourage and inspire your students to achieve their full potential. While, for army conflicts, an autocratic leader may be the most appropriate type to relieve pressure in stressful situations.

To find out which leadership style you should adopt, you need to consider what you want to achieve and the organisational circumstances in which you operate within. You should also consider your personality and how you currently lead teams. With this in mind, you could determine which leadership style you currently use and what you want to change and improve on. As there are numerous leadership styles and none are superior, you can experiment and see which delivers the best results for you, your team and your organisation.

Recognising which leadership style is right for you will enable you to develop your skills further and become the most effective leader possible. You must understand which style is appropriate and actively seek out constructive feedback from those you lead to understand what works well and how you could improve. As well as providing successes for the organisation, effective leaders develop and improve their teams to achieve their potential too.

Further Resources:

• Leadership & Management Training Online Course
• Leadership and Management Quiz
• 10 Development Areas for Managers

The post 6 Types of Leadership: Which Leadership Style is Right For Me? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will discuss the key elements of Working Together to Safeguard Children, covering some changes that came into effect in December 2023. 

What is Working Together to Safeguard Children (WTSC)?

Working Together to Safeguard Children (WTSC) provides statutory guidance for settings where work and activities relate to children. The guidance is issued by law, meaning time must be taken to understand and follow it. It is particularly relevant for settings where interactions with children are frequent, such as education and childcare providers (including the likes of sports and church groups), social services and local authorities. WTSC sits amongst other guidance and legislation, which you can read more about in our article here.

First introduced in 1999, Working Together to Safeguard Children has received various updates. Perhaps the most notable one was in 2006 as a result of the public inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie. Victoria was transported to the UK by her Great Aunt, and following her death, it was discovered that Victoria had reached out to various agencies seeking help for the abuse she was suffering. The guidance was redrafted to address the mistakes which Victoria’s situation had highlighted.

Since then, it has been updated every few years. Each time, an overall aim is to strengthen how different agencies and organisations work together to achieve the best safeguarding arrangements for children. 

WTSC recognises that safeguarding is most effective when everyone involved works together collaboratively. The guidance highlights the importance of multi-agency working and outlines the value of involving the whole family in the process, including the child. Additionally, the guidance aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of those working with children in various settings so that everyone knows how to keep the children in their care safe. 

The guidance is for anyone who interacts with children as part of their role or for any organisation whose functions relate to children in any way. A full list of sectors that must follow the guidance and remain informed of any updates or changes can be found here.

Need a Course?

High Speed Training offers various Safeguarding Courses to help you implement WTSC guidance alongside other key parts of safeguarding. These include Designated Safeguarding Lead Training, Introduction to Safeguarding Children and Advanced Safeguarding Children. 

Working Together to Safeguard Children: Key Points

The most recent version of the guidance is split into chapters which cover the following topics:

Chapter One: A Shared Responsibility

This chapter, newly introduced for the 2023 update, outlines how safeguarding should feature a child-centred approach, with the whole family remaining well-informed and involved. It sets out principles for working with parents and carers to build strong and trusting relationships and looks at how agencies are expected to collaborate, including sharing information. It also identifies the need for a strengths-based approach to effect positive change.

Chapter Two: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements

In this chapter, the roles and responsibilities of those working with children are outlined in more detail, including leadership roles and accountability. It looks at roles within various agencies alongside those in education, voluntary organisations and sports clubs. The chapter also examines how effective multi-agency working can be achieved alongside multi-agency safeguarding arrangements (MASA).

Chapter Three: Providing Help, Support and Protection

This chapter is split into three sections:

• Section one: Early help. This section looks in particular at the role of education and childcare settings and examines how children in need of support can be identified.
• Section two: Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This section focuses on children in need or at risk, such as children with disabilities, children suffering abuse and young carers. The procedures for assessment, referral and providing support to meet the needs of the child and their families and achieve good outcomes are outlined in detail.
• Section three: Child Protection. In this section, the national multi-agency practice standards for child protection are set out. It covers the entire process of creating a child protection plan.

Chapter Four: Organisational Responsibilities

Here, the list of organisations that must conform to this statutory guidance is examined in detail, outlining their specific roles and responsibilities. It examines practice guidelines specific to each setting and clarifies the expectations for effective safeguarding and child protection. It also looks at how allegations against those in ‘positions of trust’ should be dealt with, including considering their future suitability to work with children should they be dismissed from their post. The role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is also outlined in relation to this.

Chapter Five: Learning From Serious Child Safeguarding Incidents

This chapter explains the responsibilities placed on local authorities to report safeguarding incidents. It includes guidance for Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panels, including the review process and subsequent reports. By reviewing serious safeguarding incidents, lessons can be learnt and future practice can be improved as a result.

Chapter Six: Child Death Reviews

The final chapter outlines the entire review process. It also examines the statutory requirements and responsibilities of child death review partners alongside the responsibilities of other organisations and agencies who have a role to play.

Recent Changes

The 2023 guidance update emphasises securing ‘positive, trusting and cooperative relationships’ with parents and carers. In all versions of WTSC, the importance of information sharing amongst agencies has been highlighted, and the most recent version recognises that improvements must be made to involve families more closely. It also explains the importance of considering the needs of the whole family. For example, families with English as an additional language (EAL) may require more specialist support to keep them involved and informed.

The new version of the guidance also outlines new roles within the local authority, the police and health services. It states that the head of each sector will be named the Lead Safeguarding Partner (LSP), and they must appoint a Delegated Safeguarding Partner (DSP).  It is expected that LSPs will form close relationships with representatives from the education sector, who should also be involved in any strategic decisions and planning.

The changes also include:

• Guidance on considering the wider context of a child’s situation when making social care assessments.
• New multi-agency practice standards to strengthen cooperation between services.
• An explanation regarding a need for local authorities to appoint lead practitioners with the capabilities to act upon referrals by completing assessments and coordinating services.
• An outline of the need for local authorities to appoint a Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) to improve collaboration between social care services and the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.
• Revised guidance on improving provision for disabled children and their families.
• Guidance on recognising and responding to risk of harm to children outside the home.

You can read more about the 2023 changes and access the full guidance here.

If your role involves working with children in any capacity, safeguarding must be at the forefront of your mind and following statutory guidance is essential. Confidence in your roles and responsibilities will allow you to carry out your duties effectively, ensuring the children in your care and their families feel safe and supported.

Further Resources:

• Safeguarding Checklist for Schools
• Keeping Children Safe in Education: Key Changes
• Safeguarding Courses

The post Working Together to Safeguard Children: Key Points and Changes appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we explain the importance of quality control in the food industry for ensuring the quality and safety of products. We also explain the difference between quality control and quality assurance within a food quality management system. Finally, we offer some examples of how you can implement quality control in your food manufacturing business.

What is Quality Control in the Food Industry?

Quality control is a process used in manufacturing industries, including the food industry, to ensure products consistently meet the necessary quality and regulatory standards to make them safe for consumers. A food product’s quality typically refers to its sensory attributes, including its appearance, taste, texture and aromas, as well as its nutritional content.

Quality control in the food industry involves testing and measuring food products throughout the production process. This is to ensure that they are meeting set specifications and do not deviate from these specifications. Specifications can relate to a product’s safety, nutritional value and sensory qualities. If products do deviate, this is considered a defect and would need to be corrected. The product may be removed or quarantined from production, before it can reach consumers. 

Once problems are identified in the production process, steps can then be taken to identify why they occurred. Corrective actions can then be implemented to prevent them from reoccurring.

In the food manufacturing industry, quality control identifies risks in food products relating to their quality and/or safety. Even one food safety incident has the potential to cause permanent harm to a manufacturer’s reputation. Having effective quality control procedures in place to reduce the risk of contamination and other safety hazards will protect consumers. This will increase their trust and loyalty and reduce the risk of legal consequences. 

Quality control is a reactive process, meaning it aims to correct defects that have already occurred. However, by identifying why defects occur, organisations can take proactive steps by implementing actions to prevent these problems from reoccurring. 

Looking for a Course?

Root cause analysis is a form of reactive quality control. It identifies the root causes of product quality and/or safety issues so that actions can be implemented to eliminate or manage them, preventing those problems from reoccurring. Our Root Cause Analysis course teaches you how to perform a number of root cause analysis techniques as part of an incident investigation in the food manufacturing industry.

It is important to have quality control checks at the end of a production process. These will determine if the finished product has any defects that would make it unsuitable for consumers. However, it is also possible, and indeed preferable, to pick up on quality problems earlier on in the process. 

Implementing quality control points throughout production allows manufacturers to identify non-conforming products more quickly. This reduces unnecessary costs from producing faulty products to completion. 

There are a number of essential components that make up quality control for a food manufacturer. These include: 

• Inspection – this involves examining raw materials, finished products and processes to identify any deviations from established quality standards. 
• Testing – this involves conducting tests and measurements to assess various elements of products to determine quality. 
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) – statistical techniques can be used to monitor production processes, ensuring they stay within expected quality standards. 
• Corrective action – after identifying defects, this involves implementing actions to manage or eliminate them, preventing their reoccurrence. 
• Documentation and records – it’s important to keep records of your inspections, testing and corrective actions as this can help during future investigations and shows due diligence.
• Training – employees must be trained to uphold the necessary quality standards. 
• Continuous improvement – an effective quality control process should result in continuous improvement within a business.

Quality Control vs Quality Assurance

While quality control is one part of a food quality management system, quality assurance is another. 

Quality control is a reactive quality management process that identifies and manages existing product defects. Quality assurance, on the other hand, is proactive. It involves implementing processes and equipment to prevent food products from becoming defective in the first place. 

It ensures that production procedures are decided, prior to manufacturing, that will ensure products meet their required quality standards. It involves reviewing production to ensure these procedures are followed and these standards are actually met. 

Quality control also ensure that a finished product complies with its label, according to specifications and regulatory requirements. For example, if a product’s label says that it is ‘sugar-free’, quality assurance would ensure that the product contains zero sugar or so little sugar that it is unlikely to affect the body. 

Food manufacturers should have both quality control and quality assurance processes in place, as part of a quality management system. This will best ensure that food quality standards are consistently met by ensuring that problems are prevented before they occur, or identified and managed to prevent them from reoccurring. 

What is the Importance of Quality Control in Manufacturing?

Quality control in the food industry helps to ensure that all products within a batch are consistent with one another and that their quality is consistently high. 

This is particularly important in the food manufacturing industry where food quality can affect its safety for consumption. If unsafe food – for example contaminated or falsely labelled food – is distributed to consumers, this could result in a public health incident. Take, for example, the horsemeat scandal, which threw the vulnerability of supply chains in the food industry into the headlines and the public eye. 

This could have significant legal, reputational and ultimately financial repercussions for an organisation and can result in a loss of consumer trust that would be difficult to regain. 

It is therefore essential that food manufacturers have quality control procedures in place throughout the production process to ensure food quality and/or safety problems are picked up before products are distributed to consumers. 

Having a robust quality control system in place as a food manufacturer can lead to improvements in the following areas: 

• Consumer safety – quality control allows for the identification of safety defects in food products, such as chemical, physical or microbial contamination, including allergens. Were these to be missed, this could harm public safety and have severe reputational and legal consequences for the manufacturer. 
• Consumer confidence – quality control ensures that the materials and processes used to create products are consistent. This helps to ensure that products in the same batch are consistent every time, regardless of who produces them. When a product is consistently safe and high-quality, this builds consumer trust, loyalty to the brand and positive word-of-mouth, ultimately boosting sales. 
• Compliance – having quality control measures in place ensures that products conform with regulatory requirements and food safety standards. This protects manufacturers from the legal consequences of providing unsafe food to consumers. 

When a finished product does not meet the specifications on its label, this is called food fraud. Committing food fraud is against the law. Quality control can prevent food fraud by ensuring that a product’s ingredients and processes match what is on its label. You can learn more about food fraud and the impact it can have on a food manufacturer in our article, What is Food Authenticity?

• Production costs – being able to catch food safety or quality issues during the production process reduces the time and money wanted on producing a defective product to completion. It also reduces the costs of product recalls and refunds from defective products as well as any costs resulting from legal action.
• Continuous improvement – by constantly monitoring the production process, implementing feedback and making changes to improve quality and safety wherever necessary, manufacturers can build a culture of continuous improvement. Creating more streamlined processes can result in increased productivity and efficiency. 
• Employee engagement – along with the culture of continuous improvement, taking pride in the quality and safety of your products can increase your employees’ pride in those products and their workplace. This can increase work ethic and morale. 

Examples of Quality Control in the Food Industry

As previously mentioned, quality control is a set of checks that should be implemented throughout the production process, from sourcing raw materials to the final check of the finished product. The more checks you do, the more likely you are to identify food safety and quality issues quickly. 

Some examples of areas where quality control procedures should be implemented during the food manufacturing process are listed below. 

Ingredient Specifications

The quality of ingredients used in a food product will determine the finished product’s overall quality. Ingredient specifications are written documents that provide information about a specific ingredient used in a product. They ensure that every ingredient provided by a supplier is high quality. 

Ingredient specifications should include: 

• The name of the ingredient. 
• The source of the ingredient. 
• A description of the product, including its physical and chemical composition.
• Delivery and storage requirements.
• Any restrictions on the use of the ingredient, including its shelf-life. 

If you’d like to find out more about how to create an ingredients list, you can read our article, here. 

Approved Supplier List

This is a list of suppliers who have been approved to provide ingredients or other raw materials to a food manufacturer. Approved suppliers generally offer high-quality materials that consistently meet regulatory requirements. Having an approved supplier list helps to ensure that the materials sourced for production are always high-quality, increasing the likelihood that the finished product will be, also. 

An approved supplier list should include: 

• The supplier’s name.
• The ingredient name. 
• The supplier’s contact details. 
• The ingredient code. 

To learn more about what it means to be a reputable food supplier, check out our article ‘How to Choose a Reputable Food Supplier’.

Incoming Goods Inspection

This involves inspecting raw materials after they arrive at the manufacturing site and comparing them against the ingredient specifications. This inspection involves testing various properties of the ingredient, including its appearance, pH level and more. 

If an ingredient does not meet the specifications, it should be quarantined and returned to the supplier. In this case, the supplier may need to be removed from the approved supplier list.

Product Formulation

Once the raw materials are approved, the product can be formulated. This involves establishing a set of production instructions and ingredients for manufacturing each product. These must then be monitored to ensure they are complied with. 

This should include: 

• Product name. 
• Ingredient list. 
• Ingredient percentage formula.
• Product weight. 
• Batch size. 
• Process time. 

Having these instructions in place helps to ensure that those involved in production always follow the same process. This should, in turn, produce the same product every time, ensuring consistently high quality. 

Manufacturing Procedures

These are instructions for exactly how to manufacture food products. They help to ensure foods are produced to a consistently high-standard, no matter who is producing them. 

These instructions should include: 

• How to transport and store ingredients and final products. 
• The environmental requirements for the facility, such as temperature. 
• The specific sequence for adding ingredients. 
• Techniques for combining ingredients. 
• Tool and equipment specifications and settings. 
• Details of each member of the production team and their role. 
• Quality control checks for the whole production process.

Label Specifications

Product labels allow consumers to make informed decisions about the food products they buy and consume. Food labels should accurately reflect what is inside the packaging, including ingredients, nutritional value, handling and storing instructions and allergen information. Quality control involves checking the finished product’s label to ensure that it accurately reflects the product within. 

You can find out more about the regulations concerning product labelling in Britain at our article, here. 

In-Process Records

In-process records are documents used to track the production process to identify and manage any safety and/or quality problems that could occur during it. This helps to ensure that the final product consistently meets its specifications. 

At any stage during the production process, where it is identified that a hazard could occur that impacts food safety and/or quality, controls must be implemented to manage or eliminate them. These are known as Critical Control Points (CCP). 

Identifying problems during the production process, rather than at the end, can mean less time is wasted producing a defective product to completion. Additionally, being able to identify when a problem occurred in the production process will make it easier to identify the root cause of that problem during a root cause analysis. This can then be managed or eliminated to prevent the problem from reoccurring. 

In-process records will vary depending on an organisation’s specific facilities, production processes, environment and equipment. 

There are a number of factors that must be documented as part of in-process records, including: 

• Batch size. 
• Processing time. 
• Incoming and outgoing product weight.
• Appearance of product.
• Product pH level. 
• Product moisture content. 
• Product temperature. 

Want to Learn More?

Internal auditing is a form of proactive quality control that will help to ensure that food quality and safety standards are being met and maintained throughout the production process. Our Introduction to Internal Auditing and Management Training course teaches food manufacturers how to identify areas that require internal audit and to implement effective auditing procedures.

Product Standards

These outline the accepted limits for a product, set by the manufacturer, on a number of sensory qualities, including weight, size, shape, colour, scent, texture and taste. They are a very specific description of what the final product should be like.

Recall Procedures

Food manufacturers must have a food recall procedure in place in the event of a serious product defect being identified after distribution. Should this happen, it is vital that consumers are protected from further harm. Even if this means a financial loss for the organisation, the reputational impact of a badly-handled public health situation is far more costly. 

To ensure that a food product recall can be effectively implemented when necessary, manufacturers must have detailed traceability records in place. This will allow you to quickly and correctly identify what products may be affected and need to be recalled during a food safety and/or quality incident, thereby limiting exposure to affected products and possible harm to consumers. 

Quality control is a critical process for ensuring food safety and quality. It is not just a single check over your finished product, but a series of checks performed throughout production, starting from the acquisition of ingredients and ending with assessing the final product. This continual process ensures that any safety or quality issues that arise are identified and managed as quickly as possible, ensuring the consistent safety and quality of your food products. 

Further Resources:

• Promoting a Food Safety Culture: Free Assessment Guide
• Food Supply Chain: Importance and Management Strategies

The post How to Improve Quality Control in the Food Industry appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will define what attachment disorder in adults is, explain the different types they may experience and outline the signs and symptoms of the disorder and how it can be treated.

What is Attachment Disorder in Adults?

The term attachment disorder refers to the emotional and behavioural issues that develop in children who have difficulty forming a secure bond with their primary caregiver, which is often their parents. This connection may not be formed for various reasons, including an absent caregiver, neglect or abuse. In some situations, the caregiver may not be able to physically be with their baby or child, such as if either one is unwell and has to stay in hospital for a sustained duration. This may result in the child not receiving the care and attention needed to form a close attachment with their parents or caregiver. For most people, the experience with their parents or other caregiver is their first example of a secure, loving and trusting relationship. If a child doesn’t have this experience, they may grow up with different expectations of what relationships are like and struggle to form and maintain healthy relationships as an adult.

Although attachment disorder can only be diagnosed in children, adults can experience attachment issues resulting from untreated or undiagnosed attachment disorders from their childhood. For example, someone with attachment disorder may, as an adult, feel as though they cannot trust a romantic partner and struggle to communicate their emotions in an effective way. This can result in them being unable to form meaningful relationships and may cause them to experience commitment problems.

Types of Attachment Disorders in Adults

Different types of attachment disorders may develop as a result of an individual not forming a strong attachment to their primary caregiver as a child. As mentioned, attachment disorders are not formally diagnosed in adults. However, if attachment disorder is left unresolved as a child, they may experience significant difficulties relating to this in adulthood.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a rare condition that can result from neglect or mistreatment during early childhood. It can persist in adulthood if the individual is not successfully treated for the condition in their early years.

Signs and symptoms of RAD in adults may include having difficulty with the following:

• Forming attachments with other people and maintaining relationships.
• Showing or accepting affection.
• Trusting others.
• Understanding how others are feeling.
• Controlling feelings of anger.

Someone with RAD may also experience feelings of low self-esteem, display impulsive or detached behaviours and have issues with control. They may be more at risk of developing a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder

Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) is a type of attachment disorder which tends to develop as a result of neglect or unsuitable care during the first two years of an individual’s life. A child may try to gain the attention of strangers and not display the usual fear associated with being introduced to new people. If left untreated, DSED can result in the individual struggling to create and maintain healthy long-term relationships with other people.

Signs and symptoms of DSED in adults may include:

• A limited understanding of social boundaries, such as excessive friendliness or touching strangers.
• Quickly placing trust in people they do not know well.
• Hyperactivity and becoming overly excited when meeting new people.
• Acting impulsively or showing a lack of inhibition.
• Displaying other behaviours that are not considered to be socially acceptable.

In some cases, RAD or DSED can result in someone developing an obsessive love disorder (OLD). This is an intense fixation with someone that can result in thoughts and behaviours that can be damaging to both people involved. Symptoms and behaviours may include extreme jealousy, controlling behaviour, possessiveness and an inability to accept rejection. Untreated, it can result in extremely serious behaviours such as abuse, stalking and violence. It’s worth noting that clinicians do not widely recognise obsessive love disorder, and there is discussion over whether it can be considered a mental health condition. However, attachment issues that aren’t resolved can manifest in various ways in someone’s emotions and behaviours, including those associated with OLD.

Signs and Symptoms of Attachment Disorder in Adults

Unresolved attachment disorder in childhood can lead to adults experiencing a range of symptoms and behaviours. These can vary depending on factors, including the reason for the attachment not forming as a child (for example, abuse), as well as individual differences. Although research into attachment disorder in adults is limited, there is strong evidence that certain family problems in early life can have a significant, lasting impact on an individual.

Some of the common signs and symptoms of attachment disorder in adults include:

• An inability to form and maintain healthy romantic relationships.
• Difficulty with responding to their emotions.
• Mood swings.
• An inability to trust people.
• Avoidance of intimacy.
• A feeling of low self-esteem.
• Withdrawal and avoidance of social events.
• Difficulty in certain social situations and interpreting social cues.
• Mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It’s important to recognise that attachment problems may make mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety worse rather than be a direct cause, though many mental conditions are linked.

An adult with attachment disorder will likely experience challenges with relationships. They may find it difficult to communicate effectively and voice their feelings to a romantic partner, resulting in feelings of paranoia, insecurity, jealousy and anxiety. If these feelings aren’t discussed and resolved healthily, the individual may express their feelings in an unproductive manner, such as through anger and accusations. Some people may become withdrawn and find commitment challenging, while others may feel that they need excessive attention and validation from their partner.

Someone with an attachment disorder may also find other relationships difficult, such as those with friends and family. If the individual experienced significant trauma as a child and continues to see those involved as an adult, these relationships can be strained and difficult. This will depend on the specific circumstances, but these interactions can cause stress and anxiety. Many of the signs and symptoms people experience can make it difficult to form and maintain any type of relationship. Someone may find it challenging to maintain strong friendships if they tend to withdraw from social situations or their mental health makes it difficult for them to function well.

Attachment disorder can affect all aspects of someone’s life, from their ability to work effectively to everyday interactions. It can be very difficult for someone to get the help they need, but if these problems aren’t addressed, the individual’s mental wellbeing can rapidly decline.

Want to Learn More?

At High Speed Training, we offer a range of Health and Social Care courses on topics including Advanced Safeguarding Adults and Communication Skills in Health and Social Care. Our courses are designed to support you whether you’re just starting in the industry or are experienced practitioners.

How to Treat Attachment Disorder in Adults

If an attachment disorder isn’t addressed and resolved during childhood, support can be sought in adulthood. Often, a form of therapy or counselling is an effective approach to managing attachment disorder and the behaviours and conditions that can result from it.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talking therapy, is a type of psychological treatment for mental and emotional problems. Working with a qualified therapist can help someone identify and understand their thought patterns and behaviours. Attachment-based therapy is a specific type which is intended for children, adolescents and adults who have an attachment disorder. For adults, it involves discussing their childhood and past experiences and identifying unresolved trauma impacting their lives. This can help them to understand why they feel or act a particular way, particularly when in romantic relationships. For example, they may find it difficult to trust their partner and receive and/or reciprocate affection.

By addressing these issues, an adult with attachment disorder can work with their therapist to overcome the impact of their early experiences. They may be able to change these aspects which are affecting them negatively by developing techniques and strategies that work for them, such as establishing clear boundaries with their parents.

Alongside therapy tailored to the individual, couple therapy can also be an effective way to treat attachment disorder in adults. Or, some people may find it beneficial for their partner to attend some of their personal therapy sessions. Most people with attachment disorder will benefit from focusing on themselves and considering why they think and behave the way they do independently before introducing their partner to later sessions once they feel comfortable in doing so. Involving a partner in these discussions can help them to understand why their partner behaves in certain ways. As a result, they will likely want to be more accommodating and encouraging of their partner’s circumstances and support them in developing positive thoughts and behaviours. Together with the therapist, couples can build on techniques to strengthen their relationship, supporting the individual with attachment problems to overcome these issues.

Another type of talking therapy that could be useful for someone with attachment disorder is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). CBT can be an effective tool to enable someone to understand and change how they think about their life and manage any unhealthy behaviours. Evidence shows it can be an effective treatment for mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. As attachment issues may worsen someone’s mental health, CBT can be used to help manage and treat both their attachment disorder and some conditions exacerbated by it. CBT involves a series of sessions with a therapist during which milestones may be set, and the individual may be required to complete tasks between the sessions.

Conversations about conditions and disorders can be difficult to broach. However, it is important that these topics are talked about and that other people understand what these experiences can be like for someone as best as possible. Our article here provides some conversation topics and tips on talking about mental health, which you may find useful.

Expand Your Knowledge

If you work in health and social care, you need to know how to communicate effectively in a range of situations and with different people, which may include adults with attachment disorder. Take a look at our Promoting Effective Communication article to learn more.

If someone you know or care for is experiencing difficulties that you think may result from attachment disorder as a child, medical advice should be sought, such as through a GP or a therapist. It’s important to remember that attachment disorder is only clinically recognised in children, and adults are unlikely to be given this diagnosis. However, if attachment disorder as a child isn’t treated, it can result in various difficulties in later life, predominantly with relationships and social interactions. Addressing this as an adult can result in an individual developing positive thought patterns and behaviours, enabling them to successfully form long-lasting, happy relationships.

Further Resources:

• Health and Social Care Courses
• Promoting Effective Communication in Health and Social Care
• How to Help Someone With Loneliness

The post Understanding Attachment Disorder in Adults appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we’ll explore what food authenticity is and the significant role it plays in the food industry. By understanding what constitutes authentic food, manufacturers can proactively safeguard their brands and maintain consumers’ trust. This, coupled with strategies to integrate and promote food authenticity in your workplace, will give you the tools you need to confidently navigate the market by ensuring your produce is safe and compliant.

What Does Food Authenticity Mean?

Food authenticity is a fundamental pillar in the food industry. It refers to the true nature of a food product and its compliance with its declared information. Food is considered ‘authentic’ when its composition accurately aligns with the information outlined on the label.

The concept of food authenticity isn’t new. However, recent attention has been drawn to it, fueled partly by events like the horsemeat scandal, which highlighted the urgency of ensuring that what’s on the label is inside the product. This has ignited a renewed focus on the authenticity of our food.

To learn more about the response to the horsemeat scandal and its impact on food authenticity, check out our article What Did We Learn from the Horsemeat Scandal and Should We Still Be Worried?

Ensuring food authenticity involves a strict verification process to verify that the food product or ingredient is genuine, meaning it is in line with its labelling and has not been altered from its original condition. Understanding this process is crucial for manufacturers to uphold the authenticity of their offerings in an industry where consumer trust is now more essential than ever.

Why is Food Authenticity Important?

Food authenticity has become a key element for both manufacturers and consumers over time, playing a pivotal role in upholding consumer trust and ensuring the integrity of products by reducing the risk of food fraud.

The Food Standards Agency defines food fraud as “when food is deliberately placed on the market for financial gain, with the intention of deceiving consumers or customers”. By aligning the product consumers receive with their expected purchase, consumers are assured that what’s on the label is precisely what’s inside the packaging. In this way, food authenticity protects against the risk of food fraud.

This assurance is fundamental for establishing and maintaining consumers’ confidence in products and their manufacturers, which is vital for staying ahead in the competitive food industry.

Crucially, food authenticity is linked with both food safety and quality. This trinity of authenticity, safety, and quality forms a framework that announces a manufacturer’s commitment to delivering products that both meet and exceed customer expectations.

The accountability of battling food fraud rests on organisations within the food industry and requires a strategic approach. If you suspect that a food fraud incident has occurred in your business, you must take steps to identify why it has happened and implement actions to prevent it from reoccurring. The most effective way to achieve this is by performing a root cause analysis investigation.

Performing a root cause analysis will help manage the immediate issue and implement future prevention measures. This cyclical process ensures that the commitment to food authenticity remains unwavering, fostering a culture of due diligence and responsibility within the food manufacturing industry.

Need a Course?

Our Root Cause Analysis course teaches you how to perform a root cause analysis investigation for food safety and quality incidents in your workplace. This will allow you to uncover the root causes of problems and implement lasting action plans to prevent them from reoccurring.

How to Ensure the Authenticity of Food

Ensuring the authenticity of food requires a multifaceted approach. Consumers are more conscious of food authenticity than ever, with many consumers going out of their way to stay informed about sourcing and production practices. It is becoming increasingly common for consumers to solely seek out reputable brands and authentic products.

For organisations looking to ensure the authenticity of their food, stay ahead in the market and build and maintain customer loyalty, it is important to:

• Implement robust testing protocols, conduct regular audits and utilise advanced analytical techniques, such as DNA testing, spectroscopy, and chromatography, which can authenticate ingredients and identify anomalies. 
• Collaborate with accredited laboratories and stay on top of evolving testing methodologies to ensure the authenticity verification process remains rigorous and up-to-date.
• Strive to achieve transparency. Advancements in technology, such as QR codes, offer consumers the ability to trace the journey of their food from farm to table.

These commitments safeguard against food fraud and demonstrate a proactive commitment to delivering genuine, quality products to consumers.

Food authenticity plays a pivotal role in preventing fraud and building trust. You should now be more aware of the significance of authenticity and important strategies like testing and transparency to ensure genuine food products.

Further Reading:

• Guidance on Food Additives Legislation for the UK and EU
• Vegan Food Production: Guidance on Manufacturing Practices
• Promoting a Food Safety Culture: Free Assessment Guide
• Root Cause Analysis Course

The post What is Food Authenticity? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

But with this rise in popularity also comes an increasingly pressing conversation around the safety risks involved in gaming online, particularly as almost a quarter of online gamers are under the age of 18. 

In this article, we will explain what online gaming is, explain some of the risks involved in internet gaming as well as the potential benefits for young people, and provide advice for parents or carers on how to keep children safe whilst playing online.

What is Online Gaming?

An online game is one which is partially or primarily played via the internet, and often offers online interactions with other players. These can be played on a variety of platforms such as a PC, games console (for example, Playstation, Xbox, Wii, Nintendo Switch) or mobile devices. 

Whilst there are countless options of online games available to play, some are particularly popular and are well-known amongst the wider public as well as within gaming communities. Examples of some of the most popular internet games include:

• Fortnite.
• Among Us.
• Rocket League.
• Roblox.
• Minecraft.
• The Sims.

The popularity of online games has been rising since its introduction in the 1990’s with the release of widespread internet access making online gaming possible. The industry has seen extraordinary expansion in the last 5 years however as many people took up online gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic to escape boredom and isolation during the lockdowns. 

What are the Risks of Online Gaming?

With online gaming becoming an increasingly popular pastime amongst children and young adults, it’s important for parents and educators to keep in mind that there are some undeniable risks associated with internet gaming that are important to consider. 

With the right guidance, however, children and their parents can be aware of these potential dangers and take the necessary steps to help avoid them. You can test your current knowledge of online safeguarding concerns with our Online Safety and Harms Quiz. 

A few of the main risks that you should be aware of, are:

Online game addiction

Whilst it’s common for many parents to think their child spends too much time in the online world, online gaming can become a legitimate addiction. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now added ‘gaming’ into their list of ‘disorders due to addictive behaviours’ along with other addictive substances and activities such as drugs, alcohol and gambling.

As with any hobby, those that enjoy online gaming will do so enthusiastically and therefore may desire to play for longer or more frequently to prolong this sense of joy. But how can you know whether this surpasses a ‘normal’ or healthy level? 

Some key signs that a child’s gaming may have become more than just a hobby are:

• They feel regularly exhausted and disengaged.
• They are unable to concentrate.
• They prioritise internet gaming over essential activities such as eating or sleeping.
• They only socialise online and find ‘in-person’ interactions difficult and unenjoyable.
• They no longer participate in other interests.

These behaviours can lead a child or young person to develop negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, or depression. 

Cyber Bullying

Cyberbullying within online gaming refers to the act of intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening other players within the gaming community.

For many young people, the anonymity of online gaming and its separation from the ‘real world’ is comforting. It can be liberating to escape into a space where your circumstances and past are largely unknown. 

This anonymity can also be dangerous, however. As with any form of cyberbullying, some players can take advantage of being able to hide behind a screen to bully others online with the sense that they’re unable to be caught if their identity is unknown. 

Although cyberbullying can take many forms, there are some actions which are specific to online gaming. These include “whispering”, where cyber bullies target players with harmful messages either directly or in public chat channels.  Sadly, there are even some people, known as “griefers”, who play online games specifically with the intent to ruin the experience for other people, finding satisfaction in harassing other players and using aspects of the game in unintended ways to prevent their progress. To learn more about cyberbullying and how to prevent or report it, read our article on the dangers of cyberbullying.

Malware and Viruses

Often, online games contain paid content, or you have to purchase the game itself to play. For children, it can be tempting to avoid these costs by trying to find free or cheaper versions of the game online via cheat codes or third-party sellers. This is risky, however, as these unofficial versions are often infected with viruses or malware that, when downloaded, can damage your computer or impact your privacy. Once malware is on your device, hackers are able to steal your personal information.

Additionally, hackers may access your personal information through phishing scams. They may create fake login pages for games or send phishing emails that can trick a child into entering their account information, which the hackers can then use to gain access to your account and personal details. 

In-game purchases

An increasingly common way for developers to fund their game creations is to offer the base game for free, but then charge for in-game content such as characters or items. These are designed to make players want to continue playing the game but requiring payments to enable them to do so. Whilst these charges may individually be small, they can quickly add up and a child may not be fully aware of the costs they’re accruing. Recent reports show that almost half of parents of children aged 12 to 15 who play online games are worried about the pressure on children to make in-game purchases. This has increased from just four in 10 the previous year.   

Talking to Strangers

Similarly to the risk of cyber-bullying, the social aspect of online gaming can put children at risk of forming damaging relationships online. Many games are designed to be played in teams or against other people and thus children can be playing and communicating with players from many different locations, ages, and backgrounds. Linked to online gaming, other platforms such as Discord or Reddit also provide the opportunity to find and speak to other players with similar interests. The anonymity behind an online presence, however, means that children could be at risk of grooming, online abuse, or forming relationships with people who could have ill intent. 

Want to Learn How to Keep Children Safe Online?

Our Online Safety and Harms course teaches you everything you need to know about the potential online risks and harms children face, how to recognise signs that might indicate online harm or abuse, and how to effectively address online safety.

Benefits of Online Gaming

Although the risks of internet gaming are important, they can be managed effectively to help ensure a child can enjoy their online play safely. In fact, if safety risks are controlled, there are many benefits of online gaming that can have a positive impact on children. 

Some of these many benefits are listed below.

Developing Brain Capacity and Thinking Skills

There are many online games which contain educational elements that can help support a child’s development and intellect. Some games, such as Times Table Rockstars, are even used within schools as a learning aid as they offer a more engaging form of teaching for younger children than traditional methods. 

Furthermore, online games can enhance a child’s memory, brain speed and concentration. Many internet games involve elements of problem solving and multitasking which help the brain process information quicker, improves attention to detail, and speeds up reaction times. 

Helping to Manage Emotions

A popular format for online games is to move through different levels, which increase in difficulty, or win awards by completing specific tasks and overcoming obstacles. Often, players may find themselves having to repeat the same action multiple times, learning from past mistakes in order to succeed. The process of playing games with this format teaches children how to deal with setbacks and persevere towards a goal despite disappointment, helping to develop beneficial personal skills such as resilience and patience.

Building Social Skills

When playing with trusted peers, multiplayer online games are greatly effective at helping children to nurture relationships and build vital social skills. Online gaming creates shared moments and victories, as well as building teamwork skills, that can help bring existing friendships closer and build new social bonds. Furthermore, the shared collaborative experience of gaming enables children to learn from each other and build personal confidence. 

Promoting Healthy Competition

For children who may not be interested in other typical avenues of competition, such as sports, online gaming can be an equally successful way to gain the benefits of healthy competition amongst children. As online games are often played against each other, they offer a great way to allow children to express competitive urges. 

Competition is healthy for children, providing a powerful motivator to work hard and succeed, as well as directing children to admire skill, talent and expertise. 

Sparking Creativity

Online games are highly visual, often involving imaginary worlds which are based in fantasy or science fiction. For children, immersing themselves in these imaginary environments can help to spark their own creativity and inspire ideas of their own. Many internet games also promote creativity directly as they often involve designing your own characters or environments. For example, the popular online game The Sims is entirely based around building your own characters and houses and choosing how they develop through ‘life’, including choosing careers, relationships, and hobbies for your Sims. 

There are many different reasons why children enjoy online gaming, but the most common reasons are that it provides an opportunity to stay engaged with their friends, eases boredom, allows an escape from the uncertainty of the real world, and provides feelings of success or achievement when they ‘win’ or level-up within a game. For all of these reasons, online gaming can provide a fun, sociable, and mentally stimulating outlet for children and young people.

Online Gaming Advice for Parents

For many parents, online gaming is something that they haven’t experienced or grown up with themself, and thus there are understandably many suspicions and concerns surrounding children spending time playing online. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by the NSPCC revealed that two in five parents say they are worried about digital devices or technology negatively affecting their children’s physical or mental health.

To ease these concerns, there are many steps that parents can take to monitor their child’s internet gaming activity and ensure they’re able to play safely online. 

Take an Active Interest

The more parents know about the online games that their child likes to play, the better equipped they are to identify potential risks and set boundaries. What’s more, as with any other hobby, taking an active interest in your child’s favourite online games will help them to feel more close and connected to you and help deepen your understanding of them. Our Parent’s Guide to Social Media helps you to learn more about the online spaces that are most popular amongst children and young people today. 

Find Out Who They Play With Online

As a parent, you wouldn’t let your child meet up and socialise in-person with people without knowing who they are, and the same should apply with online socialisation. Ask your child who they play games with online and talk about what kind of topics are discussed and what language is used during play. Furthermore, it’s important to ensure your child knows how to report abusive or anti-social behaviour online so that they’re equipped to protect themself against cyber-bullying in gaming and don’t fall victim to inappropriate behaviour from other players. 

Use Aeroplane Mode to Avoid Accidental Purchases

Some online games, once downloaded, can be played without being connected to the internet. For younger children, it may be a good idea to turn on ‘aeroplane mode’ on the device on which the game will be played. This prevents children from being able to make any purchases online or connect to online chat functions, which enables them to experience the joy of gaming without being vulnerable to some of the principal risks associated with playing online. 

Use Ratings to Choose Age-Appropriate Games

All games come with a suggested age rating which gives parents a good idea of whether the content included in the game is suitable for the player. Most games will have a PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) rating, which will be displayed as one of the following:

• PEGI 3 – suitable for all ages.
• PEGI 7 – suitable for young children.
• PEGI 12 – suitable for children 12 and over.
• PEG 16 – suitable for children 16 and over.
• PEGI 18 – Only suitable for adults.

Alternatively, if a game is purchased from the App Store or Google Play store, they will contain a similar form of rating stating which age the game is suitable to play from (for example, 9+, 12+ or 17+). 

These age ratings give parents a good guide as to which games they should or shouldn’t purchase for their child, as well as providing peace of mind that the content their child is consuming is safe and suitable. 

Agree Digital Boundaries

Studies have shown that video game addiction leads to changes in the brain that are similar to those that occur in substance addiction and gambling. Therefore, it’s important for parents to agree boundaries with their child around how long they’re allowed to play online for and who they’re able to play with. 

Having an open conversation about the risks of spending too much time online and reminding children that people can hide behind fake profiles and may not be who they say they are will help them to understand the reason behind having set boundaries. It may also increase their acceptance of these limitations. To learn more, read our article about how to explain internet safety to children.

Encourage Critical Thinking

One of the best ways to help protect your children from the risks of online gaming is to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to keep themselves safe. Teaching children how to protect themselves online, such as reminding them not to share any personal information and how to identify a potential scam, will enable parents to give their child more freedom to enjoy online gaming independently without having to constantly worry about the dangers. 

Online Gaming is becoming an increasingly popular pastime for children and young people, so it’s important for parents to have the knowledge needed to protect their child from the risks associated with playing online. Whilst internet gaming may leave children vulnerable to dangers such as online scams, cyber-bullying and addiction, these can be effectively managed with the right knowledge and input from parents. Whilst these risks can often create bias against online gaming, it’s important to remember that there are myriad of benefits associated with internet gaming too which can have vastly positive effects on children’s confidence, brain power and socialisation.

Further Resources:

• Online Safety and Harms Quiz
• Parents’ Guides to Social Media Apps
• How to Explain Internet Safety to a Child
• Online Safety & Harms Course

The post Internet Gaming Safety: Tips for Parents appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

• Answering Your Asbestos Awareness Questions
• How to Conduct an Asbestos Risk Assessment
• What to Do After Recent Exposure to Asbestos
• What is Gypsum in Construction?
• What is Asbestos Awareness Training & Who Needs it?
• Asbestos Awareness Course

The post Asbestos Quiz appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will define exactly what asbestos is and where you are likely to find it. We will also outline the different types of asbestos and how you might recognise it.

What Exactly is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was used in buildings and materials for many years to provide additional fire protection and insulation properties.

Materials made with asbestos are strong, incombustible, heat-resistant and sound-absorbent, making asbestos an attractive material for electrical and building insulation, among other uses.

In 1999, the UK banned asbestos due to an increased incidence of lung-related diseases in those working with the substance. However, any building or material manufactured or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos. Therefore, you have an increased risk of encountering it when working on pre-2000 properties.

Are you aware of the dangers that asbestos poses? Check out our Asbestos Awareness Quiz to test your knowledge. 

Where is Asbestos Found?

As asbestos was used to provide additional fire protection and insulation properties, it could be found in a number of different places.

For example, in a house, factory or office built before 2000, asbestos could be found in:

• Roof tiles.
• Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB).
• Water tanks.
• Pipe lagging.
• Ceiling tiles.
• Tile adhesive.
• Vinyl floor tiles.
• Fire breaks in ceiling voids.
• Cement guttering or pipes. 

You’ll be in danger of encountering asbestos at work if you carry out refurbishments, repairs or maintenance trades. Examples of people who are commonly at risk include:

• Builders.
• Carpenters and joiners.
• Roofing contractors.
• Heating and ventilation engineers.
• Plumbers and gas fitters.
• Electricians.

However, it is important to remember that asbestos doesn’t just affect those who work with it. If disturbed, asbestos can affect anyone in the immediate area. Fibres can also be carried on clothing, which may then impact the worker’s family and friends.

Why is Asbestos Bad?

Asbestos is a fibrous material, meaning that it is made up of fibres that are incredibly small – approximately ten times smaller than the width of a human hair.

If asbestos or ACMs are disturbed, these fibres are released into the air. If inhaled, the fibres can get trapped in the lungs, potentially causing scarring and inflammation. This affects breathing and leads to serious health problems, such as:

• Asbestos-related lung cancer. This malignant tumour of the lungs’ air passages can cause an obstruction that looks similar to lung cancer caused by smoking.
• Asbestosis and fibrosis. Scarring of the lung tissue leads to breathing difficulties and can cause further complications, including heart failure.
• Mesothelioma. A cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside the ribs (the pleura), or of the abdominal wall. It is fatal at the time of diagnosis. 
• Pleural plaques. These affect the pleura adjacent to the ribs, with around 20% to 60% of people exposed to asbestos developing pleural plaques.

Asbestos fibres can also cause health problems for other parts of the body. For example, asbestos warts and corns can form both on the skin and around major organs.

To learn more about asbestos exposure, have a look at our article: What are the Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?

Friability

The risk of asbestos fibres being released and causing ill health depends on the friability of the ACM. This means how easily the material can crumble and release fibres. The greater the friability, the greater the risks of health problems.

ACMs that are more likely to be damaged and release inhalable asbestos fibres are known as friable. On the other hand, ACMs that are more resistant to damage and are therefore less likely to release harmful fibres are known as non-friable.

Friability is caused by two main factors:

• The type of materials used along with the asbestos in the ACM.
• The type of asbestos in the ACM.

For example, asbestos cement sheets or gutters contain a low percentage of asbestos and, therefore, pose less of a risk. Conversely, sprayed asbestos insulation is often almost entirely made up of asbestos and deteriorates over time, either through mechanical or weather damage. Therefore, the risks from these materials can be much higher.

You can find more information on the differences between friable and non-friable asbestos in our article, here. 

Need a Course?

Our Asbestos Awareness (Category A) training course is designed for anyone whose job role may expose them to asbestos. It explains in detail what asbestos is, where it may be encountered and what to do if you discover it.

What are the Different Types of Asbestos?

The term asbestos refers to six unique minerals belonging to two mineral families, serpentine and amphibole. All forms of asbestos are highly toxic and exposure can lead to the development of many terminal diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The three main types of asbestos that you may come across whilst carrying out building work are:

• Chrysotile (white asbestos). Chrysotile is the most commonly used type of asbestos and is often contaminated with trace amounts of tremolite. Chrysotile fibres are usually fine in texture, possessing high flexibility and good heat-resistant properties, making it ideal for use in cement, brake pads/linings and roofing materials.
• Amosite (brown asbestos). Mined mostly in Africa, amosite is a particularly strong and heat-resistant type of asbestos that was commonly used in cement sheets, plumbing insulation and electrical insulation. Though all types of asbestos are toxic, amosite asbestos exposure has a comparatively higher cancer risk.
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos). Crocidolite has very thin fibres and, if inhaled, are easily lodged in the lungs. Its thin fibres and brittle nature make crocidolite one of the most harmful forms of asbestos, as it easily breaks down and leads to asbestos exposure.

While the main forms of asbestos are often called white, blue or brown, in the majority of cases, the asbestos cannot be distinguished by colour. In all cases, accredited testing will be required to ensure that the type of asbestos is correctly identified. 

You can find more information about the different colours of asbestos in our article, here.

How to Recognise Asbestos

As we’ve already discussed, the different forms of asbestos are made up from two types of fibres: serpentine and amphibole.

Amphibole fibres is the term used for the group of asbestos types that include amosite and crocidolite. They also include a further three types of asbestos that are less commonly found: tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Amphiboles have needle-like crystals and are usually dark in colour. 

Chrysotile is made up of serpentine fibres, which are curly and in sheets of crystals.

It’s essential to know that you will not be able to identify the presence of asbestos by sight alone. As we’ve established, the ‘colours’ are not a reliable way of identifying the different types of asbestos which, in itself, can appear in many shapes and forms. 

The only way to know for certain whether asbestos is present and which type it is, is to have a sample analysed by a specialist laboratory. Find out more here: How to Test For Asbestos. 

However, you must never handle or try to remove asbestos yourself. If you encounter what you suspect to be asbestos, you must not touch it. Instead, you should keep it isolated and seek specialist advice. If it is asbestos, then only professionals who are specifically trained to manage it should handle and remove it. Our article, ‘Can You Remove Asbestos Yourself?’ goes into more detail on this topic. 

As part of any health and safety management process, there should be emergency procedures in place to deal with the discovery or accidental disturbance of asbestos. Everyone who is at risk of potential exposure should understand the specific, immediate actions that need to be taken should this event occur. Check out our article for more information on what to do if you’re exposed to asbestos, here. 

We hope you’ve found this article on asbestos informative and helpful. If you have any further questions about the topics discussed in this article, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at High Speed Training. You can contact our friendly team on 0333 006 7000 or email support@highspeedtraining.co.uk.

Further Resources

• Asbestos Awareness Course (Category A)
• Answering Your Asbestos Awareness Questions
• What Are The Three Types of Asbestos Training?

The post What is Asbestos? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will outline the impact of asbestos exposure and how you might spot the symptoms. We will also provide you with guidance on what to do if you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos and how the risks of exposure can be managed.

What is Asbestos Exposure?

If asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed, the tiny asbestos fibres can be released into the air. These can then be breathed in, getting trapped in the lungs and potentially causing scarring and inflammation. This affects breathing and leads to serious health problems.

Effects of Asbestos Exposure

Some asbestos-related diseases include:

Asbestos-related lung cancer. This malignant tumour of the lungs’ air passages can cause an obstruction that looks similar to lung cancer caused by smoking.

Asbestosis and fibrosis. Scarring of the lung tissue leads to breathing difficulties and can cause further complications, including heart failure.

Mesothelioma. A cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside the ribs (the pleura), or of the abdominal wall.

Pleural plaques. These affect the pleura adjacent to the ribs, with around 20% to 60% of people exposed to asbestos developing pleural plaques.

Asbestos warts and corns. These can form both on the skin and around major organs.

Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure

Not all asbestos-related diseases or conditions cause symptoms. A lack of symptoms is not an indication of good health. If you believe you could have been exposed to asbestos, either recently or in the past, you must speak with your GP.

However, as the lungs are the most likely organ to be affected by the inhalation of asbestos fibres, and this presents a risk of developing cancer, you should always seek medical advice if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain.
• Breathlessness.
• Weakness.
• Weight loss.
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Abdominal pain.
• Malaise.

This is not an exhaustive list but these symptoms are commonly associated with an underlying health issue and should, therefore, always be addressed. 

How Long After Asbestos Exposure Before Symptoms Occur?

There is no safe level of exposure when it comes to asbestos, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, such as:

• The friability (how easily the materials crumble) of the ACMs.
• The amount of fibres released into the air.
• The duration of exposure.
• The degree of exposure.

There is no hard and fast rule on how long after exposure you are likely to develop symptoms, either. As we have mentioned, not all asbestos-related conditions present with symptoms and each health concern can have a variable latency period. For example, it can be anywhere between 15 to 60 years from initial exposure before mesothelioma becomes apparent, at which stage it is a fatal diagnosis. Whereas, asbestos-related lung cancer or fibrosis are often detected within 20 to 30 years of exposure. 

The ill health effects of exposure to asbestos fibres can also be worsened by smoking, with a 2013 study showing that non-smokers who are exposed to asbestos over an extended period are five times more likely to die from lung cancer than the general population.

Looking for a Course?

Our Asbestos Awareness Training provides you with the knowledge you need to help keep yourself and others safe from the risks of asbestos exposure. This is essential for anyone who could potentially be exposed to asbestos during their work.

What Should You Do After Recent Exposure to Asbestos?

As part of any health and safety management processes, there should be emergency procedures in place to deal with the discovery or accidental disturbance of asbestos. Everyone who is at risk of potential exposure should understand the specific, immediate actions that need to be taken should this event occur. 

Initial key steps to take are:

• Stop work immediately and put up warning signs.
• Keep everyone out of the area.
• Report the problem to the person in charge.
• Follow the left-hand column of the EM1 flowchart if the material does contain asbestos and follow all stated actions.

The HSE EM1 flowchart is a key guidance document provided by the HSE. You can access this here.

How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure

The primary way to ensure the risks of asbestos exposure are managed effectively, is to ensure that The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) are adhered to at all times. The regulations cover the key duties of those in control of places where asbestos may be present, including identifying and managing it and ensuring that others are aware of its presence.

Your personal responsibility to manage the risks will depend on your position. For example, under the regulations, employers and premises owners have additional responsibilities to employees. Employers are responsible for ensuring a risk assessment that addresses the controls for asbestos is undertaken, drawing up a written plan of work for any work which may disturb asbestos and an emergency plan outlining the correct actions to take in the event of discovery or accidental disturbance of asbestos. 

Regardless of your role, it is vital that you comply with the regulations, follow any risk assessments, plans and protocols in place, and work in line with any safety measures required, such as avoiding certain areas and using certain personal protective equipment (PPE) or respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when advised. 

You must also complete the appropriate training for your role and responsibilities. The different types of training includes:

• Asbestos Awareness Training (Category A).
• Non-Licensed Asbestos Training (Category B).
• Licensed Asbestos Work (Category C).

To find out more on the most appropriate category of training for you, take a look at our article on the Three Types of Asbestos Training.

It is essential that everyone, particularly those most likely to work with or around asbestos, are aware of the dangers it can pose to health. By understanding how to manage the risk of exposure and how to act in the event of discovery or accidental disturbance of this dangerous material, you will be better able to protect yourself and those around you from harm.

Further Resources:

• Asbestos Awareness Course (Category A)
• What is Asbestos Awareness Training & Who Needs it?
• What is an Asbestos Management Plan?

The post What to Do if Exposed to Asbestos appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.