It’s vital that every type of workplace has at least one suitably stocked first aid kit on site. This will ensure that if one of your employees falls ill or becomes injured at work, they can receive the appropriate first aid, using the correct equipment, as soon as possible – giving them the best chance of recovery. 

In this article, we will outline what should be included in every basic workplace first aid kit and consider additional contents that may be required for workplaces with higher-level hazards. We have also provided a free, editable workplace first aid kit checklist that you can use to ensure that your first aid kit is always suitably stocked.

What Should Be In a First Aid Kit at Work?

First aid arrangements are a legal requirement for all businesses, and this includes having adequate first aid equipment available at all times. 

As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring that your employees can receive immediate first aid treatment, should they become ill or injured at work. Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, you must ensure that your workplace first aid provisions are adequate and appropriate for your particular workplace, based on its circumstances. 

Your legal responsibility only extends to providing adequate and appropriate first aid provisions for your employees. However, the HSE strongly recommends that you also extend a duty of care to anyone else who enters your premises, including members of the public. This means that you should also take them into consideration when performing your needs assessment and deciding the first aid provisions required for your workplace. 

At a minimum for all workplaces, you have a duty to provide your workplace with: 

• A sufficiently-stocked basic first aid kit in your workplace, as well as any additional contents needed, specific to your workplace. You must also provide adequate first aid facilities and trained staff, where a need for this is identified. 
• An appointed person whose responsibility it is to ensure that the workplace first aid kit(s) is always suitably stocked and to call the emergency services when necessary.
• Information on the details of your workplace first aid arrangements for all employees. 

First Aid Needs Assessment

To determine whether your workplace needs additional first aid kit contents, along with first aid facilities and trained staff required, you must perform a first aid needs assessment of your workplace.

A first aid needs assessment is an assessment performed by an appropriately trained and competent person, ideally the employer. During a needs assessment, you will consider the circumstances of your workplace, your workforce and any risks and hazards present. From your findings, you can then identify the first aid provisions required in your workplace. 

Looking to Learn More?

If you’d like to learn more about first aid needs assessments, including how to complete one for your workplace, you can read our article: How to Complete a First Aid Needs Assessment, which contains a free template.

When deciding your first aid needs, including your first aid kit contents, you need to consider the nature of work being carried out in your workplace, and the associated risk. Performing a risk assessment will help to identify potential hazards and the level of risk associated with them. Every business should carry out a regular risk assessment. 

Your risk assessment will help you to identify the hazards and level of risk in your workplace, based on the number of hazards. In a low-risk workplace (such as an office or shop), there are only a small number of hazards present that could cause illness or injury. 

For this reason, a basic first aid kit is sometimes found to be a suitable provision for low-level hazard workplaces, along with an appointed person and first-aid information provided to employees. 

Higher-level hazard workplaces (such as factories or construction sites) will generally require a greater level of first aid provisions than low-level hazard workplaces, such as specialised first aid equipment, as there are more hazards and risks that could lead to injury or illness.

It’s important to keep in mind that just because your workplace may be considered to have low-level hazards, incidents leading to injury or illness can still occur there, so performing a first aid needs assessment is vital. To learn more about the incidents that can occur in low-level hazard workplaces, check out our article on common office injuries, here. 

How Many First Aid Kits Do I Need?

The number of employees in your workplace must also be taken into consideration when deciding necessary first aid provisions. Generally speaking, larger workforces will require more first aid kits and equipment. 

The British Standard BS 8599 provides guidance on the recommended size and number of workplace first aid kits you should have, as well as their contents, based on the nature of work being carried out and size of the workforce. 

For low-level hazard workplaces: 

• If there are less than 25 employees: provide one small kit. 
• If there are 25 – 100 employees: provide one medium-sized kit. 
• If there are more than 100 employees: provide one large kit per every 100 employees. 

For higher-level hazard workplaces:  

• If there are less than 5 employees: provide one small kit. 
• If there are 5-25 employees: provide one medium-sized kit. 
• If there are more than 25 employees: provide one large kit per every 25 employees. 

The number of first aid kits you have in your workplace should also depend on the size of your workplace, even if you only have a small number of employees. If your workplace is very large – for example consisting of several floors or sites – it’s best practice to provide a first aid kit for each of these areas. These kits should be easy to identify and access so that first aiders don’t need to waste precious time searching for them. 

If you’d like more specific guidance on the size and number of first aid kits you need in your workplace, take a look at our article, here. 

Note that you can buy pre-packed first aid kits that conform to the British Standard (BS) 8599. However, your kit doesn’t need to meet this standard by law. 

Additionally, if you have employees who work remotely or frequently travel for work, you must also ensure you meet their first aid needs requirements. This could mean providing them with a travel first aid kit or ensuring that they make or buy their own. Schools are required to have travel first aid kits for any excursions from the main site. 

Every workplace is different and will have different needs. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your first aid kit contains what you’ve identified in your first aid needs assessment.

Basic First Aid Kit Items

While all workplaces are required to have a suitably stocked first aid kit, there is no mandatory list of items that must be included in one. Fortunately, your first aid needs assessment will help you to identify the specific needs of your workplace. 

To help you put together your workplace first aid kit, we will go through a list of items that should be included in a basic first aid kit. This should only be used as a basis for your workplace first aid kit, with extra provisions being added based on the findings of your first aid needs assessment. 

First Aid Guidance Leaflet

In a higher-level hazard workplace, the person providing first aid in your workplace is most likely to be a trained first aider, meaning they have the skills and knowledge required to administer aid for a range of different injuries and illnesses. 

Including a leaflet on general first aid in your workplace first aid kit provides essential guidance and acts as a useful reminder for what each piece of equipment or materials can and should be used for when treating an ill or injured person. 

Looking for a Course?

Providing employees with theoretical first aid training, at a minimum, will help to ensure that they always know how to use the basic first aid equipment included in a first aid kit. Our Workplace First Aid course gives you the confidence to recognise and respond to a variety of illnesses and injuries, including emergency situations, quickly and correctly.

Additionally, if someone is providing first aid in an emergency situation and they aren’t sure what to do next, they should always consult the emergency services on 999 or 112. For non-emergencies, NHS 111 can be called for professional guidance.

Sterile Dressings

There are various types of wound dressing, appropriate for treating a range of injuries, from bleeding wounds to fractures. You should have a variety of wound dressings in your first aid kit, including, at a minimum:

• 20 individually wrapped, sterile plasters of assorted sizes, including hypoallergenic options: these are useful for small wounds such as abrasions or shallow cuts. 
• Individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings, 6 medium sized and 2 large sized: dressing pads attached to a roller bandage are best as these are easy to apply, making them effective for use in time-dependent, emergency situations.
• 2 sterile eye pads: these should be used to protect eye injuries from infection.

If you work with food, you should include blue plasters in your first aid kit, as these can be seen easily if they fall into the food. 

Bandages

Bandages can be used to secure wound dressings, keep pressure on wounds, manage swelling and support joint injuries. 

At a minimum, your workplace first aid kit should contain two individually wrapped triangular bandages. These can be used to make slings for injured limbs and, if sterile, as dressings for wounds and burns. 

Depending on your workplace circumstances, your kit may also need to include:

• Roller bandages: these come in four types; conforming, open-weave, support and self-adhesive.
• Tubular bandages: small versions of these can be used to secure dressings for injuries to fingers and toes, while larger, elasticated versions are used to support injured joints, for example the knees or elbows. 

You should also include at least 6 safety pins in your first aid kit, for securing the ends of bandages. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All first aid kits should contain at least three pairs of disposable gloves, preferably latex-free. Where possible, these should be worn when providing any form of first aid, but particularly when dressing wounds or handling bodily fluids or other waste materials. 

In higher-risk workplaces, your needs assessment may identify the need for additional first aid PPE, for example, pocket masks or plastic face shields for performing CPR with rescue breaths. As only trained first aiders should perform CPR with rescue breaths, in workplaces that do not require a trained first aider, this provision may not be deemed necessary. 

Disposable aprons are another form of PPE that can be included in a first aid kit to prevent the spread of infection through bodily fluid or other waste. 

It’s important to note that, when deciding whether to put on PPE before administering first aid, the severity of the casualty’s illness or injury must be taken into account, along with the availability of PPE. In a time-dependent, emergency situation, such as a case of severe bleeding or cardiac arrest, you do not have time to go looking for PPE if it isn’t close to hand and administering first aid at once must take priority. 

Remember, this is only a suggested list of first aid kit content and the contents of your particular workplace first aid kit should be determined by the findings of your first aid needs assessment. 

Additional First Aid Kit Contents

As previously discussed, the findings of your first aid needs assessment may reveal the need for additional first aid kit contents, depending on the nature of work, the workplace and workforce. If you have a higher-level hazard workplace, for example one where heavy machinery or chemicals are used, you will require additional contents to ensure your employees can be treated for a range of illnesses or injuries, if needed. 

Below, we have suggested some additional contents that may be beneficial in your workplace first aid kit. However, it’s important to remember that every workplace is different and so are the hazards within them. As an employer you are best informed to know what first aid kit provisions your workplace would benefit from. 

Depending on the circumstances of your workplace, your first aid kit may also need to include: 

• Scissors to cut bandages or dressings to size, to cut adhesive tape, or to cut through clothing to reach a wound. 
• Cleansing wipes to clean around a wound. 
• Gauze pads to pad a wound. 
• Adhesive tape to stick dressings to skin or stick down the ends of bandages.
• An aluminium blanket to keep a casualty warm if necessary, for example if the casualty has gone into shock.  
• Hand sanitisers and/or wipes to reduce the risk of spreading infection during and after administering first aid. 
• Ice packs and heating pads to treat soft tissue injuries, such as sports injuries.
• Burn gels and dressings are particularly important in workplaces with a high risk of burns, such as the hospitality industry. 
• Eye wash is required if a hazardous substance enters the eye, such as a chemical. If your workplace doesn’t have mains tap water, your kit should include at least one litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers. In some high-level hazard workplaces, where there is a substantial risk of this, such as in a laboratory, may have eye bath stations. 
• Tweezers can be used to remove splinters, tics, etc.

Workplace First Aid Kit Checklist

We have provided you with a free, downloadable and editable workplace first aid kit contents checklist that can be used in your workplace by your appointed person. They can use the first aid kit checklist to ensure that your workplace first aid kit is always suitably stocked in case an employee, or anyone else in that environment, becomes unwell or injured at work. 

We have included the basic first aid kit contents covered in this module in the checklist – however, it is editable so that you can add any additional equipment required for your particular workplace, as identified by your first aid needs assessment. 

If the nature of your workplace circumstances changes, you should perform a new needs assessment and, if it identifies any new first aid equipment needed in your workplace, you should add this to the checklist and your first aid kit. 

You can download the checklist using the button below:

Knowing how to perform first aid, through theoretical and practical training, can mean the difference between life or death for someone suffering a medical emergency. However, without the proper first aid equipment available close to hand, first aiders will struggle to administer this aid, and the casualty could deteriorate. It is therefore essential that you have a suitably stocked first aid kit in your workplace to keep your employees as safe as possible.

What to Read Next:

• Workplace First Aid Quiz 
• How Many First Aiders Do I Need In My Workplace? 
• First Aid Qualifications: The Difference Between FAW and EFAW
• How to Support Individuals After Giving First Aid Assistance
• What are the Responsibilities of a First Aider?

The post What Should Be In A First Aid Kit? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

It’s evident that we have a desire to look good and this is driving sales of cosmetic products and beauty services. However, if you work in the beauty industry – whether self-employed or as an employee – you’ll recognise that this industry comes with many products and equipment and therefore many hazards. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the identification of common hazards in beauty salons, what the rules and regulations are, as well as highlighting employee responsibilities and providing you with a free beauty salon risk assessment template.

What are the Common Hazards in a Beauty Salon? 

Like any other business, health and safety in a beauty salon environment must be a priority, especially because of the number of potentially hazardous chemicals and equipment involved in the job. Whether you work in a hairdressers, nail bar or cosmetics company, it’s essential that you’re aware of the hazards you might be faced with in order to keep yourself, your colleagues and your customers safe and to prevent accidents from occurring.

By definition, a ‘hazard’ is anything that could cause harm to someone and ‘risk’ is the severity of harm that may occur and the likelihood of that harm occurring. For example, cleaning chemicals are a common hazard in a beauty salon but with a low level of risk, as they are unlikely to cause serious harm when used correctly. On the other hand, sharp needles or razor blades are a hazard with a high level of risk, as they are much more likely to significantly hurt someone.

How to Identify Potential Hazards

Recognising potential hazards in your beauty salon is important for managing the risks, as identifying the hazards is the first step in a workplace risk assessment. Take a look at the examples below and try to determine which hazards are present in your particular salon environment.

The most common hazards in a beauty salon include:

• Chemicals – many types of chemicals are used in a beauty salon on a daily basis, such as cleaning chemicals, equipment sanitisers and beauty products (like dyes, chemical peels and acetone). If these aren’t used or stored correctly (in accordance with COSHH), however, then they can cause various health issues, such as respiratory and dermatological complications like occupational asthma and dermatitis.
• Needles and sharps – if you use sharp tools in your salon, such as syringes, needles for aesthetic injections, razors or scissors, then they pose a significant safety hazard if not handled and disposed of correctly. For example, an accidental skin puncture can expose a person to blood-borne viruses, such as HIV.
• Bacteria – unclean salons and unwashed equipment can readily encourage the spread of harmful biological agents (which may cause infection, allergy or toxicity) as a result of accidental contact with a substance that hasn’t been cleaned up properly. Unsanitised salons also contain germs that can cause disease or spread an infection, including common colds, flu and COVID-19, as well as those that are more serious.
• Slips, trips and falls – trailing wires, wet floors, spilled products and uneven surfaces can all encourage workplace slips, trips and falls. Whilst you may know to step over the yellow cable when coming down the stairs, will your clients see the hazard?
• Electrical equipment – poorly maintained equipment, overloading sockets or extension cables, using electrical equipment near water or using the wrong equipment for the job can all cause electrical burns, injuries or fires.
• Fire – faulty electrical equipment is the cause of many workplace fires but, in a beauty salon, it’s likely that you also work alongside many flammable chemicals, like solvents (acetone), and aerosols. You may also use candles or tealights, which can easily start a fire if knocked over or left unattended.
• Noise – working with noisy equipment can cause damage to your hearing over time, especially if you’re exposed to loud sounds or prolonged noise regularly. Even handheld equipment like hair dryers can be irritating to the ear if daily exposure is high.
• Untrained staff – accidents and injuries due to an ignorance of risks should never happen, as everyone in the salon should be fully trained in relevant health and safety measures. Untrained staff pose a hazard to everyone if they are unaware of the safety procedures to follow but particularly to clients, who may obtain a burn, injury or infection as a result of unqualified workers.

Want to Learn More?

We offer a range of online training courses that can help you develop the skills you need to be safe in your beauty salon. This includes industry-specific courses like COSHH and Needles and Sharps Training as well as comprehensive Health and Safety Training for Employees.

What are Beauty Salon Rules and Regulations?

Whilst it’s vitally important to understand how to identify potential hazards and risks in your beauty salon environment, you also need to be aware of what the law says to ensure you are adhering to all health and safety guidelines. 

There are many salon regulations for health and safety, but some of the main ones for you to understand are listed below.

General Health and Safety

The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 is the main health and safety legislation in the UK and requires all employers and business owners to ensure, as much as they possibly can, the health, safety and wellbeing of their staff members and anyone else who might enter their place of work, like your salon’s clients. As a beauty salon employee, this law requires you to follow all health and safety measures that your employer has put in place (like wearing protective gloves for specific tasks or only using chemicals for a certain amount of time).

Chemical Safety – COSHH

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) is perhaps the main legislation for beauty therapists, as it requires your salon to have controls in place that reduce or eliminate your exposure to harmful chemicals – many of which you’ll use on a daily basis. This law means you must handle chemical products safely, through adequate storage, reduced handling times, wearing protective clothing or using an entirely different, non-toxic product to remove the risk completely.

Chemical Labelling

The GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations (GB CLP) sets out the requirements for the labelling and packaging of chemical substances, which includes almost all of the chemicals and products used in your beauty salon. As a salon employee, you must follow the safety instructions on all chemical products: there are nine pictograms that can be used to quickly identify hazardous and dangerous substances which may be useful for you to know.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Under UK REACH (UK registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals), manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals must provide safety data sheets (SDS) with their products. Amongst other things, SDSs explain why the substance is hazardous, how it might affect people and how to handle and store it correctly. For example, whether you need to wear gloves or goggles when using the substance. If you have SDSs available to you in your salon, then ensure you’re familiar with the contents before using a hazardous substance.

Needles and Sharps

The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 require your salon to have controls in place to reduce the risks caused by sharp objects, like syringes, Botox needles or razor blades. This includes the use of ‘safe sharps’ where possible, preventing the recapping of needles and ensuring secure disposal containers, for example. You must also have a procedure in place for dealing with any accidental injuries caused by needles and sharps – a specific risk assessment can help you manage this process.

Fire and Electrical Safety

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales and the Fire Safety Regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland require all workplaces to take steps to reduce the risk of fire. This includes ensuring there’s an accessible means of escape, that the premises has working smoke-detection equipment and that there are arrangements in place for the quick evacuation of staff and clients. You can help support this law by regularly testing fire and smoke alarms, ensuring the salon’s emergency exits are kept clear at all times and abiding by any fire safety training given to you by your manager.

Employee Responsibility in a Beauty Salon Environment

Whilst it’s the employer’s overall responsibility to ensure health and safety in the workplace, all employees have a duty to take care of themselves and others, including other members of staff and customers or clients to the business.

As an employee in a beauty salon, it’s your responsibility to undertake any relevant training you’re given to ensure you’re acting safely at work. This may involve specific accreditations or certifications related to your particular job role (for example, a diploma in hairdressing, a beauty therapy qualification or a nail technician NVQ) as well as health and safety certificates. Not only do these qualifications show that you’re fully trained and competent in your particular role but also that you recognise health and safety is important, reassuring clients that you’re both skilled at what you’re doing and that you take their safety and wellbeing seriously.

Top Tip

If you’ve achieved a certificate at work, then why not display it in your workplace for customers to see? This will give them confidence in your abilities to care for them and keep them safe.

Furthermore, if an accident ever did occur in your salon, having an awareness of emergency first aid at work (EFAW) is highly beneficial for all members of staff. For a small beauty salon, it’s recommended that you have at least one person who is fully trained in first aid procedures.

Lastly, employees in a beauty salon also have a responsibility to care for the mental wellbeing of their customers, as well as their physical safety. For example, treating clients with dignity and respect when offering treatments that involve parts of the body, honouring clients’ differences according to the Equality Act 2010, providing clients with excellent customer service and communicating in a way that’s inclusive and respectful for all.

For more information, take a look our article: How to Promote Inclusive Communication in the Workplace.

Free Beauty Salon Risk Assessment

A beauty salon risk assessment is an examination of what in your workplace could potentially cause harm to staff, clients and visitors. Recognising how to carry out a risk assessment is an important aspect of maintaining health and safety in your salon, as it will help you to identify the hazards and then work to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm.

To carry out a beauty salon risk assessment, there are five key steps to follow:

1. Identify the hazards.

This means making a list of anything in your salon that could potentially harm someone, such as any of the common hazards in a beauty salon we looked at earlier (chemicals, needles, slips and trips, electrical equipment and noise, for example).

2. Decide who may be harmed and how.

Next, determine who is most likely to be harmed by each of your hazards and how; this could be yourself, your colleagues and/or your clients. For example, acetone is a hazardous chemical substance used in a nail salon that has the potential to harm both workers and clients if there is prolonged skin contact or it accidentally gets into the eyes or mouth.

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.

The third step is to look at each of the hazards and decide the level of risk they present – high, medium or low – then determine how these risks can be lowered with suitable safety precautions. Ideally, you would aim to eliminate the hazard completely but, if this isn’t possible, think about how you could reduce exposure or swap it for something else less risky.

For example, can you:

• Increase ventilation, use a dedicated enclosed area or introduce time limits when using certain chemicals.
• Wear face masks and gloves when handling substances.
• Increase the frequency of handwashing and premises cleaning.
• Use more warning signs around the salon.
• Introduce new safety equipment, like spill kits and sharps bins.

4. Record your findings and implement them.

Recording your risk assessment is a legal requirement in salons where five or more people are employed, but it is good practice for all businesses. Records should be able to show that your beauty salon has: carried out a sufficient and thorough assessment of the hazards; identified who might be affected and how; implemented reasonable precautions and lowered the risks as much as possible; and involved staff members by providing suitable safety training.

5. Review your assessment periodically and update it when necessary.

Your salon should regularly review its risk assessment records to check if anything needs updating. This usually happens if changes in the workplace have occurred which could result in new hazards, such as if there are new members of staff, new ways of working or new equipment.

Need to carry out your own salon risk assessment? Download your free beauty salon risk assessment template here:

Beauty Salon Risk Assessment Template

Whilst the beauty industry offers many job prospects and is clearly a booming industry, it’s crucial that you know how to recognise any potential safety hazards to ensure the smooth running of your business. Risks to the health and safety of salon staff and customers need to be managed on a daily basis, and it’s a thorough beauty salon risk assessment that will help you to ensure this.

Further Resources:

• Health and Safety Training Courses
• Nail Salon Hazards and Precautions for Workers
• A Hairdresser’s Guide to COSHH in the Salon
• How to Avoid Electrical Hazards at Work
• The COSHH Hazard Symbols & Their Meanings
• What is A COSHH Assessment and Does My Workplace Need One?
• A Guide to the Most Common Workplace Hazards
• How to Safely Store, Handle & Dispose of Corrosive Chemicals
• Risk Assessment Quiz

The post A Guide on Hazards in a Beauty Salon: Free Risk Assessment Template appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Because extreme hot weather is a relatively infrequent hazard, many employees and even employers may not know the best approach for staying cool at work and what the law states about working in hot weather. The good news is that there are legal requirements and guidance in place to help businesses address the issue of working in the heat.

This article will explain what the legal requirements are around working conditions, discuss the guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and provide some advice and tips for helping workers working in the heat. It will help answer common questions like what temperature is too hot to work in, the legal maximum working temperature, and how to complain about the temperature at work.

The topics covered in this article include the following:

• Can it Ever Be Too Hot to Work in the UK?
• Is There a Legal Maximum Working Temperature?
• How Can Employers Determine What Temperature is Too Hot to Work In?
• What Can Employers Do to Make Working in the Heat More Comfortable?
• What Are Some Tips for Working in the Heat for Employees?
• How to Complain About the Temperature at Work
• What About Working from Home in the Heat?

Use the above links to jump to that section of the article.

Can it Ever Be Too Hot to Work in the UK?

We’re fortunate that the UK rarely reaches temperatures that are too hot to work in. Over the years, however, global temperatures have been gradually on the rise, meaning heatwaves and hot summers are increasingly common. With this comes more difficult working conditions – particularly if the workplace doesn’t have air conditioning – which can lead to heat stress and fatigue. 

This means it’s more important than ever for employers to understand their legal duties surrounding working in hot weather. Similarly, it’s useful for employees to know what their legal rights are regarding what their employer should be doing for them. As a result, concerns can be raised confidently and they can follow the controls that are in place for them.

Is There a Legal Maximum Working Temperature?

It can be complicated to dictate the right temperature for a specific work area and for an individual, which means there is no legal minimum or maximum working temperature in the UK. As the HSE states, “Individual personal preference makes it difficult to specify a thermal environment which satisfies everyone.”

However, there is still a legal requirement on employers to manage the health and safety risks to employees, and this includes those that can be posed by a work environment, such as excessive heat.

Heat stress can make workers incredibly uncomfortable and put their health and safety at risk. At best, it can lead to manageable fatigue, but in many cases can result in major exhaustion and dehydration that impacts a person’s working ability, productivity, and health and safety. For example, difficulty concentrating in safety-critical roles could lead to a mistake that poses a serious risk.

Whatever the case may be, it is the employer’s legal duty – and in the business’s best interest – to maintain a comfortable temperature, so productivity and health and safety are maintained. This applies to both indoor and outdoor work.

Despite there being no legal working temperatures, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that working temperatures should provide reasonable comfort to workers and prevent risks.

They provide temperature ranges that are – as stated – not legal requirements, since it can depend on various factors. However, these give a good benchmark and starting point for employers to use for preventing heat stress. 

“The risk to the health of workers increases as conditions move further away from those generally accepted as comfortable. Risk of heat stress arises, for example, from working in high air temperatures […] For workplaces where the activity is mainly sedentary, for example offices, the temperature should normally be at least 16 °C. If work involves physical effort, it should be at least 13 °C (unless other laws require lower temperatures).”

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How Can Employers Determine What Temperature is Too Hot to Work In?

Ultimately, every employer must carry out a risk assessment to help them determine what temperature is suitable for their work environment, and to identify the necessary controls to achieve this. As mentioned, they should take into consideration the recommended temperatures and HSE guidance, but should also assess a range of other factors to fully inform their risk assessment. What is suitable for one work environment may not be for another.

Factors such as the ambient temperature, humidity, air flow, radiant heat, sun exposure, worker clothing, and movement should all be considered.

This will help the employer to determine what temperature in a working environment is reasonably comfortable, and what needs to be done to reach this comfort.

In terms of what needs doing, the HSE provides advice on actions that may arise from the risk assessment. The specific actions required for a business depends on the factors mentioned above, so it is down to them to identify which controls are right for their work activities and environment.

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What Can Employers Do to Make Working in the Heat More Comfortable?

Employers have a responsibility to make sure their staff’s working conditions are safe and as comfortable as possible. Fortunately, there are many measures that can be taken to manage working in hot weather.

Actions that employers may take following a risk assessment include:

Moving people’s working areas to cooler locations.

For example, they could move desks that are in direct sunlight away from that area, or, for outdoor working, move certain tasks into a shaded area where possible. The sun’s heating effects on indoor environments can also be addressed by orientating the building away from it (such as a temporary building on a construction site), or, where this is not possible, installing blinds or shutters on sun-facing windows.

Employers may also accommodate flexible working hours so people can work earlier or later when temperatures are not as intense and the sun has moved away from directly heating the working area. 

Introducing engineering controls for managing the thermal effect in a work environment.

For example, they may look at what is contributing to heat other than the weather and could be making it worse, to help reduce the overall ambient temperature. This could include moving machinery that emits heat to another area, for instance.

Installing and maintaining air conditioning units where possible.

This may not always be reasonably practicable however, so other measures, like those listed here, may need to be considered. Similarly, they may look at providing desk fans or temporary cooling units to improve air circulation and keep people cool at their desks.

Looking at dress codes and personal protective equipment (PPE).

For example, if office work usually means wearing a suit, employers could look at relaxing this rule in hot weather, allowing more informal wear such as no ties or no suit jackets to cope with the heat. For outdoor workers, they will need to think about whether PPE is necessary, such as hats, to protect them from the sun.

Providing refreshments and sufficient breaks.

By law, employees should have access to fresh drinking water. Likewise, employers should ensure that people can take rest periods and breaks from work. This will be particularly important for outdoor working, to ensure workers can have a break out of direct sunlight in a comfortable environment (such as an airconditioned breakroom).

Monitoring at-risk individuals.

Some people may be more susceptible to heat than others. For example: people with certain illnesses, health conditions, on certain medication, or who are pregnant. Extra precautions may need to be taken for them, such as enabling them to carry out less strenuous work when it’s warm.

Further advice on all of this can be found on the HSE website, and in the following guidance documents and pages: guidance for heat stress, workplace health, safety, and welfare, and outdoor working.

Need Health and Safety Training?

High Speed Training provide a range of online health and safety training courses, including Health and Safety Training for Managers and Health and Safety for Home Workers.

Our Health and Safety Training for Managers covers the topic of as work environment, so those in charge of health and safety know what needs to be done to create a healthy and safe work environment to look after employees.

Similarly, Health and Safety For Home Workers informs the learner about what employers should be doing to manage the health and safety of those who work at home, and teaches employees how to adhere to measures put in place for their health and safety.

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What Are Some Tips for Working in the Heat for Employees?

Employers must follow all the necessary legal requirements for managing working in hot weather, and will provide information, instruction, or training where required to employees about what controls they’ve put in place.

This should also include sharing advice and tips for working in the heat, which are supported by their control measures. It is then down to the employee to ensure they follow the advice and tips they’ve been given.

For example, tips for working in hot weather include:

• Working in a cooler area where possible. 
• Drinking plenty of water and/or cold drinks throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Taking frequent breaks, in a cooler area if possible, to regain concentration and rest.
• Keeping blinds, shutters, and curtains closed on sun-facing windows.
• Keeping windows closed during the day to minimise hot air circulating, and instead opening them in the early and late hours of the day when it’s cooler.
• Using desk or standing fans, which help the body cool itself down easier.
• Wearing light-coloured, loose clothing. Avoid dark colours and heavy fabrics, especially if working in direct sun, as dark colours absorb the heat whereas light colours reflect it.
• Using ice packs and cold flannels to help keep cool. For example, sitting with an ice pack against both feet. Feet have lots of pulse points, and so placing an ice pack there will enable a cool down effect across the body. A cold flannel on the back of the neck also works.

If employees are unable to follow these tips due to them not being facilitated at work, then they should raise their concerns with their manager or supervisor.

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How to Complain About the Temperature at Work

It can be difficult to know how to complain about the temperature at work. However, if employees feel that their employer isn’t doing enough to control the temperature at work, they absolutely can and should raise concerns about working in the heat.

They should speak with their manager or supervisor about this, explaining the effect that the temperature is having on their physical state and their work, including productivity and health and safety. The guidance throughout this article can help equip employees with knowledge about their rights regarding working in hot weather. 

Following raised concerns, the risk assessment should be revisited and further controls put in place to help manage the heat where necessary.

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What About Working from Home in the Heat?

For those working from home on a temporary or permanent basis, the lines may appear to be blurred between who is responsible for what. But it’s important to note that employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of all their employees, regardless of where they work.

This means they should make the necessary arrangements to help employees who work from home maintain a comfortable temperature.

Measures they may take include many of those described above, such as providing fans to help cool the employee’s working area and allowing flexible working, as well as providing guidance on how to stay cool. For example, ensuring staff know to keep curtains closed in sun-facing rooms, and encouraging them to take plenty of breaks to drink water and regain their concentration.

If employees working from home still struggle with heat after these considerations, further measures may need to be discussed as part of the risk assessment.

For example, they could assess whether there is a local office that is air-conditioned or generally cooler than their home where they can temporarily work.

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Working in the heat is never ideal, but fortunately there are measures that employers can take to mitigate the risks. There are no legal temperature requirements, but the law does require employers to ensure workers are comfortable and safe, so temperature is something that they must consider as part of their risk assessment.

Every business should therefore have measures in place for when the temperature rises to uncomfortable levels, to ensure people’s health and safety isn’t put at risk. Employees should follow the controls in place and any information and advice they receive to help manage working in hot weather. If the situation calls for it, they can raise their concerns to let their employer know that more needs to be done to help them work comfortably and safely. 

What to Read Next:

• Understanding DSE: Do You Know How to Set Up A Desk Ergonomically?
• PAT Testing for Home Workers
• Warehouse Safety Quiz
• Workplace Health & Safety Quiz
• Workplace Health and Safety Quiz for Employees
• Online Health and Safety Courses

The post Working in Hot Weather: Legal Requirements, Guidance, and Tips appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

This article provides general guidance for those working in health and social care, as well as those with loved ones in care. It contains an explanation as to what oral health care is and its importance. Finally, there is a free template of an oral health care plan provided.

What is Oral Health Care?

Oral health care refers to the way you look after your mouth and teeth in order to keep bacteria under control and maintain your overall health. This is especially important for people in care homes, as they are at a greater risk of oral health problems.

This is due to a number of reasons, including:

• Long-term conditions that make it harder to hold and use a toothbrush, or attend appointments for dental treatments.
• Certain medicines reducing the amount of saliva produced and leaving people with a dry mouth.
• People keeping their natural teeth for longer in life, creating a need for more complex dental care than those who have dentures.

Oral health is an important part of an individual’s quality of life and an essential component of their overall health and wellbeing. Poor oral health can cause pain which can prevent people from eating or drinking and consequently, can lead to malnutrition. Oral health can also affect a person’s ability to take medication and there is evidence that links poor oral health with aspiration pneumonia, particularly in residential care settings.

People who live in care often need extra support when it comes to their oral health care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend that service users are supported to clean their teeth and/or dentures daily. They also state that an oral health assessment should be completed during the admission process, which should then be recorded in the individual’s personal care plan.

If you work in health and social care, it is part of your duty of care to promote good oral health care and to support individuals to do so. This is covered in the care certificate and is an important area to familiarise yourself with.

Looking to learn more?

For more information on oral health in health and social care, take a look at our Care Certificate Training Course. Standard eight covers oral health considerations including how you can support individuals with their oral health care and the risks associated with poor oral health.

Oral health care involves toothbrushing which is important throughout life. The overall goal is to achieve and maintain good oral hygiene by:

• Cleaning all tooth surfaces and the gum line, thoroughly with a toothbrush twice a day and for two minutes.
• Using a fluoride-containing toothpaste, spitting out the excess after brushing.
• Flossing daily.
• Using mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
• Eating a healthy diet, limiting sugary food and drinks.
• Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn.
• Scheduling regular dental checks and cleanings.
• Avoiding tobacco use.

Importance of Oral Care in the Elderly

As mentioned, not practicing good oral hygiene puts you at a higher risk of developing serious oral conditions and diseases. Diseases include cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, bruxism-related conditions, cracked tooth syndrome and more.

Over half of older adults who live in care homes have tooth decay, compared to 40% of over 75s who do not live in care homes. Therefore, it is paramount that oral health hygiene is prioritised within care settings. Unfortunately, often this is not the case.

There is an urgent need to improve oral healthcare for older people, especially those living in care settings. A number of recommendations have been made by the Faculty of Dental Surgery; they are as follows:

• Key health professionals such as nursing staff, junior doctors, pharmacists and healthcare staff that have regular contact with service users should receive training in oral health.
• Social care providers should ensure staff receive appropriate training, ensure all services have an oral care policy and should include oral health in the service users’ personalised care plans.
• Advice for maintaining good oral health should be easily available for people in care settings, their families and their carers.
• Government, health services, local authorities, care providers, regulators and oral health professionals should work together to develop a strategy for improving access to dental services for those in care.
• Health and social care regulators should ensure that standards of oral health care are assessed during their inspections.
• All hospitals and care homes should have policies in place regarding oral health care.
• The government must regularly review dentistry needs as the demand for dental services will increase as the population grows and ages.

Despite the above recommendations, there is still a need for more information to fully uncover the extent of elderly oral health care and to understand the full scale of the issue. One company dedicated to improving oral health and wellbeing for all is the Oral Health Foundation, they are a charity that provide free impartial advice on all aspects of oral health directly to those who need it most.

Certain individuals may need more support than others when it comes to caring for their oral health. Below are examples of conditions and how they affect an individual’s ability to maintain good oral health:

Arthritis – pain and stiffness in people with arthritis can make brushing and flossing harder to do. Also, jaw pain can mean that sitting in a dental chair holding your mouth open during a dental appointment may not be an option. Furthermore, research has found that those with arthritis are almost eight times more likely to have periodontitis than those without. Other common oral issues in people with arthritis include mouth sores, dry mouth and gum disease.

Dementia – many people with dementia find it hard to follow an oral hygiene routine or cannot express that they have dental pain, meaning problems can go untreated. To support someone with dementia, sit with them while they brush their teeth and prompt them, give them clear, short instructions and replace their toothbrush every three months.

How to Promote an Individual’s Oral Health Care

If you work in health and social care, you have a duty to promote service users’ oral health care. Your employer should provide you with the training and knowledge needed. To check your understanding, you can ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I understand the importance of oral health and the potential effect on an individual’s general health, wellbeing and dignity?
• Do I understand the potential impact of untreated dental pain or mouth infection on the behaviour, and general health and wellbeing of people who cannot articulate their pain or distress?
• Do I know how and when to reassess oral health?
• Do I know how to deliver daily oral health care?
• Do I know when and how to report my concerns?
• Do I know how to respond to an individual’s changing needs and circumstances?
• Do I understand the importance of denture marking and how to arrange this for people, with their permission?

It is important that service users are provided with the correct oral health care. As part of person-centred care, all individuals should be encouraged and supported to practice good oral health care.

Oral Health Care Plan Template

In care settings, thorough assessments and support from skilled and knowledgeable staff can help prevent the pain, disturbed sleep and health problems that poor oral health can cause. In order to tackle the bigger problem, small changes and adjustments to a service user’s daily routine can make a huge difference.

To support service user’s daily mouth care, you can:

• Prompt or support them to brush their natural teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Prompt or support them with using toothpaste.
• Prompt or support them to clean their dentures.
• Use their choice of toothbrush and mouth care products.

Another important part of promoting good oral health in care homes is training staff to be able to recognise when to reassess a service user’s oral health. Completing regular assessments helps to easily monitor oral health and should be done, as standard, for every service user when they move into a care home and then recorded in their care plan.

To create an oral health plan, start by asking the service user questions such as:

• How do you usually manage your daily mouth care and what help would you like?
• What dental aids do you currently use? For example, manual or electric toothbrushes, mouthwash, floss.
• Do you have dentures, and if so, are they marked with your name? If not, would you like them to be marked?
• When did you last see a dentist, and who did you see?
• If you don’t have a dentist, would you like help to find one?

We have discussed the various ways in which oral health care can be promoted in care settings to improve service users’ overall health. Here we have provided a free template of an oral health care plan for you to use when assessing a service users’ oral health.

Free Oral Health Care Template

The template includes checks of: the lips, dental pain, natural teeth or dentures, gums and tissues, the tongue, the saliva and oral cleanliness. It also covers further steps that can be taken, should they apply.

It is recommended you print out this plan and fill it out for each service user and store it with their care plan. This template should be used as an assessment tool for identifying the need for further intervention from dental professionals, it is not sufficient to fill this out without taking further steps to care for an individual’s oral health.

Oral health care is crucial in health and social care settings to contribute to overall health and wellbeing. Regular oral health care, dental assessments and dental appointments are needed to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other associated conditions. Care providers should ensure individuals have their own oral health plan in place and staff should receive training to ensure they can support service users with their oral hygiene.

Further Resources:

• What is Person-Centred Care?
• Basic Life Support Training
• Care Home Risk Assessment: Free Template
• Activities for Care Homes: Free Planner and Ideas
• Introduction to Safeguarding Adults Training Course

The post How to Promote Oral Health Care in Care Homes appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will explain the responsibilities of duty holders regarding Legionella and health and safety, particularly in relation to the Approved Code of Practice L8.

What is ACOP L8?

Where water is used in a way which might result in a reasonable risk of exposure to Legionella, there are legal health and safety duties which must be met. The Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 gives advice and guidance on how to comply with your legal and regulatory responsibilities in relation to the control of Legionella.

These legal obligations are contained in:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974;
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002; and 
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

ACOP L8 sets out practical guidance on how to meet these legal requirements. You do not have to follow the ACOP L8 guidance and can comply in an alternative way. However, by following the ACOP L8 guidance, your actions will be sufficient to fulfil your legal obligations. 

What Guidance Does ACOP L8 Cover?

If you are a duty holder, employer or someone with responsibility for the control of premises e.g. a landlord, you have responsibilities to control and prevent the risk of exposure to Legionella. It is important to be aware of and follow the ACOP L8 guidance. This is both to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation in relation to the risk posed by Legionella and to demonstrate that compliance.

ACOP L8 helps duty holders to understand how to carry out a risk assessment and the key things to look for, as well as examples of control measures that can be implemented to mitigate those risks. Further information about carrying out a risk assessment and control measures is covered later in this article.

Additional technical guidance in relation to Legionella is available in the Health and Safety Executive’s Health and Safety Guidance publications and should be considered alongside ACOP L8:

• HSG274 which includes specific technical guidance on:
  • Part 1: Evaporative Cooling Systems
  • Part 2: Hot and Cold Water Systems
  • Part 3: Other Risk Systems; and
• HSG282, which has specific guidance on spa-pools.

Need Legionella Training?

Need training for Legionella and carrying out a risk assessment? High Speed Training provides an online Legionella and Legionnaires’ Awareness Training course, which is designed for duty holders and contains a module dedicated to carrying out a Legionella risk assessment.

Why is ACOP L8 Important?

ACOPs have a special legal status. You are not required by law to follow the guidance and can meet your statutory obligations in other ways. If, however, you are prosecuted for a breach of health and safety law, and it is shown that you failed to follow the relevant ACOP guidance, you will have to demonstrate that you complied in another way, or a court will find you at fault.

Although it doesn’t actually impose any legal obligations on duty holders, showing that you followed the guidance set out in the Approved Code of Practice provides protection in the event of prosecution under health and safety legislation in respect of the matters covered in the ACOP L8.

In order to comply with your legal duties, duty holders should:

• Identify and assess sources of risk.
• If appropriate, prepare a written scheme for preventing or controlling the risk.
• Implement, manage and monitor precautions.
• Keep records of the precautions.
• Appoint a competent person with sufficient authority and knowledge of the installation to help take the measures needed to comply with the law.

ACOP L8 guidance covers the risk assessment, the role of the responsible person, potential control measures and review of those measures, as well as the obligations on those responsible for the supply of water systems.

Do I Need to Complete an ACOP L8 Legionella Risk Assessment?

All purpose-built water systems will require a risk assessment to be carried out. It’s your responsibility as a duty holder to ensure a competent person carries out that risk assessment. This may be you as duty holder (if you are competent to do so), or another person from your organisation or a consultancy service. 

Not all systems will require complex control measures, but a risk assessment will establish what the risks are and what measures are required to manage those risks.

The purpose of the assessment is to identify potential areas of risk within a system and:

• Whether it is possible to avoid the risk of exposure to Legionella; or
• Where that is not reasonably practicable, identify what suitable precautions can be taken to reduce the risk.

The risk assessment demonstrates that you have considered the possible risks and how to prevent or control those risks.

ACOP L8 gives examples of controls which may be appropriate to help prevent the growth of legionella bacteria, including:

• Avoiding water temperatures between 20 °C and 45 °C (bacteria is most likely to grow at this temperature).
• Avoiding water stagnation, which may encourage the growth of biofilm.
• Avoiding materials that harbour bacteria or that provide a source of nutrients for the microbial growth.
• Controlling the release of water spray.
• Keeping the system and the water in the system clean.
• Using water treatment techniques.
• Taking action to ensure the correct and safe operation and maintenance of the water system.

Where there are five or more employees, a written record of the risk assessment must be recorded. However, it is good practice to keep a record, even if you are not required to do so.

The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and any control measures put in place should be monitored to assess their effectiveness. 

In particular, the risk assessment should be reviewed if there are any changes that could affect it. For example:

• New or altered processes or changes to the system.
• Changes to key personnel.
• New employees who need training.
• A reported case of legionellosis linked to the system.

Any employees who may be exposed to Legionella, or who are involved in work that may expose others to Legionella, should be given suitable and sufficient information and training.

More information on carrying out a risk assessment and training is available in other articles on the Hub.

What to Read Next:

• Legionella Control: Managing Water Systems
• Symptoms and Treatment of Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease
• How to Clean Stagnant Water: Guidance on Managing Legionella Bacteria
• Legionella and Legionnaires’ Awareness Training course

The post What is ACOP L8 and How Does it Apply to Legionella? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Adopting an effective cleaning method is crucial for ensuring you fully remove harmful microorganisms. The specific cleaning procedure and the substances involved may vary depending on what you’re cleaning, but there are generally six stages of cleaning that are important to completely disinfect contaminated surfaces. 

In this article, we’ll explain what these six stages of cleaning involve and how to carry them out when you clean. We’ll also cover the importance of cleaning procedures, as well as how to improve the effectiveness of your cleaning activities and improve your safety while doing so. Finally, we discuss the differences between cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting, which are often used interchangeably but do have some differences.

This article contains the following topics:

• Why are cleaning procedures important?
• What are the six stages of cleaning?
• How to improve effectiveness and safety while cleaning
• What is the difference between cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting?

Use the links above to jump to a certain section of the article.

Why are Cleaning Procedures Important?

Effective cleaning is crucial for protecting your and others’ health, as many types of microorganisms and contaminants can pose a serious risk to people’s wellbeing. In fact, keeping the workplace sufficiently clean is a legal requirement under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, Regulation 9.

One way of doing so is effective cleaning, particularly of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, railings, shared appliances and tools, light switches, etc.

Some examples of health risks that cleaning can prevent include:

• Common viruses, such as flu, and cold, in all types of workplaces.
• Food-borne viruses, such as E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, which can pose a risk in hospitality for example.
• Infections that can transfer via body fluids, such as HIV, for example in healthcare settings and those which involve puncturing skin like tattoo parlours.
• Food allergens, e.g. from food in a restaurant. Even tiny traces of an allergen can cause a reaction in those who are allergic.
• Non-food allergens, such as dusts, which can be present in all types of workplaces and could trigger a reaction in people who have a sensitivity.

By following an effective cleaning procedure, you can help to prevent these from harming people’s health and safety.

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What are the Six Stages of Cleaning?

Following an effective cleaning procedure is vital for preventing health and safety risks. It ensures that you fully remove microorganisms, that you do not inadvertently spread them, and that any additional risks are minimised.

Each of the six stages of cleaning help you to focus on a certain key aspect of effective cleaning, from preparing the surface for a thorough clean by removing debris, to destroying microorganisms, to removing any chemicals, so the surface is properly disinfected and ready for use. For example, if it will be used to prepare food.

The six stages of cleaning are:  

1. Pre-Clean

The first stage of cleaning is to remove loose debris and substances from the contaminated surface you’re cleaning. You can do this by wiping with a disposable towel, sweeping, or rinsing. The aim is to remove as much loose debris as possible to prepare the area for the next stage of cleaning.

2. Main Clean

The second stage of cleaning is to loosen any substances, dirt, grease, and debris that you were unable to remove during the pre-clean stage. This involves using hot water and a detergent. You may be able to wipe away the loosened substances right away with something suitable, such as a cloth or mop, or you may have to allow the disinfectant to do its work for a certain amount of contact time before doing so.

3. Rinse

The third stage of cleaning is to remove all the loosened substances, dirt, and debris as well as the detergent, that was present in the second stage. You can do so using clean, hot water with a cloth, mop, squeegee, etc.

4. Disinfection

The fourth stage of cleaning is to disinfect the surface, which will destroy bacteria and other microorganisms. For example, by using heat or a chemical disinfectant for an adequate contact time. Follow the instructions for any products or equipment you use.

5. Final Rinse

The fifth stage of cleaning is to remove any disinfectants from the previous stage using clean, hot water. This step may not always be carried out however, depending on the disinfectant and surface you’re cleaning. As stated in the previous stage, follow the manufacturer’s guidance and seek further advice if needed.

6. Drying

The sixth and final stage of cleaning is to dry the surface, and it’s recommended that you air dry where possible. You can use drying cloths if needed, but they should be single use if so, especially in a commercial setting. You must not air dry any drying cloths that are damp from use and reuse them, as bacteria could grow on the cloths and pose a contamination risk.

By this point, the surface will be fully cleaned and most, if not all, microorganisms will have been destroyed, depending on the substances you used.

Note: You should thoroughly clean any cloths and other reusable cleaning products that you use, including drying cloths after their single use. Wash them in soap and water after finishing and dry them either in a dryer or via air drying (this is suitable for clean, wet cloths, not ones that are damp from use).

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How to Improve Effectiveness and Safety While Cleaning

The six stages of cleaning are a useful process to follow for maximising how effectively you clean surfaces. However, there are some other factors you should consider to improve the effectiveness of your disinfection process, technique, and personal safety.

Some effectiveness and safety factors to consider include the following:

• Follow any cleaning schedules or risk assessments for cleaning, if cleaning at work. This ensures that you carry out cleaning in an organised and effective way, as well as address the key areas that have been identified in the risk assessment.
• Follow any training you have received, if cleaning at work. For example, you will likely receive some COSHH training, which will familiarise you with ways to minimise the risks posed by hazardous substances that you may use or create during cleaning.
• Use the right products for the cleaning activities you carry out. They should be able to kill the microorganisms that pose a risk in the premises, e.g. food-borne ones in a catering setting. They should also be suitable for the surfaces and environments where you’ll be using them, such as for the specific material of a kitchen countertop.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidance, including any recommended concentrations and dilutions of chemical substances. Likewise, you should store them safely and in accordance with instructions. This is important for minimising exposure and for ensuring that any incompatible substances are kept apart. Remember to never mix different chemicals together, as this can cause dangerous reactions.
• Follow the NHS guidance for effective cleaning. Their guidance is to always work from the cleanest area towards the dirtiest area (to minimise further contamination of the cleaner areas), from top to bottom rather than going between different areas, and covering all areas with an ‘S’ shaped pattern. Be careful to not go over the same area twice.
• Wear PPE, such as gloves and aprons. Gloves are important for protecting your hands from the risks posed by wet work and chemical products, such as contact dermatitis. It may also be useful to wear an apron, to prevent any potential chemical contamination that could penetrate your clothes and harm your skin, or that you could carry away on your personal clothing and that can continue to pose a risk.
• Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. This will minimise harmful substances in the air, e.g. the fumes that some chemicals could give off while in use, and which could cause health issues like occupational asthma.

Make sure to always wash your hands after cleaning, with an effective handwashing procedure, even if you were wearing gloves.

Need COSHH Training for Cleaning?

High Speed Training offers a dedicated COSHH Training For Cleaners provides those who carry out cleaning activities the information they need to understand the risks hazardous substances can pose and how these can be controlled.

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What is the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitising, and Disinfecting?

These three terms are often used interchangeably to refer to the process of cleaning a surface and removing harmful microorganisms. However, they do refer to slightly different things, and it’s useful for you to be aware of this if you actively carry out cleaning.

Knowing the difference between the three will help you ensure you’re adopting the right procedures and cleaning to the necessary standards.

What is cleaning?

Although cleaning is a suitable, general term to use for the entire task of making a surface free of debris and microorganisms, from a technical standpoint it actually only refers to one stage of the process.

Cleaning refers to removing visible contamination from the surface, such as spillages, dirt, debris, and other obvious contaminants. In the context of the six stages of cleaning as discussed earlier, this is step one and two.

Doing so makes the area more visibly clean and tidy, removes contaminated materials and substances, and prepares the surface for deeper cleaning if needed, so any chemical products can achieve sufficient contact with it.

To achieve a proper clean, one of the next stages are required, as cleaning on its own does not kill microorganisms on the surface.

What is sanitising?

Sanitisation refers to the process of reducing microorganisms on a surface to a safe level, as established by international health standards. It’s particularly important for surfaces that may come into contact with food, to prevent any ingestion risks.

While sanitisation will reduce the risk of infections from microorganisms and kill the majority of bacteria, it is not guaranteed to completely eliminate all microorganisms.

What is disinfection?

Disinfection is a step up from sanitisation, as it is designed to fully destroy all microorganisms and pathogens. There are varying levels of strength and effectiveness of disinfectants, which will be used for different settings depending on the level of risk. For example, a much higher-grade disinfectant will be used in hospitals compared to an office or restaurant.

It is up to the user to identify which level of disinfectant they need for the area in which they’re carrying out cleaning. For a workplace, this will usually be identified during a risk assessment and with consultation of specialists and the suppliers and manufacturers of cleaning products, where needed. 

Carrying out effective cleaning, whether at home or at work, is crucial for protecting people’s health and safety. A good way to do this is by following the six stages of cleaning, as outlined throughout this article, as well as following good practices to improve the effectiveness of your cleaning methods and your safety.

What to Read Next:

• COSHH Training For Cleaners
• How to Start Your Own Cleaning Business
• Risk Assessment for Cleaning: Free Template
• What is a Spill Kit? Contents Checklist
• What are High Touch Surfaces and How Should You Clean Them?

The post What are the Six Stages of Cleaning? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we’ll explain what surfaces are considered high touch and will list common examples, as well as discuss how to best clean and disinfect them, in line with UK Government and NHS advice.

What Are High Touch Surfaces?

High touch surfaces are those that people frequently touch with their hands, which could therefore become easily contaminated with microorganisms and picked up by others on their hands. For example, door handles, light switches, and shared equipment.

Infections primarily spread via respiratory systems and being in close contact with others, but another common way is via our hands. They touch so many things throughout the day and can easily carry microorganisms, which could then infect you via routes of entry (such as if you use your hands to eat without washing them first). 

UK Government guidance has emphasised the importance of disinfecting high touch areas to help prevent infections and viruses from spreading. This goes hand in hand with frequent and effective handwashing procedures.  

What are Some Examples of High Touch Surfaces?

Whether you work in an office, school, restaurant, shop, hospital, or other type of business, there are many common high touch surfaces that you should be aware of. If you’re responsible for cleaning, these are the surfaces that you should focus on and that will most likely be set out in your cleaning schedule.

Examples of high touch surfaces include:

• Those in communal spaces, like door handles, stair railings, windows, bannisters, light switches, lifts, chairs in reception areas, changing rooms and showers, and staff lunch rooms (including tables and chairs).
• Surfaces in bathroom facilities, including toilets, flush handles, toilet roll and dispensers, hand dryers, and sinks.
• Work surfaces and equipment, such as desks, keyboards, printers, mice, phones, monitors, and storage cabinets.
• Shared kitchen appliances, such as kettles, fridges, microwaves, and cupboards.
• Surfaces in shared vehicles, including door handles, steering wheels, seat belts, gear sticks, indicators, and other internal surfaces.
• Shared equipment and tools, such as touch screens, card machines, control panels, delivery crates and boxes, and water coolers.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it covers some of the most common high touch surfaces that many workplaces have. Depending on the type of premises there may also be others, including areas specific to the industry. For example, the frames and rails of hospital beds. The employer or another competent person will consider specific areas in the risk assessment.

Cleaning all of these surfaces frequently is vital. People could touch them several times a day, unknowingly contaminating them or picking up infections that others have spread.

How Should I Clean and Disinfect High Touch Surfaces?

To effectively clean and disinfect high touch surfaces, it’s important to look at the recommendations from the UK Government and the NHS, particularly regarding what substances and techniques to use.

General cleaning for high touch surfaces

The recommendations for general cleaning of surfaces are as follows:

• Businesses can use their preferred cleaning products, provided these substances are the right type for killing the microorganisms that pose a risk in the workplace. You should always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on using these, to ensure they work properly and you keep yourself and others safe.
• Periodic cleaning should be planned for high touch surfaces. Ideally, all high touch surfaces should be wiped down twice a day. Your workplace may require more frequent cleaning intervals than these depending on how often different people may come into contact with them, which will be determined in the risk assessment. For example, door handles, stair banisters, and lift buttons may need cleaning several times a day.
• Deep cleaning should also be planned and carried out. As a minimum, high touch surfaces should undergo deep cleaning at least once a day.

Need COSHH Training?

Our COSHH Training for Cleaners provides those who carry out cleaning activities the information they need to understand the risks hazardous substances can pose and how these can be controlled.

To make this cleaning effective, particularly deep cleaning, there are some techniques and steps you should follow. This includes the six stages of cleaning and the NHS’s recommended cleaning methods, which ensure all contaminants and microorganisms are fully removed.

The six stages of cleaning are:

1. Pre-clean, which involves removing debris and substances with a disposable towel, sweeping, or rinsing.
2. Main clean, which involves using hot water and a detergent to loosen substances and dirt that couldn’t be removed during the pre-clean stage.
3. Rinse, which involves removing the loosened substances and detergent with hot water.
4. Disinfection, which involves destroying microorganisms with a chemical disinfectant or other method.
5. Final rinse, which involves removing the disinfectant using clean, hot water (though this stage may not be carried out depending on the instructions of the disinfectant. For instance, if you can leave it to do its work and it doesn’t need rinsing afterwards).
6. Drying, such as air drying after the final rinse stage. Anything used to manually dry should be single use, such as disposable towels.

The NHS’s recommended cleaning techniques are:

• Always work from the cleanest area towards the dirtiest area.
• Clean from the top to the bottom of the surface.
• Use an ‘S’ shaped pattern where possible when cleaning surfaces.
• Be careful not to go over the same area twice, as this may re-contaminate it.

There are a lot of high touch surfaces in workplaces and even in the home, and it’s crucial that they undergo frequent, thorough cleaning. This will help to keep everyone healthy and safe, in and out of the workplace.

What to Read Next:

• The 7 Steps of Hand Washing – Free Poster
• Hand Hygiene: Myths and Facts
• Infection Prevention and Control (ICP) Training
• Hand Hygiene and Infection Control Quiz
• Risk Assessment for Cleaning: Free Template
• COSHH Training for Cleaners

The post What are High Touch Surfaces and How Should You Clean Them? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Who are Skills for Care?

Skills for Care is an independent charity and the strategic body for workforce development in social care in England. It is also a delivery partner for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Skills for Care supports social care employers to deliver compassionate and safe care to their service users. Their practical guidance enables employers to get the most out of their people and carry out the quality of care that commissioners and regulators expect.

Skills for Care helps registered managers, supporting them to lead, develop and recruit.

What is the Skills for Care endorsement?

Skills for Care endorsement is a trusted quality mark only awarded to the best learning and development providers within the social care sector.

Skills for Care does not endorse individual training courses, but it focuses on key factors that underpin high-quality learning and assessment.

The endorsement was developed following the 2013 Cavendish Review. Recommendation 5 states that “Health Education England (HEE), with Skills for Health and Skills for Care, should develop proposals for a rigorous system of quality assurance for training, which links funding to outcomes, so that money is not wasted on ineffective courses”.

Following the Cavendish Review, Skills for Care worked with Health Education England (HEE) and Skills for Health to jointly develop the Care Certificate. The Care Certificate assesses the fundamental skills, knowledge and behaviours that are required to provide safe, effective and compassionate care.

We’re a Skills for Care Endorsed Training Provider!

We’re proud to be recognised by Skills for Care as a training provider who delivers high-quality learning and development to the social care sector.

You can read more about this and what it means for our learners in our announcement article.

Take a Look at Some of Our Online Courses:

• Safeguarding Adults Training
• Information Governance Training
• Person-Centred Care Training

The post What is Skills for Care? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

• Training new starters during the pandemic under social distancing rules.
• Contextualising the importance of PPE beyond training and applying this to daily practice.

The Objectives:

• To eliminate knowledge gaps among new starters.
• For the whole team to understand the importance of PPE.
• To make good hygiene practices second nature.

The Solution:

• Accessible online training with no face to face component.
• Training that is clear, concise and cements best practice.
• Training that is suitable for the whole nursing team.

A Background on TLC Care Homes

TLC are a large group of care providers based in Essex. We spoke to Sabrina Cross who manages The Oak, a residential service providing care to vulnerable adults aged between 30-76.

Why Did You Take the Course? What Were Your Business Challenges?

Sabrina explains plainly that the residential care service faced huge challenges and safety threats as a result of the pandemic. 

In addition to the fundamental need to keep the service users and staff safe, there were additional challenges posed to the unit due to the social distancing measures in place. 

Why Did You Choose This Course and High Speed Training in Particular?

The PPE for Healthcare course was sent out across the group. In Sabria’s care home, all 23 staff undertook the training. 

How Will You Apply the Learnings Within Your Role?

Sabrina highlights that sometimes you need to go over what you have learnt before when you are faced with a new, challenging situation.

Sabrina emphasises the importance of carrying on your learnings into the future. 

How has the course helped to solve the challenge you were facing? 

Would You Recommend This Course to Others?

What Can You Learn From TLC Care?

1. The basics are the foundations. When it’s as serious as infection prevention, the basics really do matter. It’s so important to go over material you may have learned in order to make sure you get it right. 
2. Learning something and applying it are different things. Everyone has training as part of their role but it can be really difficult to ensure you apply this when the time comes, especially under high pressure. This is why it is imperative to make sure you take the time to train yourself as well as staff, and don’t be afraid to go over it until it has been cemented. 

What to Read Next:

• Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare Quiz
• Online PPE Training for Healthcare

The post Case Study: Putting Knowledge into Practice at TLC Care appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

• Finding a dedicated course on the specific subject of PPE in healthcare setting as opposed to just one off, general awareness module.

The Objectives:

• Find a specialised standalone course that discusses the intricacies of PPE in appropriate depth.

The Solution:

• High Speed Training has recently developed PPE in Healthcare online training course to meet the specific needs of this subject.

A Background on KTM Compliance

Highly accredited with world awards – KTM Compliance provides expert guidance on business operations in terms of statutory and mandatory compliance. We spoke to Mark Cardnell to find out how our PPE in Healthcare helped him overcome recent challenges.

Why Did You Purchase the Course and What Was Your Challenge or Goal?

Mark reveals that in his capacity as a consultant for the Cabinet Office, he was being asked for advice that required specific detail that went above and beyond what other training providers had to offer.

Why Did You Choose High Speed Training in Particular?

Mark informs us he is no stranger to a High Speed Training course:

How Will You Apply The Learnings Within Your Role?

Mark explains that completing training is often necessary in order to quash misconceptions. 

How Has the Course Helped to Solve the Challenge You Were Facing? 

Mark is also a Senior Consultant at a leading charity facility. A residential care facility in which the average age is 89.

Would You Recommend This Course to Others?

Mark also states that simplicity is key when dealing with difficult subjects:

Is There Anything Particularly Interesting or Noteworthy That You’d Like to Share About Your Experience That Hasn’t Already Been Covered?

What Can You Learn From KTM Compliance?

1. It’s not always as you expect. When it comes to topics as serious as infection control and prevention, it is better to follow the best practice steps and never rely on what you expect. As Mark told us, what many people expect regarding PPE is not necessarily the right way so learning as much as you can, will ensure you’re suitably prepared. 
2. Planning is a fundamental step. Mark credits effective planning and clear communication as the main reasons for the thankfully lack of COVID cases in his care facility. It’s so important to plan and often this can mean planning for a worst case scenario. This means you and your staff can assess the situation and apply the correct technique or strategy because of the prior planning and using the outcomes of the effective training you have undertaken. 

What to Read Next:

• Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare Quiz
• Online PPE Training for Healthcare

The post Case Study: Overcoming Challenges at KTM Compliance appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.