HSA Launches Free Chemical Safety Online Course for Small Business
Suitable for small businesses using chemicals
Friday 20 May - The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched a free short on-line course, on chemical safety in the workplace on its e-learning portal, http://hsalearning.ie. The course is aimed at workers, supervisors and safety representatives, in any sector where chemicals are used. The 30 minute introductory courses will give learners a quick, free and invaluable introductory guide to identifying and managing hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
The short interactive course provides a general overview of chemical safety in the workplace, including a broad outline of the types of chemical substances found in workplaces. Course objectives include developing a chemical inventory, understanding information on the labels and safety data sheets and identifying hazardous chemicals. The course also provides an overview of chemical risk assessment, information on exposure and how to implement a hierarchy of control.
Hazardous chemicals can be found in nearly all workplaces and their safe use is essential for health and well-being. Across Europe, millions of workers come across chemicals that may harm them. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), 15% of workers in Europe handle hazardous chemicals as part of their job. Health effects can range from irritation of the skin or eyes to cancers and effects on the unborn child.
While it is difficult to indicate the exact cost to health, statistics on the website of The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), for example, indicate that more than 100,000 deaths in the EU each year are caused by occupational cancers. It is therefore vital that companies protect their workers, and in order to do so, they must know how hazardous the chemicals in the workplace are and how they can be used safely.
At the end of this course learners should be able to:
- identify all hazardous chemicals in the workplace
- recognise the difference between hazardous/ non-hazardous chemicals
- identify ways hazardous chemicals can enter the body
- develop a chemical inventory
- find information on chemicals through the use of labels and Safety Data Sheets
- examine risk and determine possible risk reduction measures using the hierarchy of control.
Senior Chemicals Inspector with the HSA, Majella Cosgrave said: “This free introductory course will help workers, supervisors and others to assess the risk in their workplaces from hazardous chemicals and put controls in place to prevent injury and illness, in a practical and straightforward way. Workers will benefit from taking the short course by understanding how to stay safe when using chemicals in their daily work. Employers can usefully incorporate it into staff induction or training programmes and will be particularly relevant for those working in businesses such as cleaning companies, printers and garages.”
HSA Education Manager, Joanne Harmon said, “This course short on-line course will be of interest to employers as a way of raising awareness amongst their employees of the risks from hazardous chemicals in the workplace. The group manager facility means that employers, managers or tutors can register groups of learners to take the course in their own time and remotely monitor their progress.”
Ms Harmon added, “Learners can take courses at their own pace and can download a certificate of completion on passing the short assessment. Although not a formal qualification, certification can form part of an individual’s training or continuous professional development record.”
To see the full range of HSA on-line courses on offer, browse and/or register as a learner on www.hsalearning.ie. If you are interested in further information on HSA on-line learning or to register these or other courses for continuing professional development points, contact: joanne_harmon@hsa.ie.
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