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National Safety Centre is a recognised PHECC Approved Training Institution.
During the Covid-19 pandemic we can offer this training course, to deliver the theory portion of the training for two days. Day three with a follow up class based first aid practical session and assessments as required by PHECC.
Standards on delivery of the course will be in line with the Government guidance on Return to Work Safety Protocols.
Further details are available via the link below.
National Safety Centre is a recognised PHECC Institution.
Our PHECC (QRP) Quality Assurance Policy 2016 Report is available to view on the PHECC website or via button below.
Our Quality Assurance Policy and Procedures available to customers on request.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), since the 1st November 2016, are the appointed statutory body to administer the training of First Aid Response (FAR) practitioners and assess First Aid Response Instructors, by the Health and Safety Authority.
All existing Occupational First Aid Instructors must attend a Recognition of Prior Learning Course to become a PHECC FAR Instructor. This operation will take a few months to complete.
Both OFA and FAR Instructors can deliver QQI OFA courses and PHECC FAR courses until the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) announce the changeover date to PHECC FAR courses this year.
Please note both OFA and FAR courses have dual recognition until the HSA, PHECC and QQI agree a transition date. Eventually, the PHECC FAR course will be the only recognised qualification. We will keep you posted when the date is announced.
The table below details the changesfrom the QQI OFA course to the PHECC FAR course.
New regulations on woodworking machines, abrasive wheels and abrasive blasting of surfaces have been published today and will come into force on July 1st.
The new regulations are being brought into force as part of the General Application Regulations. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2016 (SI 36/2016) introduce three new parts and two new schedules to the General Application Regulations:
Part 11: Woodworking Machines
Part 12: Abrasive Wheels
Part 13: Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces
Schedule 13: Woodworking Machines
Schedule 14: Training and Instruction.
The new regulations repeal the following:
WOODWORKING MACHINES REGULATIONS
The new regulations include definitions and cover space around machines, guarding and protection, maintenance of machines, dust, circular sawing machines, band sawing machines, planing machines and vertical spindle machines. The full list of machines is set out in schedule 13. There are provisions on training, instruction and information.
The new regulations include definitions. The regulations apply to the use of any abrasive wheel for grinding or cutting at a place of work. The regulations deal with the use of abrasive wheels, speed of revolution, mounting of abrasive wheels and guarding and rests for workplaces and flanges. Schedule 14 deals with training and instruction.
Again the regulations include definitions. The regulations apply to all places of work in which blasting is done, with the exception of blasting enclosures for cleaning of castings, , enclosures, blasting apparatus and ventilating plant. The regulations provide for the provision of blasting apparatus, enclosures, ventilating plant. The regulations include rules on the prohibition of silica, the protection of employees and other persons and also of persons under 18.
Following the enactment of the new regulations, the General Application Regulations will in future be cited as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 2007 to 2016. Both the HSA and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are to be congratulated on bringing in the regulations as part of the General Application Regulations. It is a welcome easing of the administrative burden, without impacting on the protection of workers.
The regulations are available to download on the Department’s website here
Source: Health & Safety Review
The NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is advising parents to check for safety labels and markings when shopping for Halloween costumes and accessories this holiday season.
“Don’t let Halloween be more frightening this year than it should be,” said Maurice Buckley, Chief Executive of the NSAI. “Consumers should look out for safety standard labels on their Halloween costumes, props and toys, such as “flame resistant” and the CE mark. Both of these labels show that the manufacturer has complied with national and international standards. The label doesn’t mean that these items won't catch fire, but it does indicate that they will resist burning and they should extinguish quickly once you get them away from the fire source,” Mr Buckley added.
Halloween props to complete the scary costume such as masks, pitchforks, and brooms should also have a visible CE mark. Under Irish and European law, children’s toys must display the CE mark, which shows that the manufacturer has complied with the Irish and European ‘Safety of Toys’ standard (I.S. EN 71). This means that the product has undergone safety testing in the design and manufacture process.
CEO of NSAI Maurice Buckley is warning parents to be wary of fake CE marked costumes and accessories that may be for sale on the market. “It’s difficult but one way to spot fraudulent CE markings it to check the logo. Sometimes the wrong logo is used entirely, but if it looks correct, check the middle line of the ‘E’, as it should be shorter than the other parts,” said Mr. Buckley.
Last year tragedy struck the home of Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman when her eight-year-old daughter suffered horrific burns after the witch’s costume she wore brushed against a candle. The TV presenter told the BBC at the time that the tights of the outfit had “melted into her skin” and they had struggled to put the fire out.
All costumes, not just children’s costumes, must pass EN 71-2, the existing toy flammability standard. Just because a fabric passes the flammability standard does not mean it’s flame resistant. The requirement is based on how quickly the flame spreads (a minimum of 3.5 seconds) and does not take into account the size of the flame. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if a fabric will be flammable just by looking at it, but to be on the safe side, follow these tips:
Look for the CE mark and the Flame Resistant label when shopping for a Halloween costume or accessories. These marks show that the manufacturer has complied with national and international standards. Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.
If your child is carrying a plastic costume prop or toy such as a mask or a pitchfork, look for the CE Mark. Under Irish and European law, toys placed on the European market must display the CE Mark. The CE Mark demonstrates that the manufacturer has complied with the Irish and European standard, I.S. EN 71 "Safety of Toys", and the product has undergone safety testing in the design and manufacture process.
Halloween novelty lights, similar in style to Christmas lights, are widely available in shops. However, all electrical products sold in the EU must also comply with safety standards and must carry a CE mark. The mark should be visible on the product itself or on its packaging. If it doesn't have the CE mark, don't buy it.
In order to protect your children from getting into contact with naked flames, we advise you avoid costumes with glitter as it tends to be more flammable. Also, capes, trains and dangling sleeves can drag and graze a naked flame more easily and therefore should be avoided.
The flame resistant label and CE label will delay the material catching fire, but it will not prevent the costume from catching fire altogether. Therefore it is vital parents remove the risk and avoid using candles, or naked flames. Opt for battery-operated candles instead of lit ones for pumpkins.
Look for costumes made from 100% synthetic fibres like nylon or polyester. Costumes that are made of one single type of material will often catch fire more slowly than those that are made out of lots of different materials. If a costume is made of a variety of different fabrics they can all react to a flame in a different way and in some cases, can fuel the fire even faster.
Always look for the CE mark when buying face paints and ensure that the ingredients are clearly displayed on the packaging in English.
Ensure your child is wearing bright or light coloured clothing where possible, when trick-or-treating. Give them a glow stick to carry or buy reflective tape and attach it to your child’s costume, to ensure they are visible to motorists.
If the worst does happen and your child comes into contact with a candle or fire, make sure they know to stop, drop to the ground and roll around. Allow the ground to suffocate the flames and not your hand.
Make sure the props and toys your child is using this Halloween are suitable. Some children, particularly those under the age of three, are more vulnerable, particularly to choking and less able to cope with particular toys than older children.
Official CE Marking
The National Consumer Agency provides further guidance on Toy & Play Equipment Safety.
If you come across a toy that seems unsafe or if it doesn't have a CE Mark, don't buy it. Instead, contact ConsumerHelp.ie with the details of the toy and where you bought it.
On October 28th 2011 Stephen Bayfield lost his life at work in Dublin Port after he was crushed by a wheel of a large slow moving crane.
The Dublin Coroner’s Court heard how there were no safety systems in place for crane drivers crossing the cargo area. It was known among staff that the environment was unsafe but everyone 'just got on with it'.
Since the terrible tragedy, a number of safe systems have since been put in place such as defined and fenced off pathways, a designated changeover area for the cranes and radios for the drivers to communicate.
The court also recommended that a risk assessment be revised regularly and asked for a safety representative to be appointed to deal with staff safety issues on site.
The Irish Heart Foundation are holding an information day around Cardiomyopathy in the Gresham Hotel, O'Connell St, Dublin on Saturday September 12th from 12pm to 3.30pm - and it's completely free to attend!
Be sure to register early. For further information on the day and details on how to register click the link below.
RTÉ Broadcaster and Sunday Game Presenter Michael Lyster collapsed from a major cardiac arrest at his home and was kept alive by his wife Anne preforming lifesaving CPR as she waited on the ambulance to arrive.
Listen to his remarkable story with Matt Cooper on The Last Word on Today FM.
Miracle boy Cole Taylor's collapsed after his heart stopped beating while playing with his brother during their family holiday.
Cole's Dad (44) used life saving CPR skills he had learned to revive his son.
Click the link below to read the full details on this amazing story.
This daredevil high heeled cleaning lady was spotted on the 3rd floor of the Department of Taoiseach cleaning a window this week. Armed with a cloth and a bottle of window cleaner she proceeded to clean the outside of the window while perched on the 3rd floor window ledge.
A spokeswoman for the Department confirmed that the woman was a staff member and stated 'This is a one off occurrence and the staff member in question has been reminded of their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare Act.'
Luckily no one was hurt in the incident, but it serves as a reminder how important health and safety awareness and training is for staff.
National Safety Centre's got new wheels. We're very proud of our new van here in head office, so if you see us on the road be sure to give us a wave!
As part of their 'Save a Life a Month' campaign, National Safety Centre has proudly sponsored Raheny Community First Responder volunteers in their efforts to provide a much needed defibrillator (AED) and medical supplies for the Raheny area.
The Raheny Community First Responders are part of a proactive movement to provide rapid response to medical emergencies in their neighbourhood. More information can be found on the Community First Responders Ireland website - www.cfr.ie
We joined the Raheny Community First Responder volunteers and their Coordinator Joe Mooney at their public meeting on the 11th of April at Raheny scout den and provided key chain face shields to responders.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Christy Burke, Des Kelly (NAS CFR Officer) and John Fitzgerald (Irish CFR Group Founder) spoke at the event.
Information on Raheny Community First Responders can be found here on their Facebook page - Raheny Community First Responders
National Safety Centre wish them all the best in their endeavours.
As part of our continuous website improvement programme and our drive to make booking and using our services friction free, we're delighted to announce we can now offer online booking and payment on our public training courses.
A supermarket worker, who injured her back while loading a trolley, was awarded damages of €85,000 by the High Court recently.
Delivering judgment, Mr Justice Anthony Barr said the worker was required in the course of her work as a shop assistant to fetch a large number of boxes from a storeroom. The boxes weighed between 13kg and 15kg and contained a number of suitcases of varying sizes.
Summarising the injured worker’s evidence, the judge said she stated that on the day of the accident, the boxes in the storeroom were stacked above her head height and she had to knock them off the top of the pile and let them fall to the ground before putting them on a trolley. She filled one trolley, but suffered a back injury while loading a second trolley.
There was, the judge said, a dispute between the parties on whether the worker had any manual handling training on the day of her induction with the supermarket. Saying that the worker struck him as a truthful witness, he noted she said she was given a tour of the premises, given a uniform and told to sign a record card.
She had not, Mr Justice Barr said, received adequate training in respect of the duties of her employment. A demonstration with a box of A4 paper was not remotely comparable to the lifting exercise the worker had to do in the course of her work. Also he said there was no proper follow up to the training. If there had been, the supermarket would have known that the worker was using an incorrect and dangerous method of lifting. This should, he said, have been spotted and corrected.
Assessing damages, the judge said the injured worker has fairly constant pain in her back. He awarded her €80,000 in general damages for her injuries (€60,000 for past pain and suffering and €20,000 for future). He awarded a further €5,000 for agreed specials, bringing the total award to €85,000.
The award for general damages is noteworthy in that the top figure provided for in the Book of Quantum for a back injury with significant ongoing consequences is €69,700. At €80,000, the award is over €10,000 above the maximum provided for in the Book of Quantum. The judge did not mention the Book of Quantum in his judgment. He granted a stay in the event of an appeal, provided that the employer paid out €20,000 immediately. (Meus v Dunnes Stores: High Court, Dublin, December 2014)
Source: Health & Safety Review
National Safety Centre offer the following manual handling training courses. Select course for further information.
The Classification, Labelling and Packaging CLP Regulation was introduced in 2008 to ensure that hazards presented by chemicals are clearly communicated to workers and consumers in the European Union through harmonised classification and labelling of chemicals.
All substances must be classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with the CLP Regulations since 1st December 2012, with a transitional deadline for mixtures until 1st June 2015. This transitional deadline is fast approaching and the changes will have far reaching consequences for all those who supply and use hazardous chemicals in Ireland, throughout the EU and indeed worldwide.
By 1st June 2015 all hazardous mixtures placed on the market will need to be classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with the CLP Regulation 1272/2008 (CLP). Any business that imports or formulates chemical mixtures will be affected by this deadline, they should be aware of it and ready for the change. Before placing chemicals on the market these businesses must establish the potential risks to human health and the environment of such substances and mixtures, classifying them in line with the identified hazards. The hazardous chemicals also have to be labelled according to a globally harmonised system so that workers and consumers know about their effects before they handle them. CLP introduces new pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements to labels. For those mixtures that are already on the market, there an exemption from re-labelling and repackaging until 1st June 2017.
The responsibility for labelling and packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures lies with:
manufacturers of substances,
importers of substances or mixtures,
formulators of mixtures, and
distributers or Downstream Users, who do not reformulate or change the substances or mixtures but relabel/repackage them.
Exactly what steps a company needs to do to comply with CLP will depend on their role and where they sit in the supply chain. The Health and Safety Authority recommends that all stakeholders have an obligation to ensure they are ready for the upcoming deadline.
The HSA is participating in an EU wide awareness raising campaign to alert Irish companies of these changes. As part of this campaign, the HSA is also offering assistance to help compliance with the upcoming deadline and encourages those affected to contact its Chemicals Helpdesk email (chemicals@hsa.ie) for assistance.
For Further information:
Sample CLP Compliant Label
National Safety Centre offer the following chemical related training courses. Select course for further information.
Congratulations to our competition winners Fiona Fitzgerald and Anne O'Brien for successfully completing their PHECC CFR Community Level (AED) Training.
If you would like to learn these important life saving skills contact us today.
(Call Save) 1850 234 600
+353 18225963
We've been working hard in the background updating our branding and our website, and today is the day we get to finally show it to the world.
Welcome to the new NationalSafetyCentre.com
We hope it better highlights our products, services and training courses and ultimately better serves you the customer.
Enjoy the new look and be sure to visit as we'll be posting our latest training courses, news and offers here.
Best wishes,
National Safety Centre Team
To celebrate the arrival of the new AED in Scanlan's Garage (Texaco) in Balbriggan North County Dublin, we're giving away two free places on our next Emergency First Aid Course which includes PHECC CFR Community Level (AED Training). This course runs on the 4th of September 2014 from 9:30am to 5pm in Holywell Community Centre, Swords.
To be in with a chance of winning entrants must be resident of Balbriggan or surrounding area.
Winners will be chosen at random, and draw will take place on Monday 1st September at 3pm. Winners will be contacted directly.
Best of luck!
*Terms and conditions apply.
Out with the old and in with the New!
We've been working hard to give our logo and corporate branding a face lift. With all new colours, fonts and styles - we think it looks pretty good!
What do you think?
Its a proud day for us here in National Safety Centre HQ, we've proudly been nominated in the Best New / Developing Business category in the Howth Sutton Baldoyle Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards.
Thank you to everyone for the continued support.
National Safety Centre Team
