HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
IHASCO RELEASES NEW VERSION OF POPULAR ASBESTOS AWARENESS TRAINING iHASCO, a market-leading provider of Health & Safety and Compliance eLearning, has released an updated version of its popular Asbestos Awareness training course. Having already trained over 150,000 people across the UK and Europe in Asbestos Awareness, iHASCO has made appropriate visual and script changes to bring the programme in line with the look and feel of its newer courses. With the HSE putting the number of asbestos-related deaths at around 5,000 deaths per year, the threat of asbestos exposure is very real. Asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses and fatalities anywhere between 10 and 50 years after they’ve made it into the lungs. iHASCO’s Asbestos Awareness Training course is IOSH Approved and has been audited by the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP). The online awareness training can be
completed in just 35 minutes and allows employers in the UK to work towards compliance with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The course, which is aimed at anyone who could potentially come into contact with asbestos whilst at work, has been designed to educate the user on where asbestos might be found, what to do if it is disturbed, and the the risks associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Real life demos, examples, and step by steps feature throughout the programme to equip learners with the awareness and knowledge they need to keep themselves and others safe. “After months of hard work, my team have created a fantastic product and I’m confident that our
clients will enjoy using it as much as we enjoyed making it.” says Lottie Galvin, iHASCO’s studio manager. “You’ll notice that we’ve embodied different styles of animation, we’ve included a fascinating timeline on the history of asbestos, and - of course - we’ve ensured that this training helps you keep your staff safe whilst keeping you compliant with current legislation.” Anyone interested in this training is invited to watch a short snippet taken from the updated course on The History of Asbestos. There is also an International version of Asbestos Awareness training for those outside of the UK.
COVID-19 DETECTION: NEW ENVIRONMENTAL SWABBING METHOD SOCOTEC, a leading UK provider of testing, inspection and compliance services, has unveiled a new environmental swabbing procedure to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) on surfaces across a range of workplace environments. The new method has been adopted in light of preliminary research which indicates that the COVID-19 virus has prolonged tenacity on surfaces, with contact via contaminated surfaces suggested as a possible cause of infection.
sampled. This process is repeated using fresh swabs for all other areas and locations that require sampling. Analysis is carried out by a specialist partner laboratory using Ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing, which detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA fragments.
This swabbing procedure can be applied across a variety of workplace environments, including offices, factories, communal/public areas and public transportation, testing such surfaces as door/grab handles, light switches, HVAC vents, table/desk tops, office equipment, control panels, seat backs, sinks and toilet cubicles amongst others.
Results will be reported in a comprehensive format comprising observations, salient points and recommendations for improvement, ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation. Photographic evidence will also be compiled within the report to indicate precisely where samples were taken.
To carry out the test, sterile swabs will be gently rubbed and rolled over a set area of the surface to be
“As certain Government restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic begin to ease, many organisations
are now facing the overwhelming task of returning their buildings to full occupancy. SOCOTEC is committed to guiding and supporting its clients as they prepare to resume business operations, ensuring that they remain safe and compliant while doing so,” said Norman Sleeth, managing director, Environment & Safety, SOCOTEC UK. “Our new environmental swabbing method forms just one of SOCOTEC’s wide range of testing, inspection and compliance services that aims to get buildings ‘business ready’, instilling employers with confidence and reassurance regarding occupational health, safety and hygiene as they continue to operate through these uncertain times.”