Newsletter

!LOGO Welcome to Abbey Physio's Quarterly Newsletter Q3 2010

This newsletter will update you on changes to Health and Safety legislation and issues that affect your business

Occupational Health & Safety Consultants, Training Centre, Steamboat Quay, Limerick

Telephone: 061-608202 info@abbeyphysio.ie

Fax: 061-401533 www.abbeyphysio.ie

The aim of this newsletter is to keep you informed about Health, Safety and Welfare news.

IN THIS ISSUE

· Tips for a Safer Work Environment

· Consultants Biography

· Public Training Course Schedule

· New FETAC Level 6 awards

· What you can do to improve your own health

· Looking after you Mental Health in a Recession

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“ Accidents big or small avoid them all”

TIPS FOR A SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Ensure safety equipment is regularly maintained and checked.

2. Floor surfaces must be in good condition and are properly maintained.

3. Clean any spillages on wet floors immediately. Isolate the area to prevent anyone walking through. Control the area band and never leave the spillage unattended until properly cleaned and managed.

4. Keep stairways clear of materials. Provide sturdy handrails and a slip-resistant surface on stairs.

5. Provide adequate lighting, particularly for work stations and staircases.

6. Electrical, heating and water supplies should be checked on a frequent basis.

7. Ensure that the premises and equipment are regularly inspected to ensure proper hygiene and implement safety management systems.

8. Provide stable ladders and step stools for tasks that require reaching above shoulder height.

9. Computer work stations must have ergonomically suitable furnishings and be properly assessed.

10. Consult employees and employee representatives on health and safety matters, and encourage employees to co-operate and participate in the introduction of new policies and measures designed to improve their health and safety Reference: Irish Insurance Federation

Safe Maintenance Creates Healthy Workplaces

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched its new Healthy Workplaces Campaign for 2010/11, on the theme “promoting safe maintenance across Europe”.

Maintenance Work is essential to prevent workplace risks, but itself involves risk for workers that carry it out.

In Europe it is estimated that 10-15 % of fatal accidents at work can be attributed to maintenance operations and in some European countries, as much as 20% of all workplace accidents are connected with maintenance.

Consultant BioGRAPHY:

Annette Shanahan qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from Nottingham School of Physiotherapy (University of Nottingham). She specialised in Occupational Health and completed the Diploma in Safety Health and Welfare at Work from University College Dublin. Her clinical specialism is the rehabilitation of injured workers, particularly those with chronic low back pain.

She completed a MSc in Primary Care, First Class Honours in Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, (RCSI) Dublin and is a part-time lecturer in Occupational Health in RCSI. She undertook post-graduate study in the USA and qualified as a Functional Capacity Evaluator and introduced this system of injury assessment to Ireland. She frequently acts as an Expert Witness.

Annette has lectured widely on occupational injury management and injury prevention, pre-employment fitness assessment, occupational health and safety and risk assessment both in Ireland and the U.K.

Annette is a founder member of the specific interest group Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health & Ergonomics of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, RCSI, Dublin.

She developed the course and has provided training for People Handling Instructors and Manual Handling Instructors for over 15 years. She is a member of IOSH, the Irish Ergonomics Society and has completed the Certificate in Training and Continuing Education from NUI Maynooth.

Annette is the current President of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin.

Annette shanahan

MSc. PHC SMISCP MCSP Grad. Dip. Phys

Dip. SHWW, Grad. IOSH MIES Cert. Ed.(NUI)

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Specialist Chartered Physiotherapist

Director Abbey Physio

Consultant Biography:

Kathleen Ryan is a Registered General Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Nursing Studies from National University of Ireland, Galway. She completed her Diploma in Safety, Health & Welfare at Work in 2003 from University of Limerick.

Her specialist area is Occupational Health and Safety.

Currently she undertakes risk assessments, audits, safety statements and implements safety management systems and training. She is a qualified Manual Handling and People Moving & Handling Instructor. She has completed the Certificate in Training and Continuing Education with NUI Maynooth and is a committee member of the Western District of IOSH.

Kathleen Ryan

RGN BSc Dip SHWW Grad. IOSH

Cert. Ed. (NUI)

Text Box: Occupational Health and Safety Consultant

Consultant Biography:

Christine Mortell is a Registered General Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Studies from the University of Limerick. In 2001, Christine successfully graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway with a Higher Diploma in Occupational Health & Hygiene.

She has over ten years experience working in a variety of acute healthcare settings. She gained valuable industry insights in the area of disability claims management while working as a Medical Risk Advisor for a large multi-national insurance company.

Currently Christine undertakes risk assessments, safety statements and implements safety management systems and training. She is a qualified People and Manual Handling Instructor. She has completed the Certificate in Training and Continuing Education with NUI Maynooth.

Christine Mortell

RGN BSc H Dip Occ Health & Hygiene Grad. IOSH Cert Ed. (NUI)

Text Box: Occupational Health and Safety Consultant

ABBEY PHYSIO Public Training Course Schedule

All programmes can be facilitated in house and tailor made to your organisation’s needs.

Course Title	Dates	Accreditation	Duration
FETAC Level 6 Instructing Manual Handling	September & November 2010	FETAC Level 6	5 days
FETAC Level 6 Instructing People Handling	September & November 2010	FETAC Level 6	8 days
Recognised Prior Learning For Manual and People Handling	Autumn 2010	FETAC Level 6	As per individual
FETAC Level 5 Safety & Health at Work	August & Oct 2010	FETAC Level 5	3 days
FETAC Level 5 Health & Safety Representation	July / Aug 2010	FETAC Level 5	3 days
FETAC Level 6 Train the Trainer	Aug & Oct 2010	FETAC Level 6	3 days
FETAC Level 5 Care Skills	July 2010	FETAC Level 5	4 days
FETAC Level 5 Care of the Older Person	July 2010	FETAC Level 5	3 days
People Handling	Ongoing	Certificate of Attendance	5 Hours - Refresher 1 day – Beginners
Manual Handling	Ongoing	Certificate of Attendance	Half day
VDU Assessors Course	July, Aug 2010	Certificate of Attendance	1 day
Risk Assessor Training	Ongoing	Certificate of Attendance	2 days
Pregnancy Risk Assessor Training	Ongoing	Certificate of Attendance	½ day

NEW FETAC LEVEL 6 AWARDS

Current Situation with Standards

The FETAC awards in Manual Handling Instruction and People Handling Instruction are at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. These are nationally and internationally recognized and endorsed by the Health & Safety Authority.

These awards have been devised to ensure “instructors” of Manual Handling and People handling operate to a nationally recognised standard.

rECOGNITION OF prior Learning

The Training provider must be registered with FETAC and have their programme validated leading to this award.

Only FETAC Registered Training Providers (RTP’s) may offer RPL for this award and they must have specific approval from FETAC to offer RPL for this award.

Existing instructors with experience in this field will be facilitated to have their prior learning recognised and assessed to enable them to achieve the awards.

This recognition of prior learning process will allow those who are currently instructors obtain FETAC Level 6 awards in Manual Handling Instruction and People Handling instruction.

In general, it will require existing instructors to submit a portfolio of evidence which can be assessed in a short period against the standards in the awards. The assessment process will include

Ø Practical skills

Ø Demonstration(s)

Ø Theory test

RPL OVERVIEW

Step 1: Applicant completes & submits application form including supplementary information. The criteria against which the application is evaluated is provided by the Registered Training Provider (RTP).

Step 2: The RTP evaluates the application

Step 3: Applicants will be notified of one of the following:

a) They have been successful to progress to the next stage of the RPL Process

b) They are required to provide more information

c) They are required to complete additional elements of training / education activity or

d) They are deemed unsuccessful to progress to the next stage of the RPL process.

Step 4: Successful applicants will be invited to attend a formal assessment which will include the following:

a) Examination

b) Assignment (can be prepared in advance)

c) Skills demonstration

The learner must achieve a pass in each of the assessments

Step 5: Results of assessment processed by the provider in the normal way

WORKPLACE HEALTH PROMOTION

Workplace Health promotion is the combined effort of employers employees and society to improve the health and well being of people at work. This is achieved through a combination of

Ø Improving the work organisation and work environment

Ø Promoting the participation of workers in healthy activities

Ø Enabling Healthy Choices

Ø Encouraging Personal Development

ABBEY PHYSIO can assist you in developing health promotion programmes for your staff and colleagues. Small measures taken every day can have a huge benefit in ones overall wellbeing and health.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR

OWN HEALTH

Avoid Stress at Work

· Avoid stressful situations, such as morning traffic, why not cycle or take the bus?

· Learn to say No if you feel that agreeing to a task would exceed your limits.

· Incorporating relaxation breaks into your schedule.

· Talk to your supervisor about your situation.

Being aware of the symptoms of Stress, such as sleeping problems or concentration problems. Listen to your body.

Food At Work

· Eat a variety of foods and consume plenty of fruit and vegetables

· Eat moderate portions

· Eat regularly

Stay Active

· Adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 Days of the week.

· Take the stairs whenever possible.

· Walk short distances instead of taking the bus or car.

· Place the printer some distance from your desk if you work in an office.

· Take part in sports or other physical activities.

Give up Smoking

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable deaths in the world

Reasons to give up smoking:

· You will feel fitter as your breathing becomes more regular and natural.

· You will regain piece of mind and your zest fro life once the anxiety, stress and irritability caused by giving up smoking fades away.

· You will save money.

· Your skin, hair, teeth and fingers will look healthier and your breath will be fresher.

Source: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

IN A RECESSION

Stress and worry can affect your mental health and physical health. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or worried.

The stress of the economic downturn, losing a job or having money worries has a different effect on each of us.

ABBEY PHYSIO can facilitate workshops for organisations helping to promote mental health awareness for staff. The cost benefit of this not only maintains a healthy worker but also improves staff morale, reduces absenteeism and overall productivity.

How to Look after your mental health:

1. Take it one day at a time

2. Talk about it and ask for help

3. Get involved in a new hobby, volunteering

4. Get advice on money problems

Alcohol – watch what you drink

6. Eat and sleep well

7. Keep active capt0ed3c1ea5f4c42a3b1712ffe14e798d.slovenia_soccer_euro_2008_belarus_xdb104.jpg image by princess_kenobi

Signs of Common Mental Health Problems

· Feelings of sadness or hopelessness

· Withdrawing from friends, family, work or other things that are usually enjoyable.

· Excessive or undue worry.

· Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.

· Feeling tired all the time.

· Major changes in mood.

· Problems paying attention or staying focused.

· Not being able to function as well at college or home.

Contact Support Services if you or someone you know needs support.

Ø Local GP or family doctor.

Ø Contact your GP Out - of - Hours Service

Ø Go to or contact the Accident & Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.

.Source: Health Promotion Unit