Why add first aid training to the National Curriculum?

Posted on September 5, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Here at Ajuda we think that introducing first aid lessons to the school curriculum is a fantastic idea.

Across the UK there are 8.4 million pupils enrolled in schools – this makes up 10% of the population! Currently, there is no obligation to teach students first aid skills within British schools. We believe that everybody should have the opportunity to learn how to save a life.

In 2015, The British Red Cross* stated that 91% of students would like to have the opportunity to learn life-saving skills in first aid training.

There are countless stories in the news every year about children becoming life-savers. Often, children find themselves alone with a parent who goes into cardiac arrest, a friend who has a fall, a grandparent who becomes unconscious, and many more scary scenarios. In these instances, children are expected to make important life-changing decisions.

Joshua Williamson Performed CPR on His Father

With training from a young age for all children, these situations may seem more manageable and there will be even more success stories in the news about young people administering emergency first aid and saving someone’s life. Teaching children these skills can only be time and resources well spent. Young people will feel empowered and more confident in their ability to help someone in an emergency.

According to The Statement on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Automated External Defibrillators and Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest** from the Welsh Government at the end of last year, the Welsh Government is fully supportive of helping young people to acquire life-saving skills and how to administer first aid in an emergency.

At the moment, all young learners in Wales are only able to learn about emergency first aid procedures through Personal and Social Education (PSE) which is part of the basic curriculum for all registered pupils. However, first aid is not a mandatory module in PSE. Whilst the basis of the subject is to give learners a balances programme that teaches them practical life-skills, unfortunately, including first aid is optional. Many, many children go without learning these basic skills during their PSE lessons.

Looking to the future, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, has accepted the recommendation of the ‘Successful Futures’ report written by Prof. Graham Donaldson. In this report, Prof. Donaldson identifies 6 Areas of Learning and Experience that are central to the new curriculum, one of these is Health and Wellbeing. He states that the curriculum should support children and young people to become health, confident individuals.

What happens now?

It’s time that the government commit to making first aid a compulsory part of the curriculum. In February of this year, Assembly Members such as, Suzy Davies, backed proposals to ensure that all children get trained in life-saving skills as part of their school education. They also addressed the need for making first aid equipment and defibrillators available in as many public spaces as possible.

Ajuda MD Dawn Evans, with First Aid Students

Over the years, Ajuda has been approached by many schools who have used their own initiative to organise first aid training for pupils. Ajuda have taught many students first aid skills such as, CPR, the use of defibrillators and bleeding. We have also done a lot of training for pupils taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme.

We offer competitive prices for first aid training in schools. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 029 2057 6883 or admin@ ajuda.org.uk

*http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/News/2017/March/Red-Cross-first-aid-government-PSHE

**http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2016-new/ouofhospitalcardiacarrest/?lang=en

Animal bites and how to treat them

Posted on August 23, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

This week in the news there have been 2 recent incidents in the UK involving children being bitten by dogs. It is estimated that over 200, 000 people a year are bitten by dogs and other animals. Animal bites and scratches that break the skin can damage tissues and let germs into the skin, for this reason you must treat any bite that breaks the skin to stop it from getting infected.

Bites from animals can be quite jagged as well as being at risk of infection. It is advised to get any bite that has punctured the skin looked at by a medical professional because quite often the wound may not look too serious, however, the bite can penetrate deeply and inject infected matted under the skin. For example, if the wound is red and becomes inflamed (hot or angry looking), the casualty will need antibiotics; if the wound is particularly large, the casualty may need stitches.

A severe infection that is commonly associated with animal bites is rabies. Rabies is a serious viral infection that attacks the brain and the nervous system. The virus is passed on through the saliva of an infected animal when they bite a human. Almost all cases of rabies occur abroad. Another potential risk after an animal bite is a bacterial infection called tetanus. It is rare that animal bites can lead to these infections. Most infections come from bites from wild animals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.

Prevention!

Many animal bites can be prevented from occurring. Many are provoked. Always keep a close eye on children around animals (even pets!). Teach them to be gentle around animals and not to tease them, and to stay away from wild or stray animals. Not all dogs that bite or scratch are aggressive many react because they are nervous for example, their space has been invaded, there has been a loud noise or a quick, unexpected movement.

Treat dogs with respect. Do not approach them suddenly or interrupt them when they are eating or sleeping. Avoid stroking unfamiliar dogs and, when greeting a dog for the first time, let it sniff you before touching it.

What to do

When someone is bitten by an animal there are certain steps and precautions that must be taken.

– Wash the bite area with soap and warm water to reduce the risk of infection.

– Raise and support the wound and gently pat it dry.

– If the bite is bleeding, apply pressure with clean gauze from your first aid kit (you can use a clean cloth if you do not have access to a first aid kit)

– If the bleeding has stopped you can apply antibiotic ointment.

– Once clean, cover the wound with a sterile wound dressing (gauze or a bandage).

– Offer the person who has been bitten ibuprofen for pain relief

It is important to reassure the casualty and to be aware that you may need to treat them for shock.

Seek medical care if:

– the bite was from:

a wild or stray animal

a pet that isn’t up-to-date on rabies shots

an animal that is acting strangely

– the bite has broken the skin or if the wound is large or deep, treat for bleeding (apply pressure and cover the wound) and call 999/112 for an ambulance

– the bite is on the face, head, neck, hand, foot, or near a joint

– a bite or scratch becomes red, hot, swollen, or increasingly painful

– you think there is a risk of rabies (you need to get them to hospital as fast as you can)

– the wound is dirty

– your child (or the person bitten) is behind on shot or has not had a tetanus shot within 5 years

We are big dog lovers over at Ajuda HQ so we have collected this information to help people avoid getting in a situation where they are bitten by a dog (or other animals). We strongly advise that all parents have an accessible first aid kit with them that they use in the case of an emergency such as an animal bite. If you are interested in learning more first aid skills, we run open courses every month. For more information please contact us on 029 2057 6883 or email daisy@ajuda.org.uk.

Is your child’s school fire safe?

Posted on July 26, 2017May 8, 2019 by Dawn Evans

After recent news reported that cladding on two of the schools that have been tested so far following the Grenfell fire has failed combustibility tests, according to the Department for Education. The department has ordered all schools and colleges in England to carry out fire safety checks*. The same holds true to schools and colleges across Wales too – school fire’s can be detrimental.

The costs of a fire within a school can be significant. While financial costs may be great, the cost to the community can be even greater. For example, casualties, school closures or relocations, loss of jobs and the detrimental effect on local businesses. It is for this reason that Ajuda Training Service works with schools to provide advice and guidance on how to protect students and staff from the potentially devastating effects of fire.

To keep students and staff safe from fire, it’s important that schools:

– know how to keep themselves safe from fire

– are informed about and comply with fire safety legislation

– complete a fire risk assessment and ensure that these are kept up to date

– ensure procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of fire

– maintain the fire detection and alarm systems

– ensure that staff and pupils are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures

All schools are different. They have different layouts and occupancies, and some schools may also have pupils and/or members of staff with special educational needs. Therefore, each school must develop its own procedures for managing fire safety. When developing this, schools should consider all the key issues presented to them.

By law schools are required to undertake risk assessments to identify the general fire precautions needed to safeguard the safety of pupils and staff alike in the case of a fire, including a safe means of escape.

Ajuda Training Service is available to provide further advice and assistance so please contact us. We also run Fire Safety open courses every month if you require just a couple of members to be trained in Fire Safety.

*News report from BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-40594362

Keeping yourself and your family safe over the summer holidays

Posted on July 21, 2017May 8, 2019 by Dawn Evans

The summer holidays are here!

For some this may mean 6 weeks with the family – for you, we’ve written this blog about how to stay safe at home over the coming weeks whilst still enjoying yourself and relaxing.

Sun Cream

Firstly, and very importantly, when the sun is out (admittedly this may not seem too often) sun cream is a must. Whilst Britain may not be the hottest place on earth, there is still a certain risk of burning our skin whilst spending time in the sun. You may be in the garden relaxing on the sun lounger or hiking with the family, you’re still at risk.

You must apply sun cream before you venture outside, even if it does look a little overcast outside. It is particularly important to ensure children are also wearing sun protection including cream and a hat. Make sure that the sun cream you use is a high SPF (30+) and has a high UVA star rating to ensure that you are well protected from the hot sun.

Also, remember to keep reapplying sun cream throughout the day, particularly if you have been for a dip in the sea or a pool. If, unfortunately, you do burn, make sure that you moisturise the area with after sun cream or Aloe Vera to soothe the skin. Stay in the shade to prevent any further damage.

Burns from the BBQ

BBQ’s are a staple to British summertime. We don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a social gathering in the sun with the smell of food being cooked outside on the BBQ (perhaps more too often, the smell of charred food nonetheless). It’s not just the food that often ends up burnt during the fun of a BBQ. Unfortunately, our willing chefs sometimes end up burning themselves whilst cooking our delicious burgers and sausages.

Treatment will differ depending on the severity of the burn:

First-degree burns – these affect the top layer of skin and can be treated by running the affected area under cool water for 10 minutes.

Second-degree burns – this type of burn needs to be immersed in water for 10 – 15 minutes. It’s very important to remember not to apply ice to the affected area as this can reduce the patient’s body temperature. Second-degree burns can lead to shock, in this instance, ensure that you lay the victim down on their back with their feet elevated 12 inches off the floor (on a chair is good). If possible, the burnt area should be elevated above the heart and the victim should be covered with something (e.g a blanket) to avoid their temperature dropping.

Third-degree burns – call the emergency services immediately! Unlike first and second-degree you should NOT immerse third-degree burns in cold water. Cover the burn with loose, non-stick bandage. Like second-degree burns, the victim should be laid down with their feet elevated to avoid shock. You should regularly check their pulse and monitor their breathing until the emergency services arrive at the scene.

Staying safe in the sea

If we’re lucky and the sun comes out to say hello, there are plenty of beautiful beach destinations throughout the UK. It’s all fun and games splashing about in the sea with each other. Please, please be aware, however, of the severe dangers of the sea as well.

Be aware. Before slipping into your swimwear, do your research. For example, you should check tide times and make sure that there will be lifeguards present during your visit. Read and obey local hazard signs.

Swim between the red and yellow flags. This is so that the lifeguards can see you if you get into any danger but also so that you don’t go too far out to sea. Never swim in the sea on your own – stay with children at all times if they are going in the sea.

If you do find that you or anyone in your group gets into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help. If you see someone else is in trouble, tell a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

If you plan on using inflatables, ensure that you stay between the red and yellow flags. You should never take them out in big waves or strong winds. We recommend that inflatables are best kept for use in swimming pools as they are lightweight and can easily be swept away from the shore.

Rip currents are strong currents running out to sea. They are a problem for surfers, swimmers and body boarders as they can quickly and easily drag you out to sea, far beyond your depth. If you get caught in a rip current:

– Stay calm

– Wade, don’t swim

– Keep hold of your board or inflatable to help you float

– Raise your hand and shout for help

– Never try to swim directly against the rip or you will get exhausted

– Try to swim parallel to the beach until you are free of the rip, then make for shore

First Aid Kit

Leading on nicely from burns, wherever you are, make sure you have a first aid kit handy because accidents can happen anywhere. A first aid kit will ensure that you can be prepared for injuries.

The HSE recommends that you have the following in your first aid kit:

– First aid general leaflet

– Sterile, individually wrapped plasters

– Sterile eye pads

– Safety pins

– Medium and large, sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated dressings

– Disposable gloves

Obviously, it is important to include things in your first aid kit that are relevant to where you are and what you are doing. Ajuda supplies a huge variety of different first aid kits here.

How safe is your building?

Posted on June 21, 2017July 1, 2019 by Dawn Evans

In light of last weeks tragic event in London, we have decided to focus this week’s blog on how to ensure that your building is as fire safe as it can be. Following on from our last blog regarding the importance of Fire Drills in the workplace, we will be highlighting prevention and protection measures that you can take. In a time where many people will be feeling incredibly worried about how to protect their buildings from fire, Ajuda will be offering a 20% discount off any of our in-house and our online Fire Safety courses.

Prevention

Fire prevention is the act of stopping fires from occurring. It is just as important to have a Fire Prevention plan in place as safety measures in the actual event of a fire.

Fire prevention measures may include matters such as:

– The prohibition of smoking on the premises.

– Adequate cleaning of work areas – keeping them clutter free. Bad housekeeping can not only cause a fire and help it spread, it can also hinder safe evacuations, obstruct access to firefighting equipment and obstruct fire exits.

– Avoiding the use of portable heaters and coolers.

– Preventing the accumulation of easily ignitable rubbish or paper.

– Regular risk assessments.

– Put in place security provisions that may help to reduce the risk of an arson attack.

– Positioning of heat sources to prevent contact with combustible material such as paper.

– Regular maintenance programmes of electrical equipment and wiring.

– Positioning of heaters and other machinery so that ventilators aren’t obstructed.

– Report electrical hazards.

– Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.

– Ensure at least one person in the building is trained in how to use a fire extinguisher correctly.

Basically, fire prevention is focused on the principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition sources separate. If something creates heat, keep things that burn away from it.

Protection

Fire protection can save lives and minimise the amount of damage when a fire does occur. Some fire measures are built into a property whereas others can be introduced later (sometimes as a result of a fire risk assessment). There are two types of fire protection measures, either active or passive controls:

An Active Control Measure requires an action by somebody or something (e.g automated system) when a fire is detected. Examples include:

– Fire alarm systems

– Smoke detectors

– Emergency lighting

– Sprinkler systems

– Fire extinguishers, blankets and hoses

A Passive Control Measure are usually physical features that have been designed to make a building safer. Examples include:

– Compartmentation (e.g. fire-resistant walls, ceilings and doors to restrict fires from spreading)

– Fire exits

– Multiple escape routes and refuges

– Clear signage and emergency lighting

If you would like to take advantage of our current discounts please click here for our online training portal and here for our in-house fire safety course.

How to ensure that your workplace fire drills are efficient

Posted on June 8, 2017May 8, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Everyone has experienced a fire drill in their lifetime. We’ve heard plenty of stories about evacuations in the cold rain or during important meetings. Whilst we may moan about the inconvenience, it is important to remember that fire drills are just as essential to fire safety and prevention as fire alarms and fire extinguishers.

We’ve put together a handy guide for you highlighting the significant of fire drills and how to implement them successfully within your place of work.

Why?

“According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a fire drill must be carried out at least once a year, and all staff must be part of a fire drill at least once a year.”

Not only is it a legal requirement to carry out regular fire drills within the workplace, there are plenty of other reasons to implement them.

– Fire drills help to form part of an effective fire protection strategy alongside fire alarms, extinguishers and signs.

– To ensure that all members of your staff are aware of their own role in the event of a fire. It is common for people to panic when fires occur, so, being clear on what is expected of them beforehand (e.g. raising the alarm) is an effective way to prevent mistakes from occurring.

– Furthermore, this ensures that all staff are aware of all areas of the building.

– Most importantly, implementing effective fire drills protects all staff and visitor from harm.

Who?

The appointed fire marshal will regulate when the fire drill takes place alongside senior management. From their training, the fire marshal will have a clear set of objectives that need to be met at each drill, e.g. the whole building being evacuated within a previously set time.

How?

1)Select fire alarm call point to be tested

2)The fire marshal must sound the alarm via the selected call point

3)Once the alarm has sounded, any fire wardens or other appointed persons (such as First Aiders) should undertake their trained role

4)All people in the building miss leave out of their nearest designated fire exit

5)Fire wardens will make sure that the areas they are responsible for are clear

6)Every person in the building must assemble at the official Fire Assembly Point

7)Fire Marshals will call register to ensure that everyone is accounted for

8)Once the objectives have been met, all personnel will be given the notification to return to the building

What to Record?

It is important that the fire marshal records each fire drill in the Fire Log Book. he fire marshal is to record the drill in the Fire Log Book. Within this, they will record:

– The date and time of evacuation

– The call point tested

– The amount of time the evacuation took

– Delays or hazards encountered during evacuation

– Additional info such as whether the alarm sounded everywhere in the building, did all automatic doors release etc.

How to Assess Outcome?

Assessing the outcomes of a fire drill is fairly simply, all you need to ask yourself is:

– Was the evacuation a success/did it go to plan?

– Did you or anyone else pick up on any issues during the evacuation?

– Does the Fire Risk Assessment need to be modified?

– How will changes be assessed in future?

How to make Fire Drills more interesting

Regular fire drills can become boring to those who have to take part. You can certainly make drills a little more interesting by preparing your staff for unexpected obstacles during their evacuation. For example:

– Lock or block a fire door

– Ask member of staff to fake injury

The whole reason we implement drills is to prepare people for the worst-case scenario. If a fire did occur, there would certainly be unplanned obstacles that might slow people down or confuse them. By adding variables such as the above, you can make your drill more realistic and monitor how staff respond to added stress factors.

What is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan?

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is an adapted evacuation plan for individuals who may not be able to access the fire assembly point without assistance within a suitable amount of time in the event of a fire emergency.

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan may be required for staff who have:

– Mobility impairments

– Sight impairments

– Hearing impairments

– Cognitive impairments

A temporary PEEP may be required for:

– Short term injuries (e.g. broken leg)

– Temporary medical conditions

– Pregnant women

If you are interested in becoming a Fire Warden for your business or would like to learn more about general fire safety, Ajuda offers both in-house or online training in this subject. For more information please contact daisy@ajuda.org.uk or call us on 029 2057 6883.

Why is food hygiene training so important to your business?

Posted on May 23, 2017May 8, 2019 by Dawn Evans

With nearly 30,000 businesses failing inspections in the UK, it’s clear that we need greater recognition of the importance of adhering to food hygiene regulations. Receiving food hygiene training is an essential part of this.

If your business produces, serves, or sells food in any shape or form, be it a restaurant, corner shop, or hotel, or an educational establishment like a school, college, or playgroup, it must be compliant with food hygiene standards. Not only is practising good food hygiene important from a legal perspective, it also crucially prevents damaging both the health of your customers and the reputation of your business. And with your food hygiene rating being publicly displayed, in-store and/or online, a good score means a better image for your business, and ultimately more customers.

As an employer, it is your legal duty to ensure that your staff receive training in food hygiene. With so much at stake, it is easy to see why such training is essential.

Don’t miss out; book yourself or your staff onto our next course at our training centre in Cardiff Bay. Email admin@ajuda.org.uk or call us on 029 2057 6883.

World Day for Health and Safety at Work

Posted on April 26, 2017July 1, 2019 by Dawn Evans

28^th April marks the World Day for Health and Safety at Work. This campaign has been ongoing since 2003. The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) annual day brings to attention the problem of injuries and accidents at the workplace. The day concentrates on how to promote a safe workplace culture and how you can reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries.

This year the ILO’s campaign will focus on the critical need for countries to improve their capacity to collect and utilise reliable occupational safety and health (OSH) data. Recording this data can help to protect from and reduce workplace injuries.

Recently we wrote a blog on how to keep your office safe, you can read that here.

As well as Health and Safety courses, Ajuda offer many other health and safety related courses such as; First Aid, Manual Handling , Fire Safety and more. For further information on any of our courses please call us on 029 2057 6883.

Health and Safety Course

This course is designed to make staff more aware of Health & safety Issues within the workplace.

The course covers many health and safety issues within the workplace such as;

– Understand current Health & Safety Legislation

– Recognise the need for Health, Safety & Welfare within the workplace

– Know the workplace and workplace equipment

– Understand the need for Risk assessment

– Understand Manual handling

– Recognise a Hazardous substance

– Understand Ergonomics and workstation design

– Describe safe systems of work in relation to Transport and vehicles

– Understand noise and vibration

First Aid Course

This course will give a good insight to dealing with basic medical emergencies.

By the end of the course the candidate will be able to;

– Describe the Role of the First Aider

– Deal with Incident and casualty management

– Recognise and undertake a Primary assessment, Including CPR

– Recognise a Choking casualty

– Airway and breathing difficulties

– Examine and treat Wounds and bleeding

– Recognise and Management of a Heart Attack

– Deal with Medical conditions

– Describe producers related Recording and reporting all incidents

Manual Handling Course

Manual Handling injuries account to 36% of all reported workplace accidents. The Health & Social Care sector accounts for 54% of all reported manual handling accidents. This course will provide a consistent approach to Manual Handling that ensures best practice in accordance with the All Wales Local Government Manual Handling Training Passport & Information Scheme.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

– Describe the function of the spine

– Examine & Discuss Manual Handling Legislation

– Discuss Company Manual Handling policy’s

– Describe Ergonomics

– Examine and Discuss Manual Handling Risk Assessment

– Discuss safe handling procedures

– Explain the need for effective teamwork & communication

– Demonstrate safe inanimate load handling

Fire Safety Course

This course highlights the typical role of a fire warden or fire marshal within a workplace. Additionally, this course will give delegates an understanding of how fires start within buildings and the tools to assist with the development and implementation of emergency evacuation arrangements.

Introduction to Our Online Training: Food Safety, Fire Safety, and More

Posted on April 20, 2017July 1, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Whether you’re an individual or a business, online courses can be the ideal solution for meeting your training requirements. Ajuda’s cost-effective and high-quality online courses have trained individuals and companies from various industries, such as food, sports, education, and construction; to name but a few.

We’ve summarised some of the online courses we have on offer below, along with their prices – which, starting from just £15, make online training a very attractive option for individuals/businesses on a budget.

Food Safety

Our online training in Food Safety is a popular choice for people employed or seeking employment in the food industry. The courses cover the core topics of food safety, including legislation, personal hygiene, hazards, and prevention of contamination, giving you an all-round knowledge of how to practise good food hygiene.

There are several options from which you can choose according to the nature of your job role and your workplace environment:

Level 1 Food Safety. This comes in three different industry-specific versions: Manufacturing, Catering, and Retail. The qualification is ideal for anyone who needs a basic knowledge of food safety; this could be a new employee with minimal existing food safety knowledge, or an employee who handles wrapped or low-risk foods.

Price: £15 + VAT

Level 2 Food Safety (again in Manufacturing, Catering, or Retail). This detailed course is suitable for anyone working in a setting where food is prepared, cooked, and handled. It provides the knowledge needed to keep your workplace safe and compliant.

Price: £25 + VAT

Fire Safety

Our online fire safety courses are a great alternative to classroom-based learning. Employers can ensure that staff have the necessary fire safety awareness for their workplaces with these courses, which include:

Basic Fire Safety. The course modules cover essential topics such as the common causes of fire, preventative measures, and actions to take in the event of a fire. It also gives a basic introduction to using fire extinguishers.

Price: £25 + VAT

Fire Marshal. It is compulsory that workplaces have a sufficient number of fire marshals. This course explains the role of the fire marshal and gives a more extensive knowledge of fire safety than the Basic Fire Safety course.

Price: £35 + VAT

Fire Extinguisher. This will train you in the different types of fire extinguishers, when they are used, and the protocol for tackling fires.

Price: £25 + VAT

Asbestos Awareness

This course is designed for those who come across asbestos in their work, particularly construction industry workers. The modules cover all aspects of asbestos awareness. By taking the course, you will be able to recognise the different types of asbestos and know how to avoid the risks.

Price: £35 + VAT

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Covering all you need to know about hazardous substances, our COSHH online training course is aimed at anyone who is exposed to such substances in the workplace, as well as line managers with responsibility for these people.

Price: £35 + VAT

To learn more about these courses, and see what other courses we offer, please visit our website: https://www.ajuda.org.uk/online-training/. You can sign up for a free trial account and access the first module of any course for free!

Bookings of 25 or more courses can receive numerous discounts. Call our office on 029 2057 6883 for more information.

*Our RoSPA, IATP, IFE, IIRSM & CPD approved courses are owned by VideoTile Learning Ltd and are distributed under licence.

Hello Spring! Making your office safer with a little spring cleaning

Posted on April 12, 2017July 1, 2019 by Dawn Evans

This past week we’ve finally said hello to the sunshine and it feels great so it’s a grat time for spring cleaning!

With the lifting of the weather it feels like the perfect opportunity to do some spring cleaning around the office. Although offices tend to be low risk work environments, there are still plenty of hazards that can be avoided with a simple tidy up.

Read on to find out our suggestions for a safer office environment:

– Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of office injury. According to HSE, slips and trips cause 40% of all reported major injuries in the workplace. Avoid these occurring by staying clutter free – ensuring that items such as files and boxes are stored in their correct location where they are not likely to be tripped over.

– Wire Management! We cannot stress enough how simple yet effective this one is. Wires are clear trip hazards particularly if there are many wires in a room that need to be plugged into the same area. Try cable tying wires together or using a wire duct to protect them and avoid trips. Also make sure that computer wires are going off the back of the desk not the front. If there are a lot of wires going to the same area, a surge protected extension box is important to keep electricity under control in the room. Also, ensure that wires that aren’t in use are unplugged.

– Check that all electrical items in the office are PAT tested.

– Safe stacking. Do you have a cupboard that is full of documents or items that have no place elsewhere? We do! Ensure it’s safe by storing heavy objects such as boxes close to the floor to avoid them being knocked over. Also ensure that you do not exceed the load capacity of shelves or storage units.

– General housekeeping of the office can really impact how safe it is. It is important to have an effective housekeeping plan in place to help eliminate common hazards. For example, regular cleaning and tidying ensures that walking areas are clear from trip hazards and escape exits are not blocked. It is also important to minimise fire hazards such as cardboard and dust.

– According to The Health and Safety Act (1981) is a legal requirement for employers to ensure that adequate facilities, equipment and personnel are available should an employee be taken ill or are injured at work. How many people trained in First Aid at Work required at your premises is depends on its size however, we recommend that every employee is trained in at least basic First Aid. This will mean that colleagues can act in the correct way with confidence if their medical assistance is required. This knowledge boosts morale and confidence within the workplace.

– Now is the perfect time to check that first aid kits are in date and fully stocked if not already done. This is something that should be checked relatively often – by delegating the task of checking every month the risk of stock running out or out of date is minimised

– It is also a good idea to check that all fire alarms are working, extinguishers are in date and there is an efficient fire plan in place.

– Last but definitely not least, we strongly recommend having at least several of your staff trained in Fire Safety and the Role of the Fire Marshal. This will mean that in the case of a fire, panic and human error can be reduced. Essentially this could save lives.

Make your home safer with these expert tips

Posted on April 6, 2017July 1, 2019 by Dawn Evans

In the apparent safety of our homes and the rush of our everyday lives, we may not pay much notice to hazards. It is easy to think that accidents at home, compared with those that take place on roads or in workplaces, are less frequent or severe. However, the reality is that every year thousands of accidents leading to death or injury happen at home.

The good news is that these accidents are often avoidable. Making your home a safer place begins with identifying the hazards in your home, and deciding on the best measures to eliminate or reduce them. That’s why we’ve outlined some of the major hazards in the home, and some ways in which you can improve home safety.

Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls are one of the biggest safety risks in the home, particularly if you have young children or elderly family members.

To minimise the risk, you can take the following precautions:

– Ensure that staircases have secure flooring and a sturdy handrail fitted at a suitable height.

– Falls often occur at night or in poorly lit places, so well-lit staircases – preferably with a light switch at both the top and bottom – are essential.

– Always keep steps free of clutter. Try to avoid putting anything down on the steps, even temporarily.

– Clean up spillages in the house immediately.

– Look for hazards such as worn or loose flooring, slippery mats or rugs, holes and cracks in outdoor pathways, and trailing cables. Make sure that all flooring is in good repair and minimise slippery surfaces.

– Never place rugs at the top or bottom of the stairs. Consider using non-slip underlay to keep any rugs in place, and non-slip strips or mats in the bath or shower.

– If there are young children in the home, ensure that you have an appropriate safety gate installed. Wall-mounted safety gates are generally recommended for the top of the staircase, as they can withstand more pressure than a pressure-mounted safety gate. They also do not have a bottom rail, so there is less of a tripping hazard.

Poisoning

– Store chemical products high up on shelves – both in the house and in outdoor sheds – in order to limit children’s access to them. Child-proof locks on cabinets will give added protection.

– Where possible, purchase products with child-resistant packaging.

– Avoid keeping medicines in drawers, purses or clothing.

– Be sure to keep chemical products in their containers; do not use any other container for storage purposes (for example, drink bottles or food containers).

– Do not mix cleaning products together, as this may result in harmful fumes or chemical reactions.

– Keep small batteries out of the reach of children.

Fires

– Over 200 people in the UK died in house fires in 2015, and the likelihood of dying in a fire is at least 7 times greater if there are no working smoke alarms in your home.* Therefore one of the most crucial steps in making your home safe is to ensure that smoke alarms are correctly fitted, regularly tested, and well maintained.

– It is a good idea to make a fire escape plan for your home, and discuss with household members the actions that should be taken in the event of a fire. Make sure that exits aren’t obstructed, and that everyone is aware of where door and window keys are kept.

– Avoid leaving the kitchen while you’re cooking, particularly when you’re frying food. Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of house fires.

– Take extra care when loose-fitting clothing when cooking if possible, as this can catch fire easily.

– Don’t exceed the maximum current rating of electrical sockets by plugging in too many appliances. This is particularly important for appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and microwaves, which use a lot of electricity. One plug per socket is ideal.

– If you use candles, put them in candle holders, and make sure that they are positioned safely, away from objects that may catch fire such as paper or curtains. Remember to put them out before leaving the room, and especially before going to bed.

*Source: https://firekills.campaign.gov.uk/

Red Nose Day Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Posted on March 28, 2017July 1, 2019 by Dawn Evans

In aid of Red Nose Day on 24th March, Ajuda hosted a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to raise money for the very important charity. The money that is raised on Red Nose Day funds more than 2,000 projects throughout the UK, addressing issues such as homelessness, mental health, dementia and vulnerable young people. The money also helps 11.7 million people across Africa, tackling issues such as immunisation, malaria, education, maternal health and much more. Since launching in 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion to help drive positive change using the power of entertainment.

After weeks of deliberating in the office about what we could do to raise money for this great cause, Managing Director Dawn came up with the idea of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (we’re all mad here!).
Considering the fact that we are only a small office, we are incredibly proud that between us, we fundraised £50. Every member of staff got involved by dressing up and bringing snacks to work and a fantastic afternoon was had by all. The total amount of money raised by Comic Relief this year is a staggering £73,026,234 so far.