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Specialist Training

Specialist Training

The University Safety Service is also committed to the provision of additional training by arrangement to meet the special needs of individual staff members and/or Departments. Please contact University Safety Service to arrange specialist training.

Additional training for specialist roles may include:

Course Title: Course Description:
Accident-Investigation:

This training course provides participants with an understanding of why incident investigations are carried out and provides the practical skills required for anyone who is, or may be involved, in accident or near-miss incident investigation, including Managers, Supervisors, Department/School Safety Co-ordinators and Trade Union Safety Representatives.

After completing this course, participants should:

1. Understand what accidents and incidents are (including near-misses) and how they are caused.

2. Understand the reasons for reporting and investigating accidents and incidents.

3. Be able to carry out an accident investigation at work and recommend improvements to help prevent it happening again.

AED - Defibrillator Training:

This is a short one-hour workshop providing training for staff in the use of a heart defibrillator, (AED - Automated External Defibrillator), using a combination of theory, video and hands-on practice.

Biological Safety and Genetic Modification:

This seminar begins with general safety while working in a laboratory using biological agents. It covers legislation, classification of pathogens, controls, containment laboratories, safety cabinets, sharps, BioCOSHH risk assessment, Schedule 3 microorganisms, cell cultures and waste. The second part of the seminar deals with genetic modification and covers definitions, legislation, classification, GM risk assessment, environmental risks, oncogenesis, vector hazards and GM project approval procedures.

Hand Arm Vibration:

This Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) training course raises awareness of the dangers associated with hand arm vibration.

Laboratory Chemical Safety:

This course is designed for Departmental COSHH Supervisors, Project / Research Leaders, Technical Staff in supervisory roles and indeed all staff who work with potentially hazardous substances in a laboratory environment.  The aim is to raise awareness of responsibilities under the COSHH Regulations and what is required to comply with them.  It covers COSHH and DSEAR Regulations, the legal framework, conducting a risk assessment, strategies to control the hazards, procedures in case of an emergency, record-keeping and evaluation procedures.

Laser Safety:

This course is designed for new and existing research students and staff who are required to work with lasers in the course of their work and provides refresher training for existing Departmental Laser Safety Supervisors. This course aims primarily to provide awareness of the risks associated with laser systems and processes involving laser systems and to provide advice on the assessment and control of those risks. It will cover laser systems, classification of lasers, risk assessment of laser systems, eye and skin protection, and choice of laser safety eye-wear.

Noise Awareness

(for line managers):

The course is designed for line managers of staff who work in environments where noise levels may be an issue or where there is prolonged exposure to noise.  The course aims to inform managers of their legal duties under the  Control of Noise at Work (NI) Regulations, 2006, so that they will be better equipped to manage the risk from noise more effectively.  The course will highlight why noise control is so important in the workplace and will provide examples of the risks to health and safety that noise can pose.  It will also cover risk-assessments, noise measurements, action and limit values, as well as some practical techniques to eliminate risks from noise, and how to make best use of hearing protection and health surveillance. 

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)

Designed for Managers, Supervisors and Technical Staff in a supervisory role with the aim to provide management with an understanding of the machinery related legislation including the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and how they relate to the equipment that is used in the University. The course will cover an introduction to PUWER and the law on work equipment, suitability of work equipment, and maintenance and inspection of work equipment, protection against specified hazards, mobile work equipment.

Radiation Safety:

X-Rays:

This course is aimed at staff who are working with or responsible for equipment which generates x-rays. Staff will learn about x-rays; their nature and properties and the effects of ionising radiation on the body, recognise the hazards of working with x-rays and why it is important to keep exposures ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ and learn good working practices such as the use of radiation monitors, dealing with emergencies etc.

Safety in Fieldwork:

This course is designed for staff who have responsibility for organising and managing field work and field trips, and aims to outline the requirements of the Universities sector guidance and to enable Schools to develop risk assessments and health and safety management systems for field work and field trips. Course covers management planning and preparation, field work risk assessment, emergency planning and procedures, assessment and review.

Strategic Health

and Safety

Risk-Management:

This course is designed for Health and Safety Co-ordinators and Senior Management who are involved in managing health and safety. The aim of the course is to enable Management to develop strategic health and safety risk registers and risk management plans for the management of health and safety within Schools and Directorates. The course covers Strategic Risk Assessment, Health and Safety Risk Registers, Risk Management Plans, Assessment of Risk Control and Review of Risk-Management.

The Safe Transport of Class 6.2 Materials by Air:

This course will provide staff with the skills and knowledge required to correctly prepare shipments of Class 6.2 materials for transport by air. The aim of the course is to ensure that staff can locate key information from all sections of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and can classify Category A and Category B infectious substances, patient specimens and exempt shipments.  Staff will also need to be able to correctly package,  mark and label a consignment in compliance with the IATA Regulations.

The Safe Transport of Class 6.2 Materials by Air (Refresher):

This course has been developed for staff who have previously completed the 'Safe Transport of Class 6.2 Materials by Air' course and who are familiar with the subject and technical manuals. 

Work at Height:

The aim of the training presentation is to help staff reduce risks, accidents and incidents from working at height as well as assist the Schools and Directorate demonstrate compliance with legal requirements.  The training considers:

  • What the Work at Height Regulations require,
  • Risks of working at height,
  • Selection of suitable equipment,
  • Inspection of equipment,
  • Safe use of Ladders and Stepladders.

 On completion of training course, participants will be able to follow the hierarchy for managing risks from working at height, taking steps to avoid, or reduce risks, and have an understanding of the correct equipment for working at height.

Additional and specialist safety training can also be provided by arrangement with external organisations. Courses offered include:

  • First Aid at Work (Click here for more details on First Aid training and policy)
  • Forklift Truck Operation
  • Portable Electrical Appliance Testing
  • Radiation Protection Supervisor - General Course
  • Radiation Safety: Open and Sealed Sources
  • Safe Use of Liquid Nitrogen in Universities
  • Using Gas Cylinders Safely within Universities
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