Protecting staff from harmful toxins

There are many instances where our jobs can expose us to harmful substances. Some can even be airborne making them difficult to detect without tests. Depending on the substance airborne toxins can cause serious health issues and even fatalities. If your business uses harmful toxins then it is imperative that you provide extensive health and safety training to your employees so that they can learn about the toxins they may be exposed to and how to protect themselves effectively from them. Protective equipment such as respirators are essential where there is a significant health risk and again staff need to understand how to use this equipment appropriately to avoid accidents and injury.

Supplying staff with respirators will ensure that harmful contaminants in the air do not affect employees. Any form of smoke, gas, vapour or fumes can be prevented from affecting the respiratory system by wearing a respirator. The filter with the respirator extracts any harmful substances from the air ensuring that health issues are avoided. Health and safety training is required to teach employees how to use this life saving equipment in the best way.

It is also the employer's responsibility to maintain any health and safety equipment so that it functions optimally. Equipment such as respirators should be inspected regularly making sure they have been cleaned, disinfected and any repairs carried out. Medical check up should be carried out on staff to ensure they are not inadvertently being exposed to chemicals.

In the emergency situation where there is a chemical leak staff also need to be trained extensively on how to escape in a safe way without being exposed to any toxins. Health and safety training should also cover contacting the appropriate authorities in order to manage the situation quickly and efficiently.

At Northgate Arinso we offer a full range of health and safety training to companies and can tailor training to your business needs.