HSA Elearning press release

Minister encourages innovation in Health and Safety education

Friday 15th October 2010

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe, today gave his strong support for public service innovation in delivering services, particularly where such initiatives can achieve savings.  Speaking at the demonstration and launch by the Health and Safety Authority of a new suite of e-learning courses for the education sector, the Minister said that the initiative had great potential for education and awareness raising in the area of workplace safety and health and that it was also attractive for learners because it can save both time and money.  He urged the HSA to consider the wider future potential of such an initiative.

The set of modules launched today are aimed at schools’ management, teachers and students.  At the launch an interactive e learning module was demonstrated by Mike Feerick, CEO of Alison.com, a global online education company which partnered the Authority in the development.

Jim Lyons, Chairman of the Health and Safety Authority said at the launch, “We have recognised the need for safety and health training in the education sector and by developing a learning tool that is interactive, effective and freely available we can reach people at all levels.”

Mr Lyons went on to say “It’s a first for us and for those it is aimed at; it means that we can reach widely with our message and it recognises that learners at all levels benefit from the flexibility of a system which has twenty four / seven access and is matched to their own required pace”.

He congratulated the partners to the HSA in the development of the initiative - Alison.com, and Texunatech who are specialists in data collection in the Education Sector

Each module has been designed so that it can be easily updated to reflect changes in legislation and practices. Learners can use the courseware to demonstrate their understanding of safety and health concepts and facts by completing end of lesson assessments in an interactive format.

The five modules can be accessed through the Authority’s website www.hsa.ie  and through www.alison.com and cover topics such as, ‘Managing Safety and Health in Schools’, ‘Safety and Health in Science Labs’ and ‘Safety and Health in Construction’.

The initiative was supported throughout by a steering group of representatives from the HSA, the Department of Education and Skills, Second Level Support Services (SLSS), T4 (Technologies) and FÁS.

The following 5 courses are now available through  www.hsa.ie   and through  www.alison.com

An Introduction to Managing Safety and Health in Schools

This course was developed for Boards of Management, Principals and Teachers who are involved in the management of schools. The course outlines what a safety management system is and how to implement one in line with the employer’s legislative requirements under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The aim of the courseware is to increase awareness of safety, health and welfare matters and legislative requirements among school managers and other employees in the school environment.

Safety and Health in the Technology Classroom for Schools

This course was developed for teachers of technology primarily. It focuses on safety and health matters relating to specific areas of technology subjects and provides aid in identifying risks which may occur and guidance as to how these might be eliminated or reduced.

Safety and Health in the Science Laboratory for Schools

This course was developed for teachers of science primarily. The information on this course contains reference to the chemicals and experiments being taught on the leaving cert syllabus for Biology, Chemistry and Phischem.

Get Safe – Work Safe: Workplace Safety and Health for Senior Cycle Students

This course was developed as a resource for over 300 Post-primary schools already teaching the Health and Safety Course; Choose Safety or the Transition Unit- Student Safety in the Workplace. The e-learning course can be completed in the classroom or at home by pupils. The course references all of the chapters contained in the workbooks the students are using in their classrooms.

Safety and Health in Construction (Third Level Students of Construction and Related Disciplines)

This course was developed as a resource for students of Engineering, Architecture, and Construction related courses. The course gives an overview of information every students needs to know regarding the Legislative Health and Safety requirements on designers. Alison.com is a global on-line education company based in Galway Texunatech are specialists in data collection in the education sector, based in Cork. T4 is is a full time support service under the auspices of the Teacher Education Section within the Department of Education and Skills. Second Level Support Services (SLSS) is is dedicated to supporting the professional development of teachers in second level schools.