Latest news with #COSHH
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Safety expert warns of scammers selling free online courses
A Chorley safety expert has warned the public about online scammers charging people for his content. Dale Allen, founder of the Safety-Verse, said "copycat" companies have been taking his freely available health and safety courses and selling them to unsuspecting users. The Safety-Verse offers certified training through The Knights of Safety Academy, covering topics such as online safety, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, and mental health awareness. Mr Allen said: "For years, we have proudly provided free health and safety training to over 300,000 students to help people upskill, stay safe and build careers. "Our mission has always been rooted in one thing—access for everyone with no barriers. "These resources were created to save lives, not to be exploited for profit behind closed doors. "The misuse of our content without permission is deeply disappointing, unethical and unlawful." Mr Allen said "copycat" sites were not only charging for the free courses, but also issuing the Knights of Safety Academy's official certificates as if they were their own. He is now advising people to access the courses through the official Safety-Verse platform and to report any websites offering the training for a fee. While the copying activity is a breach of copyright law, Mr Allen said his bigger concern was that people were being exploited. Mr Allen added: "It's not just about the law, it is the principle. "People deserve honesty and clarity and we want to protect the value of free, open safety education." He also warned the public to be cautious of similar schemes online, including websites that charge for government services which are otherwise free, such as getting a tax refund from HMRC or applying for child benefit. The 44-year-old became interested in health and safety after a near-death experience at the age of five, when he almost choked on a marble. His mother was able to save him by holding him upside down and slapping him on the back until the marble dislodged. Mr Allen said the incident was a turning point in his life and led him to dedicate himself to safety education. More information and free training resources can be found at
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
HSENI inspectors to visit food production premises
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has announced a new programme of focused advisory and inspection visits across the agri-food sector as part of its healthier workplaces campaign. David Lowe, acting principal inspector of HSENI's Agriculture and Food Group, said that inspectors will be visiting food production premises 'to help ensure business are protecting their workforce from long-term health problems'. 'Employers have a duty to make sure their workers are safe and healthy, especially when dealing with substances that can damage their lungs, including chemicals and grain or flour dust,' he said. HSENI Over the next year, HSNI inspectors will be visiting agriculture and food production premises in Northern Ireland to ensure hazardous substances are being handled properly and that appropriate safety measures are in place. 'They will focus on how employers manage hazardous substances in the workplace and comply with their legal duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (NI) Regulations 2003 (COSHH). 'They will also be looking more specifically at those substances which have been assigned a workplace exposure limit (WEL), which cause known health effects and where health surveillance may be required,' Lowe added. HSENI confirmed that there will be a mixture of announced and unannounced inspections. Duty holders are reminded that they have very specific responsibilities under COSHH, and they must ensure they are familiar with the regulations and complying with them fully. 'Occupational respiratory diseases are all too common, but they are also preventable. No one should develop ill health simply because of the job they do. 'If anyone has concerns about their lung health they should speak to their GP,' Lowe said. Occupational lung disease symptoms include a persistent cough, as well as severe difficulties in breathing, chest tightness and coughing up blood. Symptoms can often be painful and debilitating, affecting the person's way of life and in severe cases can prevent sufferers from leading a normal lifestyle. To help businesses prepare for visits, HSENI has created a checklist that outlines what inspectors will be looking for, which is available on the executive's website.
