Tag Archives: “OHSAS 18001″

Arc Flash: Who’s Training the Trainers?

Whether giving or getting arc flash training, have you considered whether the trainer is “qualified,” “effective,” “proficient” or “competent” for the job?  Is the training content “adequate?”  How can we tell?  Does it matter?

Many OSHA standards require employee training, but are vague on trainer qualifications.  HazCom requires only “effective” training.  HAZWOPER specifies that trainers have “the training and/or academic credentials and instructional experience necessary to demonstrate competent instructional skills and a good command of the subject matter.”  The Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires only that the training record include “the names and qualifications of the persons conducting the training.”  No definition of credentials or “effective” training other than by performance failures, i.e., accidents.  “Competent” or “proficient” are often decided by incident investigations or lawsuits.  Remember, paperwork is the first place “they” look!

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Joint Commission Requirements for NIMS in Healthcare

A Presidential Directive established the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the “common language” for coordinated multi-agency responses for all Federal, state and local responders, including healthcare.  Hospitals are required by The Joint Commission (TJC) to implement 17 specific NIMS activities ranging from formal adoption to updated EOPs to mutual aid agreements, training and multi-agency exercises.  Coordination, planning and communication are key elements.

TJC specifies certain FEMA courses (IS-700, IS-800, ICS 100 and ICS 200), with the intended role of the responder dictating the type and depth of training required.  Trainers should have demonstrated experience as an Incident Commander in a NIMS environment.  HICS (Healthcare Incident Command System) training alone does NOT meet the NIMS requirements, but can supplement the program.  HICS incorporates standard Incident Command System (ICS) principles, but with modifications for healthcare.  IESO recommends “NIMS for Executives” for healthcare executives who need a working awareness of NIMS and their correct role in an event as facilitators.

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New OSHA 30-Hour Course for Healthcare

IESO, LLC announces a new OSHA 30-Hour General Industry course customized for healthcare. Many healthcare personnel have noted that the standard 30-hour OSHA course seems to have little in common with their needs.  This healthcare-customized course will familiarize you with applicable OSHA standards while focusing on hazard recognition and prevention.  Special emphasis is placed on those areas that are the most hazardous, using OSHA standards as a guide.  What is unique about this course is that it was designed from the ground up to meet the specific needs of the healthcare industry, and we firmly believe it is currently the first and only one of its kind. It meets all OSHA requirements for time and content, and attendees who successfully pass the course will receive their 30-hour completion card.

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IESO Client Receives First-of-its-Kind State Grant for OHSAS 18001

Philips Lighting in Danville, KY will develop and implement their OHSAS 18001 program using in-part the first-ever Bluegrass State Skills (BSSC) grant awarded for a health and safety management system.  The $25,000 grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development was the product of a cooperative effort between IESO and BSSC and their legal department.  Historically the grant program excluded health and safety from eligibility, but IESO successfully negotiated a great outcome for our client.

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