Asset Skills develops risk reduction products for cleaning
April 1st 2006 Asset Skills is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the cleaning industry. Aiming to boost the skill levels and knowledge pool of the workforce, it has a number of educational products With infection control a major issue, particularly in healthcare environments, Asset Skills has developed a portfolio of products designed to provide those working within the cleaning industry with the appropriate skills and knowledge to significantly reduce risk and potential hazards within the working environment.
Cleaning to Avoid Infection
One of the products, Cleaning to Avoid Infection, is designed to help cleaners and supervisors working within the health care environment avoid the risk of infection. The five CD interactive programme focuses on: - the importance of cleaning
- safe cleaning
- infection control
- food safety and laundry
- ensuring that hospital estate staff are suitably trained to help prevent the spread of infection in high risk areas.
The simple and cost effective modules aim to make all staff aware of and be sensitive to cleaning regimes and proper handling techniques by guiding them through a selection of scenarios including contamination and spillages, infection control and working in a team environment. The easy to use system uses the latest SCORM compliant software ensuring that each user fully understands each of the points before being allowed to move onto the next section.
The programme enables staff to feel confident and capable of making fundamental decisions when dealing with potentially lethal infections, as well as being able to be accredited to their Pathway Card, an on-line system which provides all users with a verifiable record of knowledge, experience and skills.
"The programme will provide employers with staff who have a sound understanding of hazard awareness of infection controls. They will also be competent and confident within their working environment," according to Julian Bulman, Asset Skills Business Development Manager.
Focus on NHS Cleaning Supervisors
The complementary NHS Cleaning Supervisors programme recognises that supervisors working within a hospital or healthcare environment have to deal with a complex variety of cleaning issues and potential diseases not commonly found in other industries. The seven modules guide them through a set of situations, providing the skills and confidence to identify many issues surrounding hygiene in the hospital environment. The programme, which has been extensively trailed by NHS Scotland, is currently being used by their Estates and Management Department.
Avoiding Slips, Trips and Falls
With an estimated cost to employers of £512 million a year, slips and trips can cause a serious risk to any business not making health and safety a priority. Help is at hand with, Slips Trips and Falls, a cost effective programme which helps employers and employees to understand and reduce risk associated with slips and trips at work.
Predominantly aimed at small businesses the programme guides users through the best ways of dealing with a variety of circumstances including; contamination, spillage, maintenance of plant and the work environment, housekeeping and cleaning, as well as working together.
Bulman concludes, "the great thing about all these products is that they provide all staff with the confidence and skills needed to enable them to do their job effectively and efficiently."
All the programmes can be purchased through Asset Skills. For further information on Asset Skills products, contact Julian Bulman on 01392 423399 or via e-mail jbulman@assetskills.org. For free advice on skills and qualifications issues, contact Bev Yates on 07841 362143 or via e-mail at: byates@assetskills.org.
Helpline for those considering career options
Asset Skills has launched with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) a dedicated Helpline designed to guide anyone 16 years and over through the myriad of career and learning options available to them. The free phone service 08000 567160 has experienced multilingual advisors on hand seven days a week between 8am and 10pm to answer queries and provide impartial advice on what steps to take when planning or changing career.
It is envisaged that the Helpline will switch people back onto learning, taking away some of the confusion surrounding what options are currently available and the best routes into finding the perfect job.
The helpline, which was launched in October 2005 has already helped nearly 1,500 people to the make sense of the innumerable opportunities on offer and make the right career and learning choice for their individual needs. Call the helpline on 08000 567160 More articles from Asset Skills: | 
