Client: Teagasc                 Case Type: Training

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority is a semi-state organisation providing integrated, research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and to rural communities. It employs over 1,500 research scientists, advisers, teachers and administrative staff at over 100 locations.

Teagasc is committed to the promotion of Safety, Health and Welfare at Work. In 2006, 21 Teagasc staff successfully completed nifast’s two-week in-company Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Certificate course. A further 22 staff are undertaking this training programme in 2007. These staff members will take on the role of Safety Officers in the organisation, which is to advise and support management on all issues relating to staff safety, health and welfare. The 2005 Act requires organisations to have “competent” staff to advise on health, safety and welfare matters.
The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Certificate course takes into account modern approaches to health and safety and risk management. The course reflects common management systems that many organisations have in place and gives guidance to students on how to include health and safety into such systems as well as how to manage and control common hazards The course aims to provide candidates with the key skills required to perform their role as a non-specialist in occupational safety, health and welfare and understand the wide range of issues facing their organisation.

“The most critical value of the course was being updated in regard to information on changes to the legal requirements of health & safety in a place of work”
John O Halloran, Teagasc Cork

“Great course, very informative and well delivered”
John Kennedy, Teagasc Meath

“The course is very useful for people working in the area, both for the general overview and the updating on laws and procedures in H&S that it provided”.
Peter Whyte, Teagasc Tipperary