iSafe Consulting

A significant percentage of workplace accidents in Ireland is due to vehicles, specifically those used to lift items. Forklifts, in particular, are considered very dangerous as they have caused numerous incidents that resulted in serious injuries and unfortunate deaths.

The thing is that many underestimate the potential of these lifting trucks to cause harm. In fact, several companies still do not comply with legislation requiring them to mitigate safety risks associated with forklift use in their workplace. For one, some are not diligent in ensuring that their employees complete forklift training courses.

Please do not commit the same mistake if you truly want to keep your employees safe, avoid costly fines and expensive legal battles.

Case in point:

Earlier this year, a company was ordered to pay over €40,000 for failing to conduct a risk assessment and implement safety measures following a forklift accident that resulted in the death of their employee three years ago.

Stories such as the one mentioned above are clear reminders for companies to never neglect their safety obligations. If you use forklifts in your workplace, then you have to ensure that you adhere to the Government’s safety requirements. One of these is to enrol your workers in forklift training courses.

Who Should Take Forklift Training Courses in Ireland?

It is mandatory for workers who operate forklifts to undergo training. As mentioned earlier, this specific vehicle can be a safety hazard, particularly when it is not handled properly. They can cause accidents that cost time, money and even lives.

Forklift training courses are designed to minimise the dangers these trucks pose. They equip students with the competencies needed to safely operate these vehicles as stated in Ireland’s health and safety legislation.

What Forklift Training Courses Are There?

Different types of forklift training courses are offered in Ireland – each one designed according to the skill level of the intended students.

Beginner Forklift Training Courses are for novices who need to operate these lifting trucks as part of their daily duties. In this program, these new and inexperienced drivers learn about the basic skills needed to properly and safely operate the most common types of forklifts.

Intermediate Forklift Training Courses are for experienced operators who want to earn a formal certification.

Refresher Forklift Training Courses are recommended for workers who want to brush up on their knowledge and skills in operating these trucks. It is also for those who want to be recertified. In case you didn’t know, the certifications are typically valid for three years.

What to Expect from Forklift Training Courses in Ireland

Programs offered by reputable training providers meet the standards set by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The specific objectives vary for each course, but all of them have one goal – ensure that forklifts are operated properly to reduce workplace accidents.

Aside from correct driving techniques, participants are also going to learn about safely loading and unloading items. Moreover, they are taught the right way of refuelling or recharging as there have been incidents of workers getting injured from fires or explosions while doing this task.

The course also tackles the legislations on health and safety in the workplace, including those concerning the use of forklifts. More importantly, it teaches them how to inspect the vehicle and assess situations to identify potential hazards early on.

At the end of the course, participants need to take a written and practical test. After passing the assessment, they would receive their certificate which is usually valid for three years.

The course duration varies per provider but typically ranges around one to two days. A qualified instructor, usually one with extensive experience in operating forklifts, teaches the class. Hence, you can be certain that your workers are going to learn from the best.

Most employers ensure that their workers are equipped with what they need to be able to do their job. They see to it that they are given training and tools essential in meeting their KPIs. What some organisations fail to do though is to make sure that their people are equipped to give first aid to their colleague when the need arises.

Illnesses and accidents may happen anytime in the workplace. This is why it is important for employees to get basic first aid training.

Basic first aid training: what is it about?

It is a course designed to equip employees with the knowledge and practical skills needed to provide first aid treatment to an injured or ill person in the workplace.

In this program, they learn about the basic principles of first aid, roles and functions of first aiders and the legislations about first aid at work in Ireland.

They also get trained in providing treatment to injuries that do not require the attention of a nurse or medical practitioner like minor cuts. They are taught how to assess emergency situations as well as prevent the patient’s condition from worsening.

Simply, this course enables employees to render the help needed to preserve the life of an injured or ill colleague. It is the perfect program if you want your employees to have basic first aid knowledge and skills.

It should be noted though that this course is different from a first aid responder (FAR) course. The latter is the required program for designated first aiders of companies.

Occupational first aiders are basically the point persons when situations requiring first aid treatment arise in the workplace. They take charge of the injured or ill employee until medical assistance arrives.

As per the Health and Safety Authority’s Guidelines on First Aid at Places of Work, occupational first aiders need to complete a PHECC FAR training course. This extensive program runs for at least three days, involving no less than 18 contact hours.

Importance of enrolling employees in a basic first aid training course

Admittedly, companies are only legally obligated to give first aid training to their occupational first aiders. But it is in your best interest to ensure that most of your employees get at least basic first aid training.

As mentioned earlier, employees can get injured or become ill at work anytime, even when your designated first aid responder isn’t around. This shouldn’t be a problem if you have several qualified occupational first aiders. But if you only have one and he isn’t around, your only recourse is to tap an employee who’s at the worksite to take charge. The thing is that your chosen worker can only provide limited help if he hasn’t taken any basic first aid course.

According to the HSA, what an employee without basic life-saving training is allowed to do is to get the needed assistance immediately and see to it that no other incidents that can worsen the condition of the injured or ill person would happen.

Since he is not trained, he cannot administer first aid. This means that the patient needs to wait until a trained medical professional arrives. Not getting immediate treatment can put the injured or ill individual in a precarious situation. The problem could escalate, resulting in complications or even the loss of life.

Simply put, enrolling your employees in a basic first aid training course can save lives. It can also significantly reduce incidents of accidents and injuries as the program makes employees more conscious about safety.

Moreover, it can increase workers’ confidence in the safety of the workplace. Knowing that there are several people trained to provide first aid can make employees feel safer. This is great for your business as reports say that productivity improves when employees feel safe at work.

In conclusion, giving your employees basic first aid training may cost a lot, but it’s worth spending on with all the benefits it offers. It won’t just make your company safer and more productive but also enable you to potentially save lives.

Prioritising the health and safety of employees is of paramount importance for companies, regardless of their type and size. This means creating a work environment where workers’ risk of getting sick or injured is minimised or eliminated. This can help organisations improve employee productivity and consequently, boost their bottom line.

But keeping your workplace hazard-free can be challenging, especially with the Government requirements you have to comply with. Fortunately, there are health and safety consultants who can help you with this challenging endeavour.

What Are Health and Safety Consultants?

They are professionals who are highly knowledgeable in occupational health and safety requirements in Ireland. They are also well aware of the best practices in every industry to minimise work-related hazards.

Health and safety consultants primarily assist organisations in minimising risks that can lead to illnesses or injuries. They provide advice and guidance to companies to make the work environment safer for their employees.

These professionals handle a host of tasks essential in minimising workplace hazards. They carry out risk assessments, create safety statement and provide health and safety training, amongst others.

Simply put, these consultants are partners of organisations in complying with Irish legislation and requirements on health and safety at the workplace. They are the experts that companies need to avoid Government sanctions and more importantly, to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries.

Benefits of Hiring External Health and Safety Consultants

Ensure 100% Compliance

Getting external consultants means hiring experts who know what your company needs to do to comply with existing safety regulations.

Furthermore, with the consultants’ years of experience, you can count on them to do what is needed without causing unwanted interruptions in your operations.

Hiring external consultants instead of designating some of your current employees to do this job is also about having a fresh pair of eyes. Identifying potential hazards, especially the seemingly minor ones, can be difficult for people who are immersed in day-to-day activities.

Save Time and Money

You can trust seasoned consultants to accomplish all the tasks needed quickly without sacrificing quality. With experts at the helm, you can stop worrying about safety compliance matters and devote your time to running your business. All these enable you to save time and effort.

Hiring external consultants can mean monetary savings as well. Employing an in-house health and safety professional can be expensive, so many organisations opt to outsource this service.

Avoid Legal and Financial Woes

Reputable consultants provide high-quality service for all their clients. They are able to do this because of their extensive knowledge and experience.

To add, independent health and safety consultants are not bogged down by your organisation’s previous safety records. Moreover, they are not compelled to create a report that makes your company look good in terms of safety compliance. Their primary focus is to provide an unbiased assessment of your safety culture.

The thorough and excellent job they do allows you to make the right improvements and put essential safety measures in place. These help you avoid expensive payouts and legal sanctions associated with work-related illnesses or injuries.

In summary, hiring external health and safety consultants is a smart choice – one that allows you to work with experts without breaking the bank. Just make sure that you carefully choose the consulting firm you hire for you to truly reap the benefits of this option.

If you want to educate workers about proper workplace fire prevention and response, you might want to consider adding a fire safety instructor certification under your belt.

Fire may not be the most common cause of occupational accidents in Ireland, but this does not mean that it is a rarity. A significant number of workplace fire incidents all over the country are recorded each year. Many of them typically happen in outdoor storage units and agricultural buildings.

Just like in domestic fires, those that occur in commercial establishments and workplaces have catastrophic effects. They can cost companies tons of money. They can even cause injuries and even deaths.

Why Get Fire Safety Instructor Training in Ireland

Workplace fire is undeniably a threat to the safety of employees. This is why the government requires businesses to have measures in place to prevent fire and mitigate its effects.

One of the requirements all companies need to comply with is to ensure that their employees undergo basic fire awareness training. On top of this, they are required to designate a fire warden and ensure that the chosen employee gets the training he/she needs to perform this role well. As such, there is a constant need for programmes that teach employees proper prevention and response during a fire.

Moreover, fire safety certificates are only valid for a certain number of years. For example, iSafe’s Basic Fire Awareness certificate is valid for 3 years. This means that workers need to retake the course to brush up on their fire safety knowledge and get re-certified.

Suffice to say, you can expect that there will always be demand for these types of courses. So, if you are looking to expand your occupational safety training credentials, taking a fire safety instructor course is a smart decision.

Fire Safety Instructor Training in Ireland: Quality Matters

There is no shortage of courses designed for those who want to teach fire safety to workers in Ireland. But if you want to be a competent trainer, possibly one of the best in this field, you should enrol in an excellent fire safety instructor training programme.

A high-quality course is comprehensive, providing you with all the information that a good fire instructor should know – legal requirements, risk assessment, fire prevention and detection, etc. More importantly, it teaches you how to effectively deliver fire safety courses to others.

One of the hallmarks of a well-designed course is that it provides students with the competencies needed to teach all kinds of fire safety courses such as basic fire safety awareness training, fire warden training and fire extinguisher training. This is a programme worth taking as it allows you to cater to a wide range of clients – i.e., workers with different fire safety training needs.

A high-quality fire safety course is not just comprehensive and well-designed. It is also taught by a fire safety expert. On top of being an experienced trainer, he/she should have the needed Occupational Health & Safety qualifications.

Other Facts About Fire Safety Instructor Training in Ireland

When searching for a high-quality course, check out top-rated Health and Safety training providers in Ireland like iSafe. Considered the best in the industry, these organisations have a proven track record for developing excellent courses which are designed and taught by experts.

To find out which amongst these programmes you should enrol in, you can read reviews from people who have taken them. These testimonials provide a wealth of information, from how comprehensive the course is to how good the instructor is.

When you finish a legitimate fire safety instructor course, you are going to receive a certificate which should be valid for at least 3 years. But before you get a certificate, you need to take and pass an assessment like a written test. This is how reputable training providers ensure that their participants learned what they need to and are equipped to teach fire safety courses.

Do you want to become a fire safety instructor in Ireland? Enrol in our course and have the competencies you need to successfully provide fire safety training for employees in Ireland. Call us now on 085 124 5555 or fill out our contact form to learn about our training schedule.

A company, regardless of its size, is required under Irish laws to put in place measures that can minimise their employees’ risk of getting injured or hurt while doing tasks.

It can be costly for companies when employees suffer from workplace accidents. These can lead to huge payouts as well as lower revenues.

When workers get injured or sick, they won’t be able to perform their tasks like they used to before the accident. Worst, they might not be able to go to work at all. These things can affect overall workforce productivity and result in a drop in revenue.

Hence, it is important to keep your employees safe and healthy not just to avoid government sanctions but also for your business to stay profitable.

When it comes to creating a safe work environment, enrolling employees in manual handling courses should be a priority for employers like you.

Why Are Manual Handling Courses Necessary?

To properly answer this question, we need to first define what manual handling is. Manual handling pertains to a wide range of activities wherein the body exerts force to handle any object. This may involve pushing, pulling, lifting, moving or carrying a load.

Improper manual handling accounts for over a third of workplace injuries based on the data gathered by the HSA. The issues can range from minor aches to debilitating musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).

Reports show that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common kinds of occupational injuries that are linked with absenteeism. Manual handling has been identified as the leading cause of MSDs amongst employees.

To minimise the risk of staff members suffering injuries because of activities involving lifting or carrying, the Government has requirements that organisations must adhere to. One of them is to provide training to staff members who perform manual handling tasks.

What Are Manual Handling Courses About?

The course teaches participants techniques they can use when doing manual handling activities to minimise their risk of getting injured. It also arms them with the knowledge they need to determine what equipment or aids they can use to perform the task with ease.

Moreover, the training equips them with the information needed to conduct a risk assessment on any manual handling activity and determine the best course of action.

Basically, a well-designed manual handling course does not just enable participants to do their task properly and safely but also turn them into safety advocates in the workplace. When potential hazards are spotted, you can trust them to come up with solutions that will mitigate the risks.

Taking the Best Manual Handling Courses in Ireland

You should not have difficulties finding a manual handling training provider in the country. Do a quick search online, and you’ll find numerous companies offering this programme. The real challenge lies in identifying which provider offers the programme that meets your employees’ needs.

It should be noted that manual handling training is not a one-size-fits-all type of programme. The training should be relevant and specific to the industry and the employees’ roles or tasks.

While the basics of manual handling are the same across different industries and activities, workers do not lift the same objects and they also do not lift them in the same manner. Moreover, workplaces have different hazards and these can’t be mitigated in the same way.

So, ensure that your chosen provider is experienced in providing manual handling training in your industry. Furthermore, the company should be known for its comprehensive and well-designed training programmes.

Aside from the quality of their course, find out if the company has excellent customer service. You most likely have a lot of work-related concerns, and you wouldn’t want to add to this by picking a provider that is difficult to deal with. So, make sure that you check out what previous clients say about the quality of their service.

In summary, ensuring that your employees undergo manual handling training can protect your business from financial losses and legal woes. But don’t enrol your employees in just any programme. Pick a course that is truly going to provide everything they need to reduce their risk of getting injured and make them do their jobs better.

Employees are the lifeblood of any organisation. Keeping them healthy and safe is essential for businesses to succeed. When employees get sick or injured, enterprises lose precious manhours which can significantly hurt workforce productivity.

The thing is that a number of workers suffer from illnesses or injuries brought about by hazards in their workplace. Each year, occupational accidents result in millions of losses for companies due to compensation payments, loss manhours and higher insurance premiums, to name but a few.

The effects are even more far-reaching for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that employ only a few workers. Relying only on one or two people, these organisations suffer a lot from the prolonged absence of key employees who get sick and injured.

Fortunately, workplace illnesses, injuries and fatalities are preventable with proper health and safety training.

Health & Safety Training in Ireland: Why Businesses Should Invest in It

Accidents may happen in all types of organisations, big and small. Even employees who are supposedly doing low-risk tasks may still experience workplace mishaps which can cause illnesses or injuries.

Hence, whether you own an SME or manage a multinational company, it is in your best interest to invest in health & safety courses for your employees.

Comply with Government Requirements

In Ireland, it is the responsibility of companies to provide a safe working environment for their employees. They are required to conduct risk assessments in their workplace as well as create action plans to eliminate or minimise hazards.

The legislation (Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005) also requires organisations to educate and train their employees on health and safety. The type of training that should be provided varies depending on the industry and work done by the employees.

Failure to comply with this requirement can put the company in a precarious situation. As seen in several court cases like the Homan v Etmar Ltd case, companies that fail to provide employees with the necessary training were found to have breached their statutory duties and ordered to pay huge amounts.

Train Employees to Safely Do Tasks

These health & safety courses are designed to teach workers the proper and safe ways to perform specific tasks. During the sessions, they are shown the correct methods and recommended techniques, so they can accomplish their jobs efficiently and without any dangers.

The courses also equip them with the know-how to accurately assess the environment and task, specifically determining what hazards are present. Doing this allows them to employ the actions that minimise their risk of getting into an accident.

Create a Positive Health & Safety Culture

Successfully avoiding or reducing workplace accidents is a collaborative effort between employers and employees. It entails developing a culture wherein workers themselves actively participate in keeping their workplace safe. But this is only possible when employees have a thorough knowledge of workplace health and safety.

More than just teaching workers how to properly do their tasks, the courses aim to instil workplace safety awareness. They show employees the impact of workplace hazards on employees and employers. More importantly, they arm them with the information needed to mitigate the dangers in their workplace.

Effective Health & Safety Training in Ireland

While it is your duty to provide training to your employees, you do not have to do it on your own. There are several companies in Ireland that offer health and safety training like iSafe.

Enrolling your employees in courses offered by a third-party is an excellent choice. It is all about ensuring that your workers get adequate and proper training.

You see, it is not just about the number of hours but also the quality of the education they would be getting.

It is imperative that employees receive adequate training. This means that they should be equipped with the knowledge and skills essential in minimising accidents while doing their tasks.

More importantly, they should understand the content of the course. The training will be all for naught if the employees fail to comprehend the information.

Furthermore, when workers do not understand the course content, the courts may still find you liable for any workplace accident even if you’ve provided training.

In the Justyna Meus v Dunnes Stores case, the company was ordered to pay damages despite providing training as it failed to check if the employee understood the course.

Trusted health and safety training providers like iSafe offer courses which are created and taught by qualified professionals. Moreover, they ensure that assessments are given to determine if participants understood the course.

Simply put, with these reputable companies, your employees get effective health and safety training. After completing the course, you can expect them not just to properly do their tasks but also champion safety in your workplace.

There is no denying that the pandemic has drastically changed a lot of things including how companies run their day-to-day operations.

Last year, before the Government eased restrictions following the lockdown, it released a Return to Work Safely Protocol that organisations need to comply with.

The guideline is geared towards minimising the risk of the dreaded virus spreading in the workplace. It shows the changes organisations need to make to comply with the HSE’s COVID-19 public health protection measures.

In the Protocol, companies are required to have a designated COVID-19 compliance officer. It is also the organisation’s duty to ensure that the appointed employee gets the training needed to be able to effectively perform his duty.

What Does a COVID-19 Compliance Officer Do?

To understand what a COVID-19 compliance officer training is about, you have to know first what a compliance officer does.

Basically, the employee taking on this role is responsible for ensuring that the company and its employees do their part in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.

The compliance officer takes part in designing a plan to reduce the risk of infection in the workplace. This includes making adjustments or changes in the company’s processes and procedures to fully comply with COVID-19 public health protection requirements.

More importantly, the compliance personnel is responsible for implementing the plan and monitoring the adherence to the control measures. The officer also takes the lead in managing situations of possible COVID-19 infection involving an employee.

What Is a COVID-19 Compliance Officer Training?

It is a programme designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure that their companies adhere to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

After completing the course, the participants should be fully aware of what a compliance officer does, including the importance of the role and the responsibilities associated with it. They should have a thorough understanding of COVID-19 – its symptoms, how it is transmitted and how it can be prevented from spreading.

The course also teaches participants how to identify high-risk areas and activities in the workplace and what measures can be put in place to reduce the chance of employees contracting the virus. Furthermore, it teaches would-be compliance officers the steps that should be taken when someone in the workplace exhibits symptoms or tests positive.

How to Choose a COVID-19 Compliance Officer Training Course in Ireland

You should not have a hard time finding a provider of this course in Ireland as many training companies are offering it. It should be noted, however, that not all these providers offer high-quality training. Hence, you must carefully choose the programme that your designated compliance officer should take.

Pick a course that is offered by a reputable health and safety training company. With a trusted provider, you can be certain that they have a programme that is well designed and created by experts.

For example, iSafe – Ireland’s top health & safety training provider – offer a COVID-19 compliance officer training course that incorporates the Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol as well as HSE & HSA guidelines. The course was also designed by consultants who were part of the panel to advise the Government on the Return to Work Safely Protocol.

With a top-notch course like iSafe’s, you are guaranteed that your employee acquires the competencies needed to reduce the risk of infection in your workplace and keep your employees safe.

It is not enough though that you pick a well-designed programme. You also need to ensure that the course is taught by an expert trainer with relevant industry experience. How good the trainer is has an impact on how much the participants will learn from the programme.

Many of the information you need to determine the quality of the training course are found online. In fact, some training companies post pertinent details on their website. But do not just simply rely on the information you get on their site. Try to read reviews from previous participants to ascertain the quality of the programme and the service offered by the company.

Every workplace in Ireland needs to have a first aider available all the time as stipulated in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. A first aider is a person qualified and certified to do first aid in an emergency. This is a requirement you cannot neglect.

Remember:

As an employer, it is your duty to keep your employees safe. Failure to comply with health and safety requirements can lead to hefty fines and even tarnish your brand.

Clearly, it is imperative that you have people who are certified to provide first aid. The number of first aiders at your workplace largely depends on the size the of your company.

Finding a first aid course your employees can take should not be difficult as there are a number of training centres that offer it. But choosing the programme your employees would be enrolling in can be challenging with the numerous options available.

So, we’ve put together a guide below to help you pick the best first aid course for your company.

Check the Accreditation of First Aid Course Provider

Find out if the training provider is recognised by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA).

When the trainer is accredited, you can be certain that its course adheres to the standards set by the organisation. Hence, your employees are truly going to get the knowledge and training they need to perform their duties as first aiders.

The endorsement or ‘seal of approval’ from the HSA and other governing bodies also serves as a guarantee that the trainer is legitimate. This means that the students are going to receive certificates that are valid for 2 years upon completing the course.

Know the Type of First Aid Course Offered

Of course, your chosen provider should have the kind of course your employees need. Unbeknownst to many, there are different kinds of first aid programmes – Basic First Aid, PHECC First Aid Responder and PHECC Cardiac Response.

The Basic First Aid course is for those who want to be qualified and certified to administer first aid. As the course title suggests, it teaches participants the basics of providing first aid treatment.

The PHECC First Aid Responder (FAR) course is the programme that the HSA requires employees to take to be qualified to provide occupational first aid (OFA). This replaced the old QQI Occupation First Aid (QQI OFA) Course effective June 2018.

Apart from learning the basics of first aid, the PHECC First Aid Responder course teaches participants the importance of their role as the first aid responders in their workplace. It also discusses what they are responsible for as a first aid responder. It trains them on how to assess and handle ill or injured employees in the workplace.

As compared to the Basic First Aid course, the PHECC FAR programme is more in-depth – tackling various topics and developing several skills. The entire course takes 18 teaching contact hours, the minimum time required by the PHECC.

The PHECC Cardiac First Response (CFR) course is specially designed for those who want to be equipped to handle situations involving cardiac arrest.

This is important as cardiac arrest is one of the top causes of death worldwide. It can also happen anywhere, including the workplace.

This course is meant to provide participants with a special set of knowledge and skills – the kind needed to help someone suffering from cardiac arrest.  This includes administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Check Out the Training Centre’s Reputation

Aside from offering high-quality courses, it is important for your chosen training centre to have a good reputation. It should have trainers who have the needed credentials and are equipped to train participants effectively. The company should also be known for providing excellent service.

You can gather information using the traditional method – asking people you know for feedback.

Another option is to search for reviews online which is what a lot of people do these days. All you need is to visit online business directories and fora to view the feedback from previous students.

Keep in mind, choosing the best first aid course matters. You are not enrolling your employees in this course just to comply with government requirements. You want them to learn everything that is needed for them to be able to help out their fellow employees in case of an accident or medical emergency. Simply put, you want them to save lives.

Is your business ready to re-open once the Government eases restrictions and gradually opens up the economy? Have you complied with the requirements stated on the Return to Work Protocol released on the 9th of May 2020?

The Protocol outlines the steps employers and workers need to take, before resuming their operations, to mitigate the risk of COVID 19 infection in their workplace.

Some of the key obligations employers like you need to fullfil are:

Conduct a risk assessment

Develop and regularly update a COVID 19 (C-19) Response Plan

Appoint and train a C-19 Compliance Officer or Lead Worker Representative

Induct and train all returning employees, including those who are already working but have not gotten any training on COVID-19

Develop and implement health and safety protocols for preventing the spread of the virus on work premises and dealing with suspected COVID-19 cases

Reviewing and updating the plan or policies to adhere to changes in Government guidelines

How Can iSafe Consulting Help Your Company?

The iSafe Consulting team can give comprehensive support on how your business can comply with the Protocol.

We can develop a customised return to work plan for your company, ensuring that government-mandated COVID-19 protection measures are integrated with your standard operating procedures (SOPs).

We can assist you in reviewing and updating your policies when Government guidelines change. We can also provide training for your employees and compliance officers.

Our consultants were part of the Government’s advisory panel on the Return to Work Safely Protocol. So, you can count on them to give expert advice and assistance on how you can protect your employees and visitors/clients when you re-open your business or as you continue to operate during the pandemic.

Selling a house on your own is difficult even with the availability of several online property portals. This is why it is important to hire a real estate agent to make things easier and less stressful for you.

Plus:

Working with the RIGHT estate agent can significantly increase the odds that your house will be sold quickly and at the price that you desire.

Signs that You Hired the Right Dublin Estate Agent

But how do you know if you hired the right estate agent? Below are some of the signs that indicate that you’ve chosen the best person to sell your house:

Have the Credentials and Knowledge

First, the right agent is someone who has the license and other qualifications to sell a house. So, make sure you ask for proof of credentials (like an ID or certificate) to ascertain that the person you are working with is qualified to sell your home.

He should also demonstrate in-depth industry knowledge. An agent who is not knowledgeable would avoid answering your questions or provide unsatisfactory answers to your queries.

Experienced in Selling a House Like Yours

It is not enough that you hire an agent who is licensed and knowledgeable. It is essential that he is also experienced in selling a property in your price range.

You see, selling a house that is worth millions is not the same as selling one that is priced under €500,000. A different set of knowledge, skill and network are needed per price range to successfully sell the property.

To be more specific, an agent who has been selling high-priced properties knows the kind of open house activities that would get the attention of wealthy buyers. Moreover, they understand exactly what these kinds of buyers want. Hence, they are able to employ the needed strategies to quickly sell the house at a good price.

Communicates Well

The right estate agent is aware that regular and proper communication is integral to the success of this endeavour. Hence, he keeps you informed about the plans and updates you of any progress.

At the onset, he makes an effort to get to know you and find out what your expectations are. But the right agent doesn’t just listen; he also assesses if what you want is feasible and lets you know his thoughts for transparency. He offers valuable feedback, insights and recommendations to ensure that the goals are achieved.

If your chosen agent satisfies these requirements, then you are in good hands. When you are working with the right person, you can be confident that selling your house is going to be hassle-free from start to finish.

How to Avoid Hiring the Wrong Estate Agents in Dublin

Here’s the thing:

Many homeowners like you want to work with the best agent. Unfortunately, not everyone gets what they want. Some end up with the wrong agent, resulting in a stressful working relationship and even an unsuccessful project outcome.

But…

Hiring the wrong agent is preventable. When you know what to look for and employ a meticulous hiring process, you can significantly minimise the chances of you getting an unqualified person to sell your house.

Basically, the first thing you need to do is to be thorough during the selection process. Make sure that you speak with at least three prospective agents before deciding which one to hire.

Some people tend to hire the first person they speak with. Do not commit this mistake. Keep in mind, even if the first candidate performed well, it is better to interview multiple people so you can compare them against each other and select the best one.

Never forget to check the reputation of the agents you are eyeing. Nowadays, top-rated real estate agents or companies do not just have Internet presence but also excellent online reviews. So, make sure you check online testimonials from previous clients to find out if the agent truly renders first-rate service.

Lastly, do not hire someone just because he has low fees. The services of an expert do not come cheap. If you want to sell your house fast and get a good closing sale price, be ready to spend a bit.

The Covid 19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic is easily the biggest challenge in our day to day lives over the past 50 years. iSafe pride ourselves on helping our clients protect their staff and business without incurring unnecessary costs.  Our services not only help you identify the adequate control measures to prevent the spread of C-19, we have also identified a range options to make your business functions more efficient.

There are a range of financial aids available to business to ensure that they can re-open in a safe manner from both Enterprise Ireland and your Local Enterprise Office. Talk to one of our consultants today to see what services you can avail of from these aids.

DID YOU KNOW? iSafe Expert Consultants were part of the panel to advise the Government on the “Return to Work Safely Protocol”. Therefore we are well placed to help provide the best advice to your company to comply with the new protocols.

iSafe are an approved vendor for both Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices

Business Continuity Voucher

The new Business Continuity Voucher, available through Local Enterprise Offices, is designed for businesses across every sector that employ up to 50 people.

The voucher is worth up to €2,500 in third party consultancy costs and can be used by companies and sole traders to develop short-term and long-term strategies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal is to help companies make informed decisions about what immediate measures and remedial actions should be taken, to protect staff and sales.

iSafe Consulting are an approved provider of these services. Call us today +353 85 124 5555 and we can help with your application.

Up to €2500 towards your Covid 19 Safety Needs

What can the voucher be used for:

Covid 19 Response Plans

Return to Work Health &  Safety Plans

Covid 19 Strategy

Update to existing documentation

Covid-19 Specific Training

Covid-19 Induction Pack

Covid-19 Risk Assessments

Business Continuity Risk Assessments

E-learning services

Call us today to discuss your needs: +353 85 124 5555

Covid 19 Services

Covid 19 Response Plan

In response to the Government “Return to Work Safely Protocol” which is applicable to all sectors, iSafe Consulting have put together a detailed C-19 Response Plan to help direct you and help your business return to work safely. This plan can be funded under the Business Continuity Voucher from both Enterprise Ireland and your Local Enterprise Office. As iSafe Expert Consultants were on one of the advisory panels to the Government on this we feel we are well placed to give you the best advice available.

Covid 19 Health & Safety Plan

Safety Statement - Covid 19 Update

Covid 19 Risk Assessments

Covid 19 Audits/Surveys/Inspections

Covid 19 Compliance Officer Provision

DSE/VDU Assessments

Covid 19 Training

Upcoming COVID 19 courses

Employers must ensure that all their employees are inducted and trained in COVID-19 infection prevention and control before going back to work, according to the Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol. They should also see to it that employees who are already working get specific COVID-19 training.

Here at iSafe, we offer a C-19 Infection Prevention and Control Training that equips employees with the knowledge they need to keep themselves and their workplace protected from COVID-19.

Our course content incorporates the recommendations set by the Government, HSE, HSA and NSAI on the management of COVID-19. Our programme enables employees to apply the best workplace practices in mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection and support their C-19 Compliance Officer or Lead Worker Representative.

Covid 19 Infection Prevention and Control Training

Who Should Attend

This virtual course is for all employees in different sectors who are going back to work when their companies re-open. This is also for employees who are currently working but have not taken this specific training.

Course Objectives

Max Attendees

Duration

Assessment

Certification

It is expected that COVID 19 (C-19) compliance officers are going to become commonplace in workplaces when businesses in Ireland start reopening after the lockdown.

In the Government’s newly released Return to Work Safely Protocol, companies and organisations are required to appoint a lead worker representative who is going to be responsible in ensuring that COVID-19-related protocols are observed in the workplace. Representative bodies for various industries, like the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), have included the same requirement in their guides.

This new role was created to ensure that COVID 19 public health requirements are incorporated in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of businesses in Ireland. The goal is to protect the health of the workers, minimising their risk of contracting and spreading the infection in the workplace.

As per the Government protocol, the person undertaking this role must receive proper training to ensure that he/she performs the role well.

iSafe offers a COVID 19 Compliance Officer Awareness Training Course that is industry-specific. It is well-designed, integrating the recommendations from the Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol, HSE & HSA as well as the best practices from the NSAI and the representative body of the sector where the business belongs.

After completing our virtual course, the participant should have the competencies needed to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus in his/her workplace as well as protect his/her fellow employees from getting infected.

C-19 Compliance Officer Training

Who Should Attend