Safety and hygiene at work have become a constant concern for most institutions. To this effect, a training course on Hygiene and Safety at Work and on First Aid took place at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in February. It was organized by the Consultancy Services Training Unit and by the Work, Environment and Energy Unit of the Shared Services of the University of Lisbon for all members of staff of the Shared Services of the University of Lisbon (SPUL).

The course was divided into two topics: Hygiene and Safety at Work and Basic Notions of First Aid. The main objectives were: accident at work prevention, awareness-raising of the principal causes of accidents at work, and the acquisition of basic notions of first aid to ensure they will be given in case of emergency.

Thanks to this new knowledge, it will be possible to develop and consolidate a culture of safety at the University of Lisbon, given that it is an increasingly present core issue.

Márcia Vila, responsible for the Work, Environment and Energy Unit, and Miguel Diniz, in charge of the Training Unit, answered some questions, evaluated the training course and informed when the next sessions will take place.

1. Why was this topic chosen for SPUL’s first global training course? 
Miguel Diniz: This training course was the response to a challenge the Work, Environment and Energy Unit posed to us, as they are responsible for this topic. Given that this type of training is transversal to all the services coordinated by SPUL, we believed it was a good idea.

2. What were the main objectives of this training course?
Márcia Vila: This course was the first step towards a new period at UL – concern about the safety of our members of staff. One cannot have safety without having training, information and awareness, regardless of whether employees are managers, administrative staff or technicians. This issue cuts across the entire institution and no one shall be left out. There is still a long path to tread, and we need to take the next course of action, including organizing working groups across the several Units, so that they can promote projects that improve those Units. Safety is for all and will always be guaranteed by all.

3. What balance do you make of the Training Course on Hygiene and Safety at Work and on First Aid?
Miguel Diniz: It is still a bit early to make a balance because we are still in the process of evaluating the three training courses that were carried out, but from what we have been able to assess so far, the balance is quite positive.

4. What feedback have you received from participants? 
Miguel Diniz: Feedback has been what we anticipated. As this is a very interesting area, we believed it would be of interest to the trainees, and this is what has actually happened. Comments were endless, and despite the fact it was a training course that aimed to raise awareness to the distinct aspects of hygiene and safety at work, during evaluation trainees expressed their wish to receive additional training. It was no doubt the first aid session, with its practical and theoretical components, that made this course so appealing.

5. Was this the first training course you organized? 
Miguel Diniz: Yes, the training unit was set up at the end of 2010, and we are still giving the first steps. First, it was necessary to have time to reflect, to understand the areas where we could intervene and how to go about it. There is a Japanese proverb which goes along these lines: “No matter how long the road is, it always starts with a first step”… Accordingly, the first step has been given.

6. This training course was for SPUL’s employees. Are you considering extending it to the entire UL? 
Miguel Diniz: According to the principles that underpin the concept of shared services, there is no question that our ambition extends beyond the “doors” of SPUL. We want, together with the Units, to implement a global training strategy, because we believe that together we can do more, better, and at a lesser cost. This project is still being delineated, for which reason it is premature to expand on it.
Márcia Vila: Training in Hygiene and Safety at Work is undoubtedly a good proposal, inasmuch as it is an area where there is shortage of knowledge, and, above all, lack of information.

7. What are the next training courses on the agenda? 
Miguel Diniz: At the moment we are making contacts to continue to provide training in the area of Hygiene and Safety at Work and in the area of Computing.

Tânia Ferreira
Shared Services of the University of Lisbon
tferreira@ul.pt