This is a multimedia training course aimed at the catering and hospitality industries – I don’t work in either field, but as we are currently undergoing a major ‘sheep dip’ in health and safety training, I thought it might be interesting to see how it could be done on a PC.

'...this would make a well-rounded
health and safety course...'

The adaptation to the catering and hospitality industries doesn’t make the package unusable elsewhere, although the graphics of industrial hobs and chef’s trousers may be distracting to some.

I was impressed with the administrative areas of this package. It is easy to see where individuals are in the course, how long they have spent on it, whether they have passed the assessments and so on.

The actual training itself is split into the following modules:

1. introduction
   
2. accident prevention
   
3. hazards and your environment
   
4. slips, trips and falls
   
5. lifting, carrying, storing and stacking
   
6. equipment safety
   
7. fire
   
8. dangerous substances
   
9. first aid
   
10. recording, reporting and notification
    
11. protective clothing and equipment

The way the modules are presented is clear and well paced, although at times I’d have liked to have gone a bit faster. There is no opportunity to skip through the modules without it being detected, which means that you can be sure someone has sat through the module.

I decided to do the slips, trips and falls module and the one on lifting, carrying, storing and stacking. The learner is taken through the theory and practice gently, with the occasional question to keep you on your toes. There is a clear explanation of the employer and employee responsibilities under the law and each section is then completed by a questionnaire as a module assessment.

As someone, who until now hasn’t really enjoyed any multimedia training packages I thought that this one was good. Combined with practical sessions where learners get to lift objects while supervised, or use fire extinguishers etc. this would make a well-rounded health and safety course.