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This course will provide delegates with a foundation of environmental and sustainability knowledge to build on.

This course covers the basics in health and safety management whilst giving management the tools to introduce new workplace controls, implement sensible changes and reduce workplace risks.

The NEBOSH National General Certificate is the most widely held health and safety qualification of its kind in the UK.

This UKATA course will teach delegates to work safely with asbestos and ensure theirs and their colleagues' safety.

This course improves knowledge and practical understanding of hazards, risks and controls of working at height.

Heart Month is an important opportunity to raise awareness of heart health and the steps we can all take to reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Your heart is a powerful, hardworking organ that pumps blood around your body every minute of the day, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products.&nbsp;Understanding how the heart works, what increases the risk of heart disease, and how everyday lifestyle choices affect heart health can help you take control of your well-being.&nbsp;&nbsp;This Heart Month, learning more about your heart is a simple but effective way to support long-term health and protect the organ that keeps you going.&nbsp; <h2 id="537d8a28-ef6e-42c2-a1f8-d688692f88ed" data-toc-id="537d8a28-ef6e-42c2-a1f8-d688692f88ed">Heart Health: Key Takeaways&nbsp;</h2><ul><li>This Heart Month, small, consistent changes can make a big difference to your heart and overall wellbeing&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Understanding how your heart works helps you recognise the importance of protecting it&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Cardiovascular disease risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and inactivity&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Uncontrollable risk factors - Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as age, family history and sex - but many can be managed&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Healthy lifestyle choices like balanced eating, regular exercise, good sleep and stress management support long-term heart health&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Knowing CPR can save lives in a cardiac emergency and is an important part of community heart health&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 id="bb006b14-d52d-47b5-b2ff-db6b8b64f91f" data-toc-id="bb006b14-d52d-47b5-b2ff-db6b8b64f91f">&nbsp; Heart Health: Understanding how your heart works&nbsp;</h2>The heart delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body, whilst also removing waste products as blood travels around the body.&nbsp;It is divided down the centre by a structure called the septum. The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body, while the right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.&nbsp;When you breathe in, oxygen enters the lungs and passes into tiny air sacs called alveoli. These alveoli allow oxygen to move into the bloodstream and travel to the heart. At the same time, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and exhaled. This process is essential for maintaining healthy heart and lung function.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 id="ecbc8572-daa3-4722-af1f-a4ec43e5aed7" data-toc-id="ecbc8572-daa3-4722-af1f-a4ec43e5aed7">Key parts of the heart and their functions&nbsp;</h2>The heart is a muscular organ, about the size of a fist, and made up of four chambers. The two upper chambers, known as the right and left atria, receive blood as it enters the heart. The two lower chambers, the right and left ventricles, pump blood out of the heart.&nbsp;There are four main heart valves (tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral and aortic valves). These valves act as one-way gates, preventing blood from flowing backwards and ensuring it continues to circulate in the correct direction.&nbsp;The heart also had its own electrical system. Electrical impulses trigger consistent, rhythmic contractions of the heart muscle, helping to maintain a steady heartbeat and ensuring blood is pumped effectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 id="92bd8ebc-c20d-4605-ba63-66ec3c5cb5a8" data-toc-id="92bd8ebc-c20d-4605-ba63-66ec3c5cb5a8">How blood flows through the heart and body&nbsp;</h2>Blood flow through the heart follows a precise and continuous pathway. Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium and passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then pumps the blood to the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released.&nbsp;&nbsp;Oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium and flows through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. The left ventricle then pumps the blood to the rest of the body.&nbsp;The heart is protected by a sac called the pericardium and is supplied with oxygen and nutrients by the coronary arteries. Because the heart works non-stop to keep you alive, so taking care of your heart should be a top priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 id="293af07b-1b8b-4ac4-88fe-8f2ad5c8a389" data-toc-id="293af07b-1b8b-4ac4-88fe-8f2ad5c8a389">Cardiovascular disease and heart disease risk factors&nbsp;</h2>Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels and is one of the leading causes of heart attacks. Several factors can increase the risk of developing heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.&nbsp;Understanding these risk factors is essential for prevention, as many of them can be managed or reduced through lifestyle changes and regular health checks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 id="60276642-f5ac-44f1-ba5d-49f85d45851b" data-toc-id="60276642-f5ac-44f1-ba5d-49f85d45851b">Uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease&nbsp;</h2>Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be changed. The risk of heart disease increases with age, particularly for men over 45 and women over the age of 55. A family history of heart disease can also increase the risk.&nbsp;Men generally have a higher risk of heart attack at a younger age compared to women, although women’s risk increases after menopause. Certain ethnic groups may also have a higher risk of heart disease due to genetic and environmental factors.&nbsp;While these risk factors cannot be controlled, being aware of them allows for early action and prevention. Taking a proactive approach to heart health can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack and improve overall well-being.&nbsp;<h2 id="f86775d7-7593-4d06-879f-156d07845c0f" data-toc-id="f86775d7-7593-4d06-879f-156d07845c0f">Healthy lifestyle choices for a healthy heart&nbsp;</h2>Making healthy lifestyle choices plays a major role in supporting long-term heart health.&nbsp;What you eat has a direct impact on your heart. A heart-healthy diet should focus on:&nbsp;<ul><li>Fruits and vegetables - these provide fibre, vitamins and antioxidants&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Whole grains - such as brown rice, oats and wholemeal bread&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Healthy fats - found in seeds, avocados, olive oil and nuts&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Lean proteins - such as beans, fish and legumes (plants in the pea family)&nbsp;</li></ul>Food high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats should be limited as they can raise blood pressure and increase cholesterol levels.&nbsp;Regular physical activity helps keep your heart strong and improves circulation. Activities such as walking, swimming, jogging or dancing are all beneficial. Even a brisk 30-minute walk each day can help keep your heart healthy.&nbsp;Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Reducing alcohol intake and smoking are also important, as excessive alcohol, along with smoking, can weaken the heart muscle and raise blood pressure.&nbsp;Managing stress is another key part of protecting your heart. Stress is common in both work and home environments, so taking time to relax with family, friends or in nature can help reduce its impact.&nbsp;Sleep is also vital for keeping your body, mind and heart healthy. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Reducing screen time before bed and limiting fluids in the evening may also help improve sleep quality.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 id="7edfaf10-e48d-4879-9df4-9e6cf6317dd4" data-toc-id="7edfaf10-e48d-4879-9df4-9e6cf6317dd4">CPR Awareness: Knowing what to do in an emergency&nbsp;</h2>During Heart Month, it’s also important to remember that knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency can save lives. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help maintain blood flow and oxygen to vital organs if someone’s heart stops.&nbsp;▶ Watch our CPR video to learn the basic steps and build confidence in an emergency:&nbsp;<div data-youtube-video="" src="https://youtu.be/YbsybYuoJFw" data-width="100%" data-height="480" data-align="center" data-start="0"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YbsybYuoJFw" width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="true" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Learning CPR is a practical way to support heart health in your community and help you be prepared to act if someone experiences a cardiac arrest.&nbsp;<h2 id="099e048f-f704-4495-b5e9-36b22d1ca2e7" data-toc-id="099e048f-f704-4495-b5e9-36b22d1ca2e7">Looking after your heart&nbsp;</h2>This Heart Month, looking after your heart isn’t about making huge changes overnight; it’s about small, consistent choices that add up over time. You are the only person who can truly take care of your heart.&nbsp;&nbsp;By eating a balanced diet, staying active, managing stress, getting enough sleep and attending regular health checks, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. Your heart works tirelessly to support you every day, so take this opportunity to return the favour. A healthier heart means a healthier you, not just this month, but for life.&nbsp;

This Heart Month, learning more about your heart is a simple but effective way to support long-term health and protect the organ that keeps you going. 

Heart smart: tips to understand, protect and care for your heart this February

Sexual harassment will become a "qualifying disclosure" under whistleblowing law from April 2026. This will mean protection from detriment and unfair dismissal for whistleblowers making a sexual harassment disclosure. So, this will mean that a complaint or report of sexual harassment at work will be treated as a protected disclosure under whistleblowing legislation.Employers will need to update their Whistleblowing Policy to maintain compliance with the amended legislation.<h2 id="cea115fb-a14d-4667-a554-0c8d882c5935" data-toc-id="cea115fb-a14d-4667-a554-0c8d882c5935">What is Whistleblowing? </h2>UK law protects workers who raise concerns about wrongdoing in the public interest. Such concerns include criminal offenses, dangers to health and safety, environmental damage and breaches of legal duty. These protections are set out in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.To qualify for protection, a disclosure must relate to specific types of wrongdoing (such as those noted above) and be made to an appropriate person, such as an employer or regulator. Where a disclosure meets the legal test, workers are then protected from being dismissed or subjected to detriment (e.g. disciplinary action, demotion, blocked from training, etc.) because they spoke up.There is no minimum length of service required for whistleblowing protection.If a tribunal finds that a dismissal or other adverse treatment was “materially influenced” by a protected disclosure then the employer can face an uncapped compensation award.Sourced by: Gavin Parrott

Sexual harassment will become a "qualifying disclosure" under whistleblowing law from April 2026.

Changes to Whistleblowing protections under UK law

A new report by Empathy indicates a significant lack of employer support to employees when they are grieving. The report highlighted that as the UK has an ageing population there are now more people caring for ageing parents whilst simultaneously supporting their immediate families.The consequence is that an increasing proportion of UK employees are carrying a significant burden when a loved one dies. This cohort of employees have to balance months of administrative, legal, financial and emotional strain from a bereavement with attempting to stay productive at work.Empathy’s findings show employers struggle to keep pace with the increase in bereavement related pressures. The report shows a gap between what employees need and what their employer provides. This misalignment is undermining employee wellbeing, productivity, and retention.<h2 id="afcdefef-cf0d-49a6-942f-0a6c32c472c0" data-toc-id="afcdefef-cf0d-49a6-942f-0a6c32c472c0">Employer risks</h2>Employees now expect meaningful support from their employers following a bereavement.The Empathy data shows that 48% of employees that have experienced a loss would leave their job if the support from their employer was inadequate. This figure is highest amongst younger generations with 57% of Millennials and 74% of Gen Z saying they would leave if they deemed the support inadequate.The findings show that 92% of employee placed a high value on bereavement related employee benefits.23% of employees said the level of bereavement related benefits would influence their decision when considering a potential new employer. 100% of Gen Z employees placed a high value on bereavement-related employee benefits. The data indicates the wellbeing expectations younger workers now expect from their employers.<h3 id="fa7d79ed-e7c5-4963-a4de-6277ec3bf92e" data-toc-id="fa7d79ed-e7c5-4963-a4de-6277ec3bf92e">The breakdown of the most valuable benefits when considering an employer was:</h3><ul><li>23% bereavement support</li><li>17% parental leave</li><li>11% Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and counselling services</li><li>5% gym membership and fitness benefits</li></ul>Impact and cost to employers of inadequate bereavement supportThe data shows the significant and long-lasting impact of bereavement on employees.In the first 12 months after a bereavement, 30% of employees still regularly struggle to concentrate at work. Furthermore, 27% of employees acknowledged that they were less productive.The most impacted generational group are millennials. 37% regularly struggled to concentrate and 35% had lower productivity. Furthermore 16% of the cohort were frequently missing work in the months after losing a loved one.The findings indicate that a Bereavement Policy alone is insufficient and employers need to offer more to grieving employees.<h3 id="b5334649-8127-4a0f-a38c-6e71b92abb72" data-toc-id="b5334649-8127-4a0f-a38c-6e71b92abb72">Employer options might include</h3><ul><li>Holding Manager and Employee 121s to identify the support the employee needs</li><li>Giving access to an EAP (employee assistance programme)</li><li>Paying for counselling sessions (or paying for time off to attend appointments)</li><li>Paying for access to financial advice (or paying for time off to attend appointments)</li><li>Temporarily adjusting workings hours or days</li></ul>The research shows a current need for employers to be ready to step in with bereavement support that is both practical and people focused.Sourced by: Gavin Parrott

A new report by Empathy indicates a significant lack of employer support to employees when they are grieving. 

Shortfall in support from employers to grieving employees 

urn:ogc:def:crs:OGC:1.3:CRS84

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Just wanted to say a massive thank you for the training I was given. I was on the day course for asbestos non-licensed with Paul and it was brilliant. So informative, well delivered and interesting. Paul was absolutely amazing! Really nice guy, he made the session fun and enjoyable. Such a good teacher, he delivered the session really well and has such a wealth of knowledge.Look forward to hopefully coming back soon. Thanks Paul and SSG!!B. Macauly - Tony Benger Landscaping Ltd

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Tutor was absolutely amazing! So informative, well delivered and interesting.

Honest, relatable and realistic training with real world examples. Very well delivered. T. Chapman - Becton Dickinson

Equality and Diversity in the Workplace - Manuela Grossmann

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Enthusiastic and supportive instructor. I was absolutely dreading this course, particularly around presenting, but I've come away with increased confidence and new skills. Great support, thank you!N. Haddock - Mare and Foal Sanctuary

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The course information was interesting and the delivery of the course was great. Jon was a fantastic trainer, very informative and very engaging. S. Braddon - Babcock International

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The course content was really enjoyable and Andrea is an amazing trainer. Thank you so much for the last few days. I can honestly say that this has been the best course I’ve ever been on, and that’s not just down to the content. A. Burrell - Kier

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The content and pace was perfect. Andrew engaged really well with everyone on the course, making it so much more interesting than being talked at for two days. C. Driver - Kier Construction

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Heart smart: tips to understand, protect and care for your heart this February

Changes to Whistleblowing protections under UK law

Shortfall in support from employers to grieving employees

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Welcome to SSG

Latest updates

Heart smart: tips to understand, protect and care for your heart this February

Changes to Whistleblowing protections under UK law

Shortfall in support from employers to grieving employees

Featured courses

Testimonials

Training locations

We're here to help

Call us on 01752 201616