Workplace Health & Safety Training: More Than a Legal Obligation

Some might be inclined to approach the topic of health and safety in the workplace from a requirement/” tick in a box” point of view. However, whilst it is one way of going about it, one must also keep in mind that, according to the UK Government’s Health & Safety Executive’s website, over 200 people are killed, and over a million are injured, in accidents at the workplace.

Regardless of sector, there are always risks and hazards at work, therefore, a company should take a hands-on approach towards the type of training provided to employees. A legal requirement is simply the baseline regarding what companies should do for their employees. Taking extra precautions is always a good idea, too.

With so many different sectors and training programs to choose from, how does one even begin to sift through the various options?

The basics of health and safety training: what you ought to know

Picking the right type of training scheme is no easy task, which is why narrowing down the best options is key to any decision.

Further research is always highly encouraged, but the most sought or recommended training courses and safety regulations are:

·         CIEH Levels 1, 2 & 3:

o   Level 1: gives an introduction to & covers key health & safety issues within the workplace & teaches attendees how to keep themselves & others free from harm. This level also discusses legal responsibilities.

o   Level 2: ideal for those responsible for health & safety across sectors such as facilities, care, logistics & warehousing. Risk assessment & prevention, safety management processes & critical health & safety legislation is all covered in this module, including when things go wrong.

o   Level 3: essential for those in a supervisory role requiring a thorough understanding of health & safety in their line of work.

·         NEBOSH General Certificate: course attendees will learn the UK’s fundamental legal health & safety legal requirements, how to effectively assess & manage workplace health & safety, as well as identify potential hazards. Available on national (UK) & international levels.

·         NEBOSH HSE Leadership Excellence Certificate: this course covers the moral, legal & financial reasons for prime health & safety conditions at the place of work.

·         NEBOSH Safety Simplified: a 3-day course that creatively uses augmented reality to help attendees visualise what they’re being taught. It allows them to gain skills that will help make a real contribution to health & safety within their organisation.

·         IOSH Managing Safely & Working Safely:

o   Managing Safely: this course’s main aim is to help improve safety awareness culture within a workforce, which will also help increase productivity levels.

o   Working Safely: high-impact program designed to get attendees involved thanks to non-intensive jargon that focuses on teaching people what they need to know in practice.

·         First-Aid Training: low-risk environments such as small offices must have, at the minimum, a first-aid box & a person appointed to take charge of first-aid arrangements, such as contacting emergency services. Workplaces with greater health & safety risks require trained first-aiders.

·         Fire Safety Training: proactivity, in this case, is vital, as even a small fire can pose grave danger. Different types of fires must be dealt with differently; an electrical fire requires different action than a gas one, for example.

·         Mental Health Training: these courses provide knowledge of how to provide a better support system to employees, as various aspects of mental health are addressed, such as safety, equality, diversity, discrimination, bullying, harassment & conflict.

Let the experts guide you

There’s plenty more detail to all the courses and schemes mentioned above, along with a plethora of qualifications to earn. Of course, there’s no ceiling on health and safety – you can’t do too much training - so employers have a moral obligation to provide their staff with the best possible resources to ensure a secure working environment.

In addition to legal obligations, going above and beyond also signifies to employees that their employer cares about them, which helps boost morale and fosters a better team spirit. Team events can be organised around health and safety; for example, for fire training procedures, members of staff can all get an opportunity to put out a fire with a fire extinguisher.

There’s plenty more to learn about health and safety in the workplace, which health and safety courses that may be suitable and flexible booking dates and locations to explore, so we encourage you to get in touch with us today so we can discuss the best possible options for you and your company.