Responsible employers do not underestimate the importance of providing employees a comprehensive health and safety training.  Not only because a plethora of legislation obligates them, but also because good employers will never disregard the welfare of their workforce.  After all, they understand that safety training is the most efficient method to protect their most valuable asset, the workers.

If you find the thought of going over pages of HSE regulations a little exhausting, don’t fret.  There is no need to pour over every leaflet to grasp the basics.  Here, we will address the most commonly asked questions about workplace health and safety training.  

Who Needs Health and Safety Training?

Everyone in the workplace needs health and safety training, from employers to managers and supervisors to tenured employees and new hires to contractors and self-employed personnel.  Why should everyone undergo training?  Because you need to create a work culture where safety is second nature to all and where employees carry out their tasks without endangering their well-being. 

Training will minimize workplace accidents and incidents. It will also reduce operational costs, lower insurance premiums, and avert potential lawsuits.  Most importantly, a healthy and safe workplace leads to a happy and productive workforce.

Employers should know the most current methods in identifying workplace hazards to be able to control them.  Managers and supervisors deliver, direct, and oversee safety policies; for this reason, they should be knowledgeable of the processes.  Experienced workers, particularly those taking in extra tasks or new responsibilities, may need to update their skills.  New hires and contractors, who are unfamiliar with the work environment, require an orientation on workplace safety procedures.  

What Health and Safety Training Might You Need?

There are various specialized instructions tailored to the needs of employees.  But everyone should undergo induction training, especially new employees, to help them adjust to the new environment.  Examples of induction training are fire safety and emergency procedure, first aid, accident reporting procedure, safe use of workplace tools, evacuation, and food hygiene. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also worth instructing all workers about infection prevention and disease control. 

Tenured employees could become lenient with safety procedures, which could lead to slip-ups or mishaps.  Additionally, their skills might have become outdated because of the development of technology.  For these reasons, it is essential to give them refresher training.  

Another useful addition to the program is toolbox talks or informal meetings that discuss health and safety information and concerns among employees.  The sessions focus on safety protocols, including training needs, incident investigation updates, and new equipment, among others.

How Can You Do Health and Safety Training 

To develop an effective health and safety training program, you should first distinguish the workplace hazards by conducting a thorough risk assessment.  The evaluation will help determine which training the employees should have to address the identified dangers. 

In-house training is conducted by another employee, usually by a manager, a supervisor, or a designated trainer.  It typically comes in lecture form, similar to that in a classroom, but sometimes involves hands-on coaching.  In-house is the most cost-effective as the company does not have to spend on external trainers or materials. 

In external training, a third-party institution provides training to the employees. This type is useful if you are looking for a professional who has specialized knowledge in a particular field.  The disadvantage is it could be costly, and the business may need to send away their workers from the workplace for a few days. 

If you are looking for flexibility and convenience, bespoke workplace training online is a suitable alternative.  There are numerous reasonably-priced online courses on workplace health and safety.  However, online learning may not be ideal for instructions that require manual practice, such as operating a tool or equipment.  It also does not offer human interaction, which could be problematic for employees who want to clarify vague protocols.