Training is not just a requirement; its provision is demanded by legislation.
“The provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees”.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, Section 2(2)(c)
To ensure your business does not fall foul of health and safety law in 2025
- Conduct risk assessments as and when required.
- Provide training regarding the risks involved and how to manage them.
- Update training provided – Click Here for Kingfisher’s Training Brochure.
- Supervise risk management, as necessary, until competence is demonstrated.
- Regularly review risk assessments and associated safe systems of work.
Why is training needed?
When identified by risk assessments as a way to control risk, training can give employees or other relevant workers, safe working methods to ensure, that they will conduct the work, in a safe and healthy manner.
The training provided should help to control the risks being faced. Consider what is actually needed, not what it would be nice to achieve. It is easy to get carried away and provide a gold standard but consider the legal requirements and match the training to the level of risk.
Follow the hierarchy of control.
Training, whilst vital, is not a standalone option. Risk must be managed accordingly. A risk assessment should demonstrate these have been heeded in the right order.
Elimination – The most effective because the hazard is removed, or the work no longer provides the risk as it is not conducted the same way. If elimination cannot occur, then:
Substitution – The hazard is replaced with a less hazardous option, i.e., an irritant is replaced by a less irritating substance.
Engineered Controls – This means that a mechanical methodology should be used where appropriate. I.e., in a woodworking environment, use of equipment is not avoidable, and the creation of wood dust cannot be easily avoided. But, through the provision of LEV, (Local Exhaust Ventilation), the amount of dust in the breathable atmosphere should be reduced, if not removed.
Administrative Controls – This may involve making changes to operational processes, work schedules, or introducing signage or warnings in the workplace. It could be as simple as taking a regular break to manage exposure to noise when working next to loud machinery.
Lastly, there is provision and use of PPE – If nothing else can be done to completely remove the risk, then PPE should be provided. Such provision would include clothing, gloves, masks, and other items that protect the body from exposure to a hazard.
Rely on training, not competence.
Competence simply means “having the necessary knowledge, skills and experience,” and the mistake is thinking that training is all that is required, when it is the training knowledge translated into meaningful actions.
If managers are supervising operations, then they will need to understand the processes they are supervising. This may mean that they take identical training as the workforce but may also need to attend an additional ‘supervisors’ course’.
Do not forget health.
Health is sometimes forgotten when safety concerns become the focus. With almost two million workers currently suffering from a work-related health condition, it is important that the risk assessment process looks at training that will protect both mental and physical health.
Do not forget that managers and supervisors also need some form of training to effectively manage their own, and their subordinates’ risks.
If you need help with any health & safety related issue do not hesitate to contact your health & safety consultant.