What Health And Safety Training Is Mandatory?

While not the most exciting aspect of running a business, health and safety training is crucial.

There are strict rules governing health and safety training in the UK, so businesses are mandated to prepare their employees for any potentially dangerous situations that might arise while working. What makes planning health and safety training trickier is that the level required often differs between industries and even job descriptions.

That’s why we’ve created this guide; to help businesses understand their obligations to providing a safe workplace and safeguard their employees.

What legislation should businesses be aware of?

UK businesses must comply with several key pieces of health and safety legislation and regulations to ensure a safe working environment for employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Here are the most important ones:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Health and Safety (First Aid)  1981
• Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992
• 2005 Fire Safety Order
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002
• The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

This list isn’t exhaustive; additional regulations might apply in high-risk industries. Ensure you have all the relevant information before creating your training program.

When Is Health and Safety Training Legally Required?

To put it simply, every business in the UK is subject to health and safety training obligations – the only difference is the extent of mandatory training. 

Some jobs are more dangerous than others, so the level of training required by the law reflects the potential dangers – an office worker won’t be exposed to the same risks as a builder.

Companies involved in mining, construction, entertainment or other areas where the risk of physical injury is high need to prepare their employees and teach them how to stay safe, such as how to use personal safety equipment.

The UK’s national health and safety regulator lays out the legal requirements employers must follow. Laws and regulations vary by region, but there are common scenarios where health and safety training becomes mandatory:

• New Employee Onboarding: Whenever you bring in new employees, they must receive training on workplace safety protocols, potential hazards, and emergency procedures. This helps ensure everyone understands their roles in maintaining a safe work environment from day one.
• Introduction of New Equipment or Processes: If your company introduces new machinery, tools, or operational processes, relevant employees must be trained on how to use them safely. This is crucial to prevent accidents and injuries related to unfamiliar equipment or practices.
• Role-Specific Requirements: Due to the nature of the job, some roles require specialised safety training. For example, construction workers, chemical handlers, and those working at heights need specific training to handle their unique risks safely.
• Changes in Legislation: Whenever health and safety regulations are updated, employers are responsible for providing training that reflects the new requirements. Staying compliant protects your workforce and keeps you on the right side of the law.
• After Incidents or Accidents: If a workplace accident or near-miss occurs, it may be legally required to conduct a safety review and provide additional training to prevent future incidents.
• Regular Refresher Training: Many industries require ongoing or periodic safety training to ensure employees remain aware of best practices and any new risks. Regular training helps reinforce a safety culture and keeps everyone up to date.

Neglecting these legal requirements can result in fines, legal actions, and a damaged reputation. More importantly, it puts your employees at risk. Regularly reviewing your training programs and staying informed about legal requirements is critical to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.

Most employees see these programs as highly beneficial – 70% were highly satisfied with the training content, and another 28% were somewhat satisfied.

How Should Your Health and Safety Training Program Look? 

Every business has unique needs, so it makes sense that health and safety programs should be tailored to fit each organisation’s specific situation. While legal requirements are the most important considerations, the size of the company, the nature of its work, and its available budget also play a role.

Before putting a plan into action, there are a few key questions to consider:

• Who will be responsible for conducting the training?
• How long will the training take?
• How often should training sessions occur?
• Where will the training take place?
• Who will track attendance?
• How will the effectiveness of the training be evaluated?

It’s important to note that the time the employees spend attending the mandatory training courses must be within the standard working hours, and it has to be paid for. 

After recent changes, employee contracts that started after 2020 must clearly state the need for training and whether it will be reimbursed, as proscribed by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Streamlining Health and Safety Training with External Help

With health and safety training, there’s a lot to keep track of, and getting it wrong could cost your business.

If you’re unsure about managing health and safety training alone, Safety Hands are here to help businesses across the UK with all mandatory training needs.

Our training and courses are designed to help businesses of all types and sizes comply with legal obligations and improve workplace safety. Your staff are your most valuable asset; Safety Hands health and safety training helps them increase their skills, knowledge, and competence. 

Contact us today to see how our services can support your team.