If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of working in and teaching health and safety, it’s this: accidents don’t discriminate.
Even if you’re sitting behind a desk or operating a forklift in a busy warehouse, hazards exist everywhere. And when businesses skimp on safety training, the costs can be catastrophic—both in human and financial terms.
And according to the HSE, all employees including contractors and self-employed people should be able to work safely without harming their health. This involves communicating specific guidance, providing necessary training, and supervising people to allow them to accomplish assigned roles in a safe manner.
So, what health and safety trainings should companies provide their employees in the workplace?
Take IOSH Managing Safely with THS
1. Induction Training for New Employees
When someone new joins your company, they need to understand your safety culture from the get-go. They should go through an induction training program that covers the basics: emergency exits, fire safety procedures, and how to report hazards.
I once worked with a precious metals refinery that handled dangerous substances. We taught new employees where the eye wash stations were, how to safely handle corrosive materials, and the proper way to walk through the facility to avoid tripping hazards.
Stuff like this set the tone for how seriously you take health and safety. You can’t afford to skip this step in a high risk work environment.
2. General Health and Safety Awareness
Every single employee, regardless of role, needs to understand the basics of workplace safety.
The training covers everything from wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) properly to recognizing and reporting hazards. It allows you create awareness that can prevent injuries before they happen.
I remember an incident at a warehouse where I was consulting. A worker, unfamiliar with safety signage, attempted to enter a restricted area without the required respirator. Thankfully, another employee—trained in recognizing those warning signs—stopped him in time. That’s the kind of vigilance training fosters.
3. Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
Handling chemicals without proper training is a recipe for disaster. The COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) course teaches employees how to:
- Store hazardous substances correctly.
- Use safety data sheets effectively.
- Minimize exposure and prevent health complications.
4. First Aid and Emergency Response
Accidents happen, but if your employees don’t know how to respond, things can escalate quickly. First aid training, including CPR and emergency response, is a must.
In fact, it’s a mandatory in many workplaces to have a designated first aider if you are in a high-risk environment and have over 5 employees. I’ve worked in places where having a designated first aider saved lives.
I’m not saying your whole team needs to be certified, but you should have someone who knows what to do in an emergency.
I mean a trained first aiders who can perform CPR, treat basic injuries, recognize serious medical emergencies, use first aid kits effectively and know when and how to call professional medical help.
5. Fire Safety Training
Fires can break out when you least expect them, so it’s critical that employees know how to respond.
Fire safety training isn’t just about the obvious stuff—like using fire extinguishers or evacuating the building—it’s about preventing fires in the first place. And if your business involves flammable materials, this becomes even more important.
Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, all employees must receive fire safety training when they join a company.
6. Manual Handling Training
Over a third of workplace injuries result from poor manual handling.
Lifting and moving objects like boxes, office furniture, or equipment may seem easy, but without proper technique, employees risk musculoskeletal strains or injuries.
So if your business is industries like retail, logistics, warehouses, and construction, this course would be beneficial for you employers.
For example, slips, trips, and falls are entirely preventable with the right measures.
7. Industry-specific training for high-risk workplaces
Certain sectors require more specialized training.
In construction, for example, employees need training in working at heights, using scaffolding, or handling dangerous machinery. In healthcare, it’s infection control and patient handling.
I’ve trained employees in both sectors, and each industry has its unique challenges that require tailored safety strategies.
For employees working in health and safety roles, I recommend courses like the IOSH Managing Safely. These qualifications help those in supervisory or safety roles manage risks and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
8. Risk Assessment Training
Risk assessments are essential for identifying hazards and managing risks in the workplace.
The Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require businesses with five or more employees to carry out written risk assessments.
Managers and supervisors should be trained to conduct risk assessments, such that all potential hazards are identified, assessed, and controlled. This is esp good in high-risk environments where workplace hazards may not always be immediately obvious.
9. Mental Health First Aid
Mental health is health. Period. In my courses, I often remind participants that stress, anxiety, and burnout are just as dangerous as physical hazards.
So much so that, 12.8 million working days were lost in the UK due to mental health issues in 2018/19 alone, according to HSE.
Mental Health First Aider training teaches employees how to spot signs of distress and offer support.
Refresher Trainings
Even the best training loses effectiveness over time. Refresher courses like the IOSH Refresher Courses help employees stay updated on safety practices, and maintain a proactive approach to workplace hazards.
It’s so that employees remain aware of best practices and comply with the latest health and safety standards.
Recommended certification courses from THS
Train In Health And Safety Ltd have a series of health and safety courses that businesses and organizations can use to train their staff, including:
- IOSH Managing Safely
- Mental Health First Aider
- Fire Safety Level 2
- Health & Safety in the Workplace Level 2
- Behavioural Safety Training
These courses can help ensure that your employees are well-trained, confident, and prepared to manage safety in their roles. Don’t wait—prioritize health and safety training for your team today!
Call Sam today on + 44 (0) 20 8059 3633 to find the perfect health and safety training that protects your most valuable asset—your people.
