Health & Safety Training
 

Health and Safety Training

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is concerned with the health, safety and welfare of employees at work. The Act outlines the duties of the employer and those of the employee when in the workplace.

Duties of employers:
To ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees at work. Provide safe equipment and safe systems of work in a safe working environment. Provide instruction, information, training and supervision.

Duty of employees:
To take reasonable care of their health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Comply with the requirements imposed on their employer under any of the relevant statutory provisions. To cooperate with his employer to ensure that all the legal obligations of the employer are met

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, so the law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health. They have to protect both employees and others who may be exposed, by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (as amended). COSHH is a useful tool of good management which sets eight basic measures that employers, and sometimes employees, must take.

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

By reporting the above, to the HSE, it allows them to identify trends in frequency, and causation of accidents. It also allows them to help and advise on suitable preventative action.


The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999:
The Management of Health & Safety Regulations 1999 illustrates the need for risk assessments to be carried out so as to minimise the risk of injury to employees. It also places responsibilities on employees to work in such a way as is consistent with training they may have received. There is also a requirement for them to highlight and report any circumstances that maybe hazardous.

Duties of employers
It is necessary for employer to make suitable and sufficient assessment of any risks to the health and safety of their employees. Any risk assessment carried out, must be reviewed if it is no longer valid or the situation to which it refers has changed. Where risks are identified, it is necessary for the employer to establish procedures to minimise that risk. The employer shall nominate a number of competent persons to implement the appropriate procedures. The results of the risk assessment should be made available to employees. The employee will receive adequate training on recruitment and at regular intervals thereafter.

Duty of employees
Must use equipment in accordance with the training they received. Inform the employer of those members of staff not complying with safe systems of work provided. Inform the employer of any shortcomings in their health and safety procedures. HSE (1999).