Health & Safety Training Blog

This is the first in a series of three articles which covers toolbox talks.

We have plenty of options for busy labourers, supervisors and managers who need to find a local training course that fits their hectic schedule. Read on to find out more.

As you move up the chain of command and distance yourself from the people working on the building site, factory floor or in your warehouses, it can become easy to rely on those closer to the action when it comes to health and safety.

After all, if you have a health and safety officer isn't it their sole responsibility to ensure the health and safety of everyone?

Choosing an appropriate health and safety management course, such as whether to do the IOSH Managing Safely course or the CITB SMSTS course, can be a decision that's almost as difficult as completing the course itself.

You may be looking for a health and safety training course for yourself or for your staff, and with all the options out there, perhaps you are wondering why book from this site at all when you could order directly from the course provider?

Your boss has asked for volunteers for the next cohort of first aiders in your workplace. Are you thinking about putting your name down?

Deciding whether or not to opt for first aid training may raise doubts in your mind. Questions will surface such as "Why would anyone want to rely on me in an emergency situation?" or "What if I mess up or freeze during a catastrophe?".

Once you have worked out the training requirements of your organisation you will need to arrange for training to be provided. Some training can be provided on your own premises but a lot of training will require you to attend a training centre for assessment in order to issue a certificate.

Not all jobs need the same health and safety training so there are several health & safety qualifications available to cover the requirements of different roles. Two of the biggest health and safety exam providers are IOSH and NEBOSH.

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) was set up in 1991 and is answerable to the Department of Education (DoE). It is responsible for the development of the engineering construction workforce in Great Britain and that responsibility extends to the training, skills and qualifications needed for an engineer to work on a construction site in the UK.

If you are hoping to work on any construction site operating heavy machinery such as diggers, dumpers, loaders and rollers, then you will be required to show that you are in possession of a CPCS card. You will not be able to work with this machinery unless you can show you have attended CPCS training and qualified, if you are allowed to work without one then this is a construction site you do not want to work on.