Required health and safety courses for newly recruited employees It is the responsibility of every employer to train new employees in health and safety - regardless of their position. In addition, this is particularly important for work that is considered hazardous. It is a requirement to provide direct supervision for this type of work. Furthermore, the employer is expected to allow access to properly secured areas - only qualified persons are allowed to be authorised for dangerous workplaces. Employees, on the other hand, are expected to strictly adhere to the prescribed health and safety rules in order to safely carry out the instructions given. 

Novices who are not familiar with health and safety standards will not be allowed to work on certain jobs. Familiarising them with health and safety rules will enable them to acquire the necessary knowledge to work in compliance with the regulations.  

Periodic training is designed for employees with seniority in the company to update their knowledge of the rules of the job - the risks and dangers involved. Once a periodic training course has been completed, the employee will receive a certificate of completion. Documentation is kept in the personnel file. 

Persons responsible for health and safety training

Training instructor giving a health and safety lecture

The provision of health and safety training can be the responsibility of both the employer and the people employed for this purpose, these include: 

  • specialised health and safety staff, 
  • persons responsible for health and safety training on assignment from the employer, 
  • Employees previously employed who have been familiarised with health and safety knowledge, in addition to holding valid course certificates.  

Validity of health and safety training 

According to the function and position, the validity of the training lasts from one year to six years after the completion of the required employee training. 

Training programme 

The training programme is based on imparting the necessary knowledge and skills when, performing work in confined and open spaces. During the course, the principles of first aid are discussed. The trainee is then familiarised with the factors involved in carrying out hazardous assignments. In addition, the use of personal protective equipment for workers is specified. It is worth mentioning the introduction to fire protection for particularly hazardous work, and the circumstances and causes of accidents are also discussed,  

Benefits for learners 

trainee chatting online with the trainer

Each trainee, in addition to receiving a certificate regarding the completion of the health and safety training course: 

  • is provided with templates for the documentation needed to carry out high-risk tasks, 
  • contributes to a significant underestimation of workplace accident statistics - fatal, serious or collective, 
  • contributes to a reduction in the high risk factor for particularly hazardous work, 
  • contributes to the protection of the health and lives of other workers, 
  • receives useful knowledge that impacts on worker safety. 

Questions and Answers

What is the validity of health and safety training?

The length of validity of health and safety training depends on the employee's seniority and position, most often certificates are valid from one to six years from the date of acquisition. 

Who can provide health and safety training?

Health and safety training can be provided by: the employer, a designated health and safety officer, other long-serving employees with a valid health and safety certificate. 

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