Health and safety training: When to refresh staff skills and knowledge

A well-trained team is a critical element of operational compliance. As an employer, you have a legal duty to ensure your staff receive suitable training, instruction, and supervision to do their jobs safely.

This requirement involves providing targeted staff safety training to all employees – both as a solid foundation during onboarding and to refresh or broaden skills as each worker progresses.

While all employees – from shopfloor staff to senior executives – require practical health and safety training, development needs differ across your organisation. Leaders must know how to set safety strategy and engage with staff on health and safety issues. Managers and employees need to understand your health and safety policies and procedures, recognise their part in implementing them, and know how to manage the specific risks of their roles.

Building a safety-aware team requires a tailored approach and ongoing support throughout each employee's development. Key training moments include:

• Onboarding. New recruits need basic induction training on safe working practices, including first aid, fire safety, and emergency procedures.
• First jobs, apprenticeships, and work experience. Young employees are particularly vulnerable to accidents, so it's essential to prioritise their training and supervision.
• Promotion and progression. People changing jobs or taking on extra responsibilities need to be aware of additional health and safety implications.
• Representative roles. Employee representatives or safety representatives require training that reflects their responsibilities.
• Skills updates or recertification. Workers with lapsed knowledge or qualifications require refresher training.

Identifying training gaps

A trusted health and safety partner can help you pinpoint the right training for your team by carrying out a structured training needs assessment. This comprehensive review examines employees' roles, skills, and responsibilities to determine knowledge and competence gaps, ensuring your safety training is relevant, effective, and cost-efficient.

In line with HSE recommendations, your provider will:

• Identify the skills and knowledge needed for people to do their job in a safe and healthy way.
• Compare these requirements against people's current skills and knowledge and highlight the gaps.
• Review your experience of injuries, near misses, or cases of ill health.
• Look at your risk assessments to see where information and training have been identified as factors in controlling risks.
• Consider awareness training needs for all staff, including directors, managers, supervisors, and frontline employees.

Based on their findings, your partner can design and deliver customised courses and comprehensive training programmes to meet your business's health and safety goals.

When to provide refresher training

Once you have a robust health and safety training programme in place, how often should you top up your team's skills? While there is ultimately no legal requirement for most refresher training, hazardous activities – such as forklift and crane operation – are typically renewed according to established industry schedules:

• Forklift trucks – 3-5 years
• Lorry-mounted cranes – 5 years
• Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) – 5 years
• Overhead/gantry cranes and slinging operations – 3-5 years
• Excavators and plant machinery – 3-5 years

Other health and safety requirements are usually refreshed in line with industry guidance:

• Asbestos awareness – annual
• Manual handling – 2-3 years
• Working at height – 2-3 years
• Fire safety / fire warden training – 1-3 years
• First aid – 3 years
• COSHH (hazardous substances) – 2-3 years
• Basic health and safety awareness – 2-3 years

Your safety partner can advise on your company's most appropriate and cost-effective training calendar, taking into account risk levels, staff capabilities, and regulatory requirements.

New courses now available

Opus provides an extensive range of courses and flexible training options to raise standards across your organisation. Choose from onsite IOSH-approved training or online courses covering general and sector-specific H&S requirements – from fire safety to food hygiene to working at height.

Safer Driving

A 12-lesson online course for anyone who drives as part of their job

With nearly 1 in 3 road deaths involving a work journey, driving awareness is a fundamental part of staff safety. This course covers the foundations of safe, lawful driving, helping you and your employees avoid the costs of road-related incidents – from physical harm and emotional distress to legal claims and reputational damage.

Key content includes:

• Legal responsibilities and penalties
• Mental and physical fitness to drive
• Vehicle checks
• Defensive driving techniques
• Driving in different conditions
• Speed management
• Sharing the road
• Mobile phones and distracted driving
• Dealing with breakdowns and accidents
• Knowledge quiz to reinforce learning

To learn more or book, email hello@opus-safety.co.uk.

Questions about health and safety training for your team? Get in touch on 0330 043 4015 or email hello@opus-safety.co.uk.