The Importance of Health and Safety Training

Introduction

More than 1 million people are injured at work every year and 2 million suffer illnesses caused by their job, according to the Health and Safety Executive. These figures underline the importance of proper Health and Safety training, so that employees and managers know the current regulations and how to prevent accidents at work.

Industries that require health and safety training

Most industries can benefit from health and safety awareness and training, with certain industries being more prone to hazards than others, and therefore requiring specialist training, such as the mining and oil sector. While working in a restaurant might not carry the same risks as working underground or in an industry where the risk of explosion is high, ergonomics and the risk of food contamination, for instance, are just as important.

Limit workplace risks

It is crucial for businesses to invest in Health and Safety training, in particular because all workplaces present risks and hazards that people need to be aware of. The Health and safety at work etc act 1974, gives all employers a duty of care to ensure their employees and visitors to their premises are safe.

This means carrying out risk assessments of all work areas and processes and creating reports about them. It also means implementing a plan of action that will minimise or eliminate these hazards.

Create a culture of safety

While an employer does have certain obligations, employees also have responsibilities. When workers learn what these are, they become more aware of what is expected from them to create a safe workplace. This will make it easier to adopt a culture of safety in the business that everyone is on board with.

Employees can focus on their job

By having efficient procedures in place that create a safe work environment, workers will be able to perform their tasks more easily without worrying about risks to their health and safety. This means that everyone will be more focused on what needs to be done, which will be better for the business.

Save money

Cutting costs is important for businesses, and health and safety training can promote a more budget-friendly environment. Not only are HSE fines avoided if everyone has the right training and knows the current regulations and laws, but injuries and accidents can be avoided, and so downtime or legal battles, which can translate into lost time and money for the company.

Knowing how to deal with risks

Not all hazards are the same. It is likely that some workplaces will have a higher chance of falls from height, for example, while others might be prone to fire hazards or trips and slips. For this reason, having the adequate training will help an employee or manager deal with the risk. Asbestos requires specialist knowledge (both its discovery and its removal), and so does the handling of dangerous substances and dealing with electrical equipment.

Workers will be more confident

If an employee knows they can trust their employer with their safety, their satisfaction and confidence levels will grow, which is likely to be conveyed in improved performance. Increased performance can benefit the worker, the manager and the business.

--Boss Training 15:45, 10 Oct 2017 (BST)

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