Health & Safety Training Isn't a One-Off: When Does Your Team Need a Refresher?
Completing a health and safety course is an important part of developing a competent workforce. But training shouldn't simply be completed, filed away and forgotten about.
Workplaces change. People change roles. New equipment is introduced, working methods develop and, over time, knowledge can fade.
That's why maintaining competence should be an ongoing process.
So, when did your team last refresh their health and safety knowledge?
Why Is Refresher Training Important?
Training gives employees the knowledge and skills they need to carry out their work safely, but completing a course doesn't mean that knowledge will remain fresh forever.
If someone hasn't used a particular skill or procedure for a long time, they may forget important details. Employees can also become familiar with everyday tasks and gradually develop shortcuts or habits that aren't necessarily the safest way of working.
Refresher training provides an opportunity to reinforce good practice and make sure employees continue to understand what is expected of them.
Training Should Reflect the Workplace
Training shouldn't exist separately from what's actually happening within your business.
Consider how much can change over a relatively short period:
New equipment may be introduced.
Employees may take on different responsibilities.
Working methods may change.
New hazards may be identified.
Procedures may be updated.
Guidance or legal requirements may change.
Training that was appropriate several years ago may no longer fully reflect the work someone is carrying out today.
When Should Training Be Refreshed?
There isn't a single refresher period that applies to every type of health and safety training.
Some qualifications or schemes have defined renewal or refresher requirements, while other training should be reviewed according to the work being undertaken, the risks involved and the individual's competence.
There are also situations where additional training may be appropriate even if an existing certificate is still valid.
For example, you may need to review training when:
An employee takes on a new role.
New equipment or machinery is introduced.
Working procedures change.
An accident or near miss identifies a knowledge gap.
An inspection highlights unsafe working practices.
An employee has been away from a particular activity for an extended period.
There are changes to relevant requirements or guidance.
The important thing is not to rely solely on the date printed on a certificate.
Competence Is More Than a Certificate
Certificates are useful evidence that training has been completed, but competence involves more than attending a course.
A competent person needs the appropriate combination of skills, knowledge, training and experience for the work they are expected to undertake.
This means employers should consider whether employees can actually apply what they've learned in the workplace.
Supervision, observation and regular conversations with employees can all help identify where additional support or training may be required.
Toolbox Talks Can Help Keep Knowledge Fresh
Not every refresher needs to involve sending employees on a full training course.
Toolbox talks and short workplace briefings can be an effective way of reinforcing important messages between formal training sessions.
Topics could include:
Manual handling
Working at height
PPE
COSHH
Slips, trips and falls
Dust control
Site housekeeping
Near-miss reporting
Fire safety
Keeping these conversations regular and relevant helps make health and safety part of everyday working practices rather than something that is only discussed during formal training.
Learn From Accidents and Near Misses
Accidents and near misses can provide valuable information about where additional training may be needed.
If an incident occurs, it's important to look beyond what happened and consider why it happened.
Did the employee understand the procedure? Was the risk communicated effectively? Had the person received appropriate training? Had working practices changed since the original training took place?
Identifying these gaps can help prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Keep Training Records Up to Date
Good training records make it much easier to understand the competence of your workforce.
Businesses should be able to identify:
What training employees have completed
When it was completed
Any expiry or renewal dates
What additional training may be required
Whether employees are competent for their current responsibilities
Regularly reviewing a training matrix can help businesses identify upcoming requirements before certificates expire and avoid last-minute arrangements.
Create a Culture of Continual Learning
Effective health and safety training shouldn't be about ticking a box.
The aim is to create a workforce that understands the risks associated with its work and feels confident applying safe working practices every day.
Formal courses, refresher training, toolbox talks, supervision and practical experience can all contribute to this.
When learning becomes part of everyday operations, businesses are better placed to identify risks early, improve standards and protect their workforce.
How Combined Safety Solutions Can Help
Combined Safety Solutions provides health and safety training and support to help businesses develop and maintain a competent workforce.
Whether you need to arrange formal training, identify gaps in your current training matrix or ensure your team remains up to date, we can help you understand your requirements and put the appropriate training in place.
Investing in your team's knowledge isn't simply about maintaining certificates. It's about giving people the skills and confidence they need to work safely.
Final Thoughts
Health and safety training shouldn't end when someone receives their certificate.
Businesses change, workplaces evolve and knowledge needs to be reinforced. Regularly reviewing competence and identifying when refresher training is needed can help prevent bad habits from developing and ensure employees remain prepared for the work they're carrying out.
So, when did your team last have a refresher?