This policy outlines the requirements to ensure that all employees of the council are appropriately trained to undertake their duties in respect of Health & Safety, first aid, fire safety and associated areas relevant to their work activities.  The Council’s recommended minimum standard for employee health and safety training of staff is provided, along with the types of training available.

In common with other forms of learning and development, attending a training course is not the only way of obtaining health and safety information, skill and competence. Other acceptable methods are included within this policy.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consider that in order for some staff to do their jobs safely certain training must be designated as compulsory by the Council. This is indicated in the text where applicable.

Anyone organising training must ensure that the trainers have the skill/ qualifications/competence, appropriate to the level of training to be delivered.  Where appropriate an assessment of competence should be carried out and recorded at the end of the training.

• Identify (and review) employee health and safety training needs annually at appraisal and ensure that those needs are met.
• Through job-based risk assessment identify the training needs of staff.
• Ensure that new/transferred employees receive induction training within the agreed timescales.
• Ensure all employees receive adequate health and safety training to ensure their competence.
• Ensure that employees are up to date with their own training needs.
• Ensure any specialist health and safety training needs e.g. woodworking machines certification, first aid or fire safety are met.
• Ensure that any training received by their employees is recorded in the employee’s personal file or kept in accordance with Service requirements and the Buckinghamshire Council retention policy.

• Attend health and safety training as identified by their manager to ensure safe working.
• Assist their Line Manager in identifying their training needs.
• Report to their Line Manager any area where they feel they need additional or new training.
• Carry out their work in accordance with the training they have received.

All new employees or those who have transferred establishment or Service Area, including temporary staff will receive basic health and safety information from their Line Manager or nominated person within one week of commencing employment.

Certain health and safety information such as the emergency arrangements should be provided on their first day of employment.  (Compulsory).

A sample induction checklist is shown in Appendix 2. This or an equivalent record must be completed and placed on the employee’s personal file or kept in accordance with Service requirements and the Buckinghamshire Council retention policy.

In addition to the workplace induction all staff must complete the mandatory online Health & Safety training (available via Learning Pool) or suitable equivalent within two months of joining Buckinghamshire Council.  This normally forms part of the formal Council induction training programme. (Compulsory)

The standard course content is listed in Appendix 3 but it may be adjusted to suit particular groups of staff.

In addition to any specialist training required such as risk assessment, all staff who have a responsibility for supervising others must attend the mandatory Health & Safety for Managers Training within 6 months of appointment. Sample contents list is shown in Appendix 4.  (Compulsory)

All Managers are also strongly advised to take the IOSH Managing Safely Course. (Recommended)

All Senior Managers (Heads of Service, Service Directors and Corporate Directors) will attend the mandatory Health & Safety for Managers training within 6 months of appointment. (Compulsory) Sample contents list is shown in Appendix 4.

All Senior Managers are also strongly advised to take the IOSH Leading Safely course. (Recommended)

Managers of establishments may appoint an Establishment Safety Co-ordinator to act on their behalf to ensure that activities such as safety inspections and fire checks take place.

Although overall responsibility remains with the Establishment Manager anyone appointed as an Establishment Safety Co-ordinator must receive adequate specialist training.  This should consist of a minimum of one days training, although it is recommended that relevant staff (e.g. Establishment Safety Co-ordinator) complete the IOSH Managing Safely course.   

The Establishment Safety Co-ordinator must also have an appropriate level of authority and general personal ability to function effectively and competently in this role.

Manager/Principal Health and Safety Adviser

Eligibility for Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner status is required for these roles.

Health and Safety Advisers

A minimum of a Level 3 Health and Safety qualification (as defined by IOSH) is required for these roles

The normal period for refresher training is once every three years unless stated otherwise for particular types of training.  Please see Appendix 5 for further information on refresher training requirements.

Heads of Service are responsible for ensuring that Health & Safety training needs are identified by staff and Managers, as well as through the Service Health & Safety Action Plan.  Heads of Service must make arrangements for the funding and provision of such training.

In addition, the specific training needs of employees should be identified by the person’s Line Manager, by risk assessment, the appraisal system and job evaluation.

The training requirements for particular jobs should, wherever possible, be incorporated into job descriptions, person specifications and key tasks.

Managers or Heads of establishments are responsible for ensuring that training requirements are complied with and records kept. The actual training will be provided by a trained member of staff e.g. Health and Safety Co-ordinator, a member of the Health and Safety Team or competent external provider.

A record of all training received by an employee must be kept in accordance with Service requirements and the Buckinghamshire Council retention policy and/or placed on the individual’s personal file.  Records may also be recorded centrally if the training has been arranged through HR.

For internal training courses, the person carrying out the training must be competent to do so and ensure that a record of attendance is kept which identifies all delegates who attended.  Employees should also record their attendance at any training courses for CPD and/or appraisal purposes.

Training courses, course dates and nomination information can be found on the The Source (staff intranet) or through contacting the Health & Safety team at handstraining@buckinghamshire.gov.uk .  

There may, dependant on job role, be requirements for additional H&S training such as:

• Manual Handling;
• Asbestos;
• Legionella;
• Woodworking machines;
• Construction/maintenance safety;
• Chainsaw use;
• Food hygiene;
• Infection control.

Depending on need, some of these courses may be bookable via the H&S Training Team.  Alternatively, specialist training can provided by a competent external company.  Contact the H&S Team for further information and advice. 

There are a number of non-classroom based training methods that may be appropriate such as:

• Distance learning
• Computer based training, including online training e.g. Microsoft Teams.
• Reading material such as guidance, regulations, best practice papers (ACOP’s) etc.
• Work shadowing, for example accompanying a safety adviser or experienced colleague on a safety inspection or accident investigation.

These methods can be used in conjunction with face-to-face training as required. 

Contact your Health and Safety Adviser for information on training available and assistance with identifying training needs via the healthandsafety@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or handstraining@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

TRAINING RECORD - SAMPLE CARD 

Service Area:

Location/Establishment:

Name:

COURSE TITLE	DURATION OF COURSE	DATE COMPLETED

Attach copy of course content and proof of attendance/successful completion of course where possible.

All locally organised training must be recorded on this form.

In addition to this, corporate and other centrally organised training may be recorded centrally by the organisers.

Workplace Induction Training - Sample Checklist

The following subjects must be covered during the induction process by a Line Manager or other nominated person and a record kept.

*Security arrangements/ID cards
*Welfare arrangements - toilets/drinking water
*First aid arrangements, names, locations, equipment
*Fire and emergency procedures including fire alarm, escape routes, fire action, evacuation chairs, assembly points and fire prevention measures
Buckinghamshire Council Health & Safety Policy content to be discussed and brought to the employee’s attention during the induction process.
Service Area safety organisation and arrangements.
Local policy, organisation and arrangements, e.g. safe working practices, lone working, Health & Safety Adviser contact details
Location and content of Health and Safety Law Poster or leaflet.
Accident/incident reporting procedures – how to report an accident, incident or near miss and names of accident reporters within the Service (for Assessnet).
Location of risk assessments relevant to role – a copy should be provided for reference.  Talk through any specific risks as identified by risk assessment – chemicals, manual handling, personal safety, machinery, display screen use.
Name of Employee Representative and Safety Committee Structure (e.g. Work Force Matters and Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Groups).
Asbestos procedures (if relevant to job role/activities)
How to contact the Health & Safety Team and named Health & Safety Advisor for the Service.
Learning Pool log in provided for employee to complete Health & Safety training, and Fire awareness.
Employee to complete DSE assessment via The Source.
Provide information on emergency plan for the Council and business continuity plan for the Service (as relevant to job role).

*Should be covered on the first day.

Health and Safety Induction - Sample Programme

 

DURATION: Online via Learning Pool   

TARGET GROUP: All new employees within one month of joining the Council.

TARGET OUTCOMES: Delegates should:

• Be aware of the causes of accidents and ill health at work and appreciate the importance of health and safety in the Council and their Service Area in particular.
• Be conversant with the basic provisions of the key legislation (including the Health and Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation) affecting their work.
• Be aware of the key hazards in their work activities and appreciate the need for a risk assessment approach.
• Be able to undertake a simple risk assessment for work activities undertaken within their control.

PROGRAMME:

• Introduction and aims.
• Health and safety: Law & Policy
• Using a Workstation.
• Accidents in the workplace
• Fire Safety
• Your Working Environment
• Stress in the workplace
• Lone Working

Refresher Training Requirements 

Training Course	Requalification/Refresher Period
IOSH  - Managing Safely	3 years
IOSH – Working Safely	3 years
Working at Height	3 years
COSHH	3 years
Supporting pupils with medical conditions	3 years
H&S Manager Training	3 years
H&S Training (general)	3 years
Legionella Awareness	3 years
Asbestos Awareness	3 years
Managing Fire Safety Awareness	3 years
Basic Tree Survey & Inspection	3 years
Personal Safety Awareness	3 years