What is Health and Safety?
Health and safety refers to the measures and procedures implemented by businesses and upheld by employees to protect everyone in the workplace.
Additionally, the term “health and safety” also relates to the legal requirements outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
This Act states that safe practices should be adhered to by all on-site personnel, including the general public. Policies put in place by businesses can vary depending on the industry.
For example, a manufacturing workshop would require different measures than those of an office environment.
But every business, regardless of sector, should have appropriate health and safety training in place. This ensures staff are as up-to-date with current guidelines and procedures as possible.
Who is Responsible For Health and Safety in the Workplace?
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999), it is the legal duty of the employer to ensure health and safety training is provided to employees.
However, maintaining a safe working environment should be a team effort between employers and workers.
Employees and managers can enhance their occupational safety and health knowledge by taking an IOSH Course. IOSH qualifications are generalist, meaning they are applicable across all industries.
Through these internationally accredited assessments, employees can go from entry-level to certified Chartered Fellow.
Additionally, qualifications like the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety are perfect for delivering in-depth health and safety training.
NEBOSH courses are better suited to those aiming for a career in the occupational safety and health (OSH) industry.
Why Choose TSW for Your Health and Safety Training?
There are many reasons why you should choose TSW Training for your health & safety training, here are just some of the reasons:
- We have been delivering health and safety training courses for nearly 60 years
- We are accredited by world-leading institutions like NEBOSH, IOSH, Highfield and IEMA
- We are a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner, meaning we have reached the highest standards in the delivery of occupational health and safety training courses
- We have hundreds of health and safety experts, consultants and trainers to call upon, each bringing their own experience to bear
- Our training is independently reviewed by the learners who attend our courses.
Delivering Health and Safety Training for 60 years
At TSW Training we offer a full range of engaging Health and Safety training courses and qualifications, delivered online, virtually and in the classroom.
Our course health and safety courses are accredited by:
We offer health and safety courses UK-wide and overseas, helping organisations and their employees to improve workplace safety and staff wellbeing.
We have a range of health and safety courses available for all levels, including:
NEBOSH Training Courses
- NEBOSH National General Certificate
- NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety
- NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate
- NEBOSH Construction Certificate
- All NEBOSH Courses
IOSH Training Courses
Highfield Training Courses
- HABC Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment Course
- HABC Level 2 Award in Fire Safety | Fire Warden Training
- HABC First Aid at Work (3-days)
- HABC Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day)
- HABC Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid
Our Health and Safety Short Courses
- Power Press Training
- Working at Heights Training
- Manual Handling Training
- Asbestos Awareness Training
- COSHH Training
- Abrasive Wheels Training
- CDM Awareness Training
- Accident Investigation Training
Health and Safety Learning Options
Our health and safety courses can be delivered virtually, in the classroom, or via e-learning
We have a wide range of expertly designed health and safety courses that are available through our open programme of courses and qualifications or in-house, delivered exclusively for your organisation.
Courses for individuals or small groups (Open programme courses)
We have an open programme of virtual IOSH and NEBOSH training courses, on which you can book individuals or smaller groups.
Courses for your organisation (In-house)
If you need to train groups of people then we can deliver any of our Health and Safety courses just for your business. You have three options available:
We work with organisations, like yours, to develop tailored and bespoke health and safety courses aligned to the specific health, safety and wellbeing needs of the business.
Benefits of a Health and Safety Awareness Course
Health and safety awareness courses offer many benefits to businesses and employees.
1. Enhanced Knowledge and Awareness
One of the most obvious benefits of health and safety courses is the educational value of learning how to identify risks and hazards.
Additionally, participants gain a clearer understanding of the regulations, the reasons for their existence, and what to do in the event of an incident.
2. Improved Safety Culture
The enhanced skills and knowledge passed on by courses encourage a culture of communication and safety at your business.
3. Reduced Accident Rates
A recent report by IOSH found there was a 22% reduction in minor injuries as a result of OSH training. By teaching thorough safety skills you help to mitigate the risk of hazards occuring. Hazards can lead to injuries which in turn lead to costly time off for employees and the business.
4. Compliance with Legal Requirements
Non-compliance can land businesses in hot water. Fines, reputational damage, and even penal sentences can be handed out to anyone found falling foul of safety standards.
5. Increased Productivity
Over 40 million working days are lost annually to accidents and injuries. Not only does this Improve efficiency, but it also boosts worker morale by showing that their well-being is important and protected.
6. Cost Savings
Fewer injuries mean fewer insurance premiums, compensation claims, equipment damage, and disruptions to production lines.
7. Online Availability
You can learn in an environment that suits you best – within a classroom, through live online classes, or in your own time via e-learning.
Why is Health and Safety Important?
1.8 million employees suffered from work-related ill health (new or long-standing) in 2021/22. Damning statistics like these showcase exactly why health and safety training is so important.
However, that report does not just refer to physical injury. Over half of those work-related instances of ill-health were linked to stress.
Comprehensive health and safety procedures and risk control methodologies should also address topics like work-related stress, depression, anxiety, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Training courses like HABC Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment can help with risk identification. But simpler strategies like strong communication and regular one-to-ones can help keep your workers updated with changing regulations.
An additional industry-specific measure is to include training around common safety issues as part of onboarding processes for new staff.
What is a Hazard in Health and Safety?
In health and safety, we tend to think of hazards as a potential source of harm or adverse health effects on a person or persons.
Due to the complex diversity of UK workplaces and employees, hazards can be present in various settings and instances. Understanding the types of hazards is vital for effective risk management.
- Physical Hazards: These include objects, substances, or conditions that can cause bodily harm. Examples include machinery, noise, vibration, radiation, or extreme temperatures.
- Chemical Hazards: Hazardous substances such as toxic, flammable, or corrosive agents can cause harm through exposure, ingestion, or inhalation.
- Biological Hazards: Biological hazards are especially important to be aware of, as they can cause disease, illness, viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, or allergens.
- Ergonomic Hazards: Most associated with office work, these hazards arise from factors related to workspace design or layout. Poor ergonomics can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive strain injuries, or fatigue.
- Psychosocial Hazards: Psychosocial hazards are related to stress, workload, violence, or bullying. The effects impact mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, or other work-related disorders.
Hazard awareness courses like the IOSH Managing Safely program are designed to improve threat identification.
This step-by-step course heightens your team’s hazard perception by combining theory and practical examples. We’re also proud to boast a 99%+ pass rate.
What is a Risk in Health and Safety?
In health and safety, a risk is the likelihood that a person may be harmed or suffer adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard.
Mitigation techniques commonly involve risk assessments. During an assessment, safety officers from inside the business or a third party evaluate what hazards currently exist or may appear.
The HABC Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment is a leading risk assessment qualification designed to give students a more rounded understanding of risk management.
The course covers key areas within safety management, including the main causes of work-related injury or illness, legal requirements for risk assessments, and risk prioritisation methods.
What is the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASWA) sets out various duties for employers to provide a safe working environment.
In addition to ensuring staff are appropriately trained, the Act also sets out requirements encouraging employers to provide the following measures:
- Appointment of a safety officer
- Carry out risk assessments
- Create a safety statement
- Carry out regular safety reviews
- Provide protective equipment where appropriate
- Complete regular equipment safety evaluations
- Comprehensive employee training
The responsibilities included in HASWA have been compiled to ensure safe practices across a breadth of sectors.
From laboratories and warehouses to offices and even play environments, each workplace needs its own set of statutes.