Training Needs Analysis and Training Plans
One of the most crucial aspects of successful health and safety management for your business is to ensure that employees are competent to deliver the task required of them in a safe manner.
What your Business Needs to Know:
Establishing and Maintaining the Competency of Your Employees with Training Needs Analysis and Training Plans
One of the most crucial aspects of successful health and safety management for your business is to ensure that employees are competent to deliver the task required of them in a safe manner.
Many pieces of legislation require safety training to be provided and in particular the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations requires that the capabilities and competency of employees is assessed.
HSG 65 the guide to successful health and safety management also requires effective and regularly reviewed training needs analysis complemented by the delivery of the appropriate training, i.e. a training plan which is reviewed periodically usually annually.
There are many specific pieces of legalisation that require training to be provided such as the Manual Handling Regulations, the First Aid Regulations, Asbestos Regulations and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations that require training on any work equipment used plus many other statutes (laws).
The first stage for any business to establish a training plan is to complete a Training Needs Analysis.
This in essence is an appraisal of the key tasks individuals complete and the safety legislation and key competency required to discharge such tasks safely with competence.
Please see attached, Training Needs Analysis Guidelines for Construction and Non Construction Companies. This summarises the core safety training needs that need to be considered.
This should be viewed with reference to the job description/role required for the employee or group of employees; this can be recorded on the form provided within the training section of your safety management system.
Once this has been completed the training can be formulated/agreed and entered on the training plan matrix for your company (again, this form is within your safety management system).
Integrated within the training plan should be the legally (and best practice) required refresher training.
Further considerations when finalising your training are business needs i.e. some clients impose specific safety training standards in order to work for that particular client.
Training needs and plans as previously stated should be reviewed regularly -usually annually.
However, in the event of manifest changes in the tasks and functions of the business or in the event of accidents or safety inspections highlighting weaknesses then once again the competency of employees should be assessed and the organisational training needs analysis be revisited and the training plan reviewed.
Regularly reviewed training plans and competency assessment ensures the continuous professional development of your workforce, but importantly ensures effective efficient and safe working.
The key critical aspect to successful safety management is to ensure competent workers. This compliments the general ethos of successful business delivery by ensuring competent, efficient and well trained employees who deliver and are the front line of your business.
Please Note:This flyer will be repeated every 6 months to remind you and to refresh your memory to affect safety training for your workforce and to ensure your company is compliant with statutory legislation and for the reason below.
LEGAL DEFFENCE:It should also be noted that safety training is one of the critical key defences in any civil or criminal litigation against your company and evidence of training can substantially mitigate your liability.
If you would like to find out more about Training Needs Analysis or Training Plans please contact Rawlings Consultancy Services 0151 480 8968 or follow this link for further information