Healthy,
safe and
productive lives
and enterprises

Employee OSH Training Journey

Training Journey

Employees require OSH training at different points in time.

The Act defines several contents where training must be given to employees. This includes

  • When they start employment.
  • When they change or transfer tasks.
  • When they are introduced to new equipment, technology or systems of work.
  • When changes are made to existing equipment, technology or systems of work.
  • Periodically to ensure that employees maintain their competency in carrying out their roles.

Employers and managers should ensure that initial OSH induction training has been provided to all staff. Further, they should ensure that all staff receive additional specialized training and refresher training (as required).

 

Timeline

Milestones

First Day

Health and Safety values communicated to employee.

Schedule for induction OSH training communicated to employee.

Schedule for other mandatory OSH training communicated to employee.

First Week

Employee receives OSH induction training.

Employee is provided with access to the Safety Statement.

First Month

Employee reviews the Safety Policy and Safety Statement.

Employee receives task specific training (task specific hazards and controls).

Employee receives any additional specialized OSH training (that is, manual handling, chemical hazards, physical hazards and so forth).

Employee has had time to discuss hazards and controls with their supervisor or manager.

Employee is closely supervised to support safety awareness and ensure that safe systems of work are being followed.

Employee develops a safety-first mindset.

After Year 1 / Ongoing

Employee receives supervision (as appropriate).

Employee receives recurrent training (as required).

Employee receives additional training (as required).

OSH Induction Training

OSH induction training is vital for creating a safe, compliant, and productive workplace environment. Companies are required by law to provide OSH induction training to their employees. This ensures the organization complies with regulations, avoiding fines or legal consequences.

The primary goal of OSH induction training is to educate employees about the potential hazards in their work environment and how to mitigate those risks. It ensures that employees have the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others while also meeting legal and organizational safety standards.

OSH induction training should include the following topics:

  • Employee responsibilities under the 2005 Act.
  • Company safety policy and values.
  • General safety protocols and procedures.
  • Workplace hazards and how to manage them.
  • Fire safety procedures.
  • Emergency preparedness, arrangements and procedures (for example, fire, chemical spill, or electrical accident).
  • The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and access to PPE.
  • Contact details for Occupational First Aiders and location of First Aid.
  • Good practices in manual handling.
  • Good practices in the use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE).
  • Procedures for reporting accidents, near misses, or unsafe practices.
  • Information on workplace health programs and support systems.
  • Chemical safety and handling dangerous substances (if applicable).
  • Training on the safe operation of machinery and tools (if applicable).
  • The name and contact details of any Safety Representatives (if applicable)

Other Specialized OSH Training

Different job roles may come with specific risks that are not covered in the general induction training. For example, workers operating heavy machinery, handling hazardous chemicals, or working in high-risk environments (such as construction sites or laboratories) need specialized training relating to the hazards associated with their tasks. Depending on the person’s role, this specialized training can include training in the following areas:

  • Chemical safety.
  • Manual handling.
  • Machinery.
  • Working with asbestos.
  • Noise exposure.
  • Biological hazards.
  • Working at heights.
  • Working in confined spaces.
  • Fire Warden training.
  • Occupational First Aider training.
  • Safety Representative training.
  • Other (as required)

Additional training is also required for construction workers:

  • Safe Pass Training: All construction workers must complete Safe Pass training to ensure they understand basic safety principles and can work safely on construction sites.
  • Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS): Workers operating certain machinery or performing specific tasks must hold CSCS accreditation, which includes specialized training.

Refresher Training & Ongoing Training

Refresher training is a type of training that is designed to update and reinforce knowledge or skills that employees have already learned in previous training sessions. It helps ensure that workers retain important information and stay up to date with any changes in procedures, safety protocols, regulations, or technologies.

OSH standards and workplace risks evolve over time. Additional training helps ensure that workers understand the latest safety protocols, regulations, and technologies. As new risks emerge (for example, from new equipment or materials), workers need regular training to manage them effectively. Workers may forget or misunderstand certain safety procedures, and refresher courses help keep them sharp. Regular, specific training helps workers understand that safety is an ongoing priority.