Is H&S Training a legal requirement?

All employers are required under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HASAWA) 1974 to provide, as far as reasonably practicable, all information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety at work of their employees.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MSHWR) 1999, employers are also required to take into account all employees’ capabilities with regard to health and safety.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 (Regulation 9) require that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training, and the PUWER regulations also require refresher training to be provided when necessary.

Is H&S Training a legal requirement?

What is British Standard BS 4163?

The code of practice, BS 4163:2021 + A1:2022 Health and Safety for Design and Technology in Educational and Similar Establishments, sets clear expectations about the Health and Safety training required of everyone working in Design & Technology.

Such codes of practice have a special legal status and any Body, such as the HSE, investigating the circumstances of an accident will consult the relevant code of practice as well as the relevant H&S Regulations.

In practice therefore, an employer must have a good reason for not adhering to a code of practice, and BS 4163:2021 + A1:2022 must be treated as the standard against which you should expect your procedures and practices to be compared.

What are the expectations?

The British Standard code of practice expects all Design and Technology staff to be trained to the standards set out in the Design and Technology Association publication, ‘Health and Safety Training Standards in Design and Technology’.

These standards provide the benchmark for Health and Safety training in D&T and will provide staff with the training, competency, and accreditation to meet the requirements of BS 4163:2021 + A1:2022.

The code of practice also states that Refresher Training should be undertaken at least every five years.

How can we help you to comply?

All our health and safety training sessions are only delivered by Registered Design Technology Health and Safety Consultants (D&TA) and are always structured to best meet your specific requirements.

Our training materials also closely adhere to BS 4163:2021 + A1:2022 and are regularly updated in line with any changes in legislation etc.

In addition to delivering health and safety training our Consultants also undertake comprehensive H&S audits of D&T departments, following which a full written report is issued containing detailed guidance and recommendations to help ensure compliance.