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The statistics on workplace accidents are startling, with over 200 people killed each year in the workplace. By providing quality health and safety training, employers can help reduce this figure.

By law employers are responsible for providing safe and healthy workplace conditions for all of their employees, and ensure that they are fully aware of the importance of health and safety in the workplace and of the necessity of following good working practices. The key areas to be fully trained on in terms of health and safety are health and hygiene at work and accidents and how to prevent them.

Another area of health and safety training that is required is manual handling, which is not only important in protecting the well-being of staff but in preventing absence from work due to damage from incorrect handling, and, in the worse case scenario, in providing due diligence in the event of an ever increasing number of workplace claims.

Fire prevention is another area that is absolutely crucial, and records of what training is provided are required and regularly checked by local authorities and fire services.

How to deal with hazardous substances is another health & safety are that is mandatory to provide to all employees.

Finally, risk assessments are a necessary part of any business these days, and have a key role in highlighting and addressing any health and safety issues that may not have been fully considered.

As well as ensuring that all new staff receive adequate health and safety training, it is important for all employers to remember to continue to refresh their existing teams.

It is worth noting also that legislation changes on an ongoing basis as do the potential hazards and subsequent requirements in any operation so it is necessary that the whole team are working to the same core standards to ensure a safe and happy working environment where health and safety comes as standard.