Health and Safety Training for Employers is about more than ticking a box. As an employer in the UK, you have a legal duty to protect the people who work for you, and providing suitable training is a core part of meeting that duty.
This guide explains your responsibilities, what training to provide, how to keep records and how online courses make compliance straightforward for businesses of any size.
Your responsibilities as an employer
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must, so far as is reasonably practicable, protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. In practice that includes:
- Assessing the risks in your workplace.
- Providing suitable information, instruction and training.
- Giving staff the equipment and procedures they need to work safely.
- Recording training and keeping it up to date.
For the legal background, see our plain-English guide to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
What training to provide
Match training to the risks in your workplace. Most employers provide general awareness for everyone, then add role-specific courses such as manual handling, fire safety, PPE or working at height. New starters should complete a safety induction before they begin.
Keeping records and staying compliant
Good records protect you. Keep a simple log of who trained, on what, and when - plus the renewal date. Online courses help here because certificates are issued digitally and easy to store. Read our guide to training your staff for a step-by-step rollout, and risk assessment for where to begin.
Frequently asked questions
What are an employer's health and safety training duties in the UK?
Employers must provide suitable information, instruction and training so staff can work safely, as part of their duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Can employers use online training for staff?
Yes. Online awareness courses are widely used. For some tasks, employers also need to provide practical, task-specific training and supervision.
What records should an employer keep?
Keep a record of who was trained, the topics covered, the dates and the renewal date, along with each certificate.
Where should an employer start?
Begin with a risk assessment to identify hazards, then provide training that matches those risks.
Meet your duties with confidence
Train and certify your team online, keep tidy records and stay ready for audits - all from one place.
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