Is Health and Safety Training Required in the UK?

Is Health and Safety Training required in the UK? In most workplaces, the answer is effectively yes. Employers have a legal duty to protect their workers, and providing suitable information, instruction and training is one of the main ways they meet it.

This guide explains where that duty comes from, what it means in practice and how much training different roles actually need.

Where the duty comes from

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the foundation of UK workplace safety law. It requires employers, so far as is reasonably practicable, to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees - and that includes providing the training people need to work safely. For a plain-English breakdown, read our guide to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

What this means in practice

It does not mean every worker needs the same course. It means the training must be suitable for the risks involved. For example:

• An office worker may need general awareness, display screen and fire safety.
• A warehouse worker may also need manual handling training.
• Someone working at height needs specific working at height training.

The employer decides what is suitable by carrying out a risk assessment.

How much training is enough?

Enough to let each person do their job safely, and no less. The practical approach is: general awareness for everyone, role-specific courses where there are real risks, an induction for new starters, and refreshers to keep it current. Our guide to training for employers shows how to put this together.

Frequently asked questions