Identify your staff training needs
Not sure which health and safety training your employees need? This tool asks about job roles, workplace hazards, equipment, and working conditions to identify mandatory and recommended training requirements.
This tool provides guidance based on current UK regulations and best practice. Training needs should be regularly reviewed as part of your risk assessment process.
How it works
- Describe your workplace - tell us about job roles, hazards, and equipment
- Review training needs - see which training is mandatory vs recommended
- Get your training plan - download a personalised matrix with refresher schedules
What you'll learn
After completing the identifier, you'll know:
- Which training courses are legally required for your staff
- Which additional training is recommended based on your workplace
- How often refresher training should be provided
- Who needs what training based on their role
- The legal basis for each training requirement
- Suggested training providers and formats (in-person, online, or blended)
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must provide adequate health and safety information and training to employees.
Training types covered
This tool helps identify needs across common H&S training areas:
Fire Safety Awareness
- Legal basis: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Applies to: All employees, contractors, and visitors who may be present
- Frequency: Annual refresher recommended
- Content: Fire risks, evacuation procedures, alarm systems, extinguisher use
Manual Handling
- Legal basis: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Applies to: Any staff who lift, lower, push, pull, or carry items
- Frequency: Annual refresher, or when tasks change
- Content: Risk assessment, safe lifting techniques, use of aids
Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
- Legal basis: Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Applies to: Users who work with computers for prolonged periods
- Frequency: Initial training plus updates when workstation changes
- Content: Workstation setup, posture, breaks, eyesight tests
First Aid at Work
- Legal basis: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
- Applies to: Designated first aiders (number depends on risk assessment)
- Frequency: 3-year certification with annual refreshers
- Content: Emergency response, CPR, treating injuries, record keeping
Working at Height
- Legal basis: Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Applies to: Anyone working above ground level (including ladders, scaffolds, roofs)
- Frequency: Annual refresher or when equipment/procedures change
- Content: Risk assessment, equipment selection, fall prevention, rescue procedures
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Legal basis: COSHH Regulations 2002
- Applies to: Staff who handle, store, or dispose of hazardous substances
- Frequency: Annual refresher or when new substances introduced
- Content: Hazard identification, safety data sheets, PPE, storage, spill procedures
Asbestos Awareness
- Legal basis: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Applies to: Maintenance workers, building managers, anyone who may disturb building fabric
- Frequency: Annual refresher recommended
- Content: Identifying asbestos, where it's found, what to do if discovered, legal duties
Food Hygiene
- Legal basis: Food Safety Act 1990, Food Hygiene Regulations 2006
- Applies to: Anyone handling, preparing, or serving food
- Frequency: Level 2 every 3 years, Level 3 supervisors every 5 years
- Content: Personal hygiene, cross-contamination, temperature control, cleaning
Other training types identified
Based on your answers, we may also recommend:
- Confined space entry
- Noise awareness
- Vibration safety
- Legionella awareness
- Electrical safety
- Lone working
- Risk assessment
- Accident investigation
- Health and safety for managers
Before you start
You'll get the most accurate results if you know:
- All job roles in your organisation
- Workplace hazards identified in your risk assessments
- Equipment and machinery used (ladders, forklifts, power tools, etc.)
- Substances stored or used (cleaning products, chemicals, etc.)
- Working conditions (office-based, construction site, healthcare, etc.)
- Any specialist activities (food preparation, building maintenance, etc.)
Training must be provided during working hours and at no cost to employees. Records should be kept of all training completed.
Understanding mandatory vs recommended
Mandatory training is legally required because:
- The activity involves specific legal duties (e.g., first aid)
- Your risk assessment identifies the hazard as present
- The role involves statutory responsibilities
Recommended training is best practice because:
- It reduces risks even if not legally required
- Industry guidance suggests it
- It supports a positive safety culture
- It may become mandatory as circumstances change
Refresher training schedules
The tool will suggest refresher frequencies based on:
- Legal requirements (e.g., first aid every 3 years)
- Industry standards (e.g., fire safety annually)
- Risk levels (high-risk activities may need more frequent updates)
- Changes to workplace, equipment, or procedures
Training should always be refreshed when there's a change in work methods, equipment, or after an accident/near miss.
Creating your training matrix
Your downloadable training plan includes:
- Job role vs training requirement matrix
- Priority levels (immediate, within 3 months, within 6 months)
- Refresher dates based on completion
- Legal references for each requirement
- Suggested training formats and durations
- Space to record completion dates and certificates
Start the identifier
Coming Soon
We're currently building this tool. In the meantime, try our other checkers:
After identifying your needs
Once you know what training is required:
- Prioritise - Address mandatory training for high-risk activities first
- Schedule - Book training courses with adequate notice
- Record - Keep certificates and attendance records
- Review - Update your training matrix when staff change roles or new hazards emerge
- Budget - Plan for ongoing refresher training costs
Need help choosing training providers or developing a training programme? A health & safety consultant can create a bespoke training plan for your organisation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if training is mandatory?
Training is mandatory if required by specific regulations (like first aid) or if your risk assessment identifies the hazard. This tool will flag mandatory requirements based on your answers.
Can training be delivered online?
Some training can be delivered online (e.g., fire safety awareness, DSE), but practical courses like first aid or working at height require hands-on practice. The tool will indicate which delivery methods are acceptable.
What records do I need to keep?
Keep copies of training certificates, attendance records, training content/syllabus, trainer qualifications, and dates when refresher training is due. Records should be kept for at least 3 years.
What if an employee refuses training?
Training is a legal requirement. Refusal should be addressed through your disciplinary procedures, but first establish if there are barriers (literacy, language, accessibility) that need accommodation.
Do temporary staff need the same training?
Yes. Anyone working for you, including temps, contractors, and volunteers, must receive appropriate training for the tasks they'll perform and the hazards they'll face.
How much does training typically cost?
Costs vary widely: online courses may be £20-50 per person, half-day classroom courses £50-150, and specialist multi-day courses (like first aid) £150-400. Group bookings often offer discounts.