Current issues in health and safety training in the UK

Abstract

Aims to describe current issues in health and safety training in the UK, focusing on the training requirements associated with general workplace risks. Rasmussen’s skill‐, rule‐, and knowledge‐based errors are briefly described and training’s role in promoting safe behaviour and in reducing human error are discussed. The weaknesses of using accident statistics as the sole measure of health and safety performance are highlighted. Reference is made to the legislative requirements, especially harmonised European health and safety law. The meaning of “competence” in the context of health and safety law is given. Contemporary views of training’s role as a risk control measure and topical issues relating to training for hazardous occupations are described. The article concludes by arguing that risk assessment is set to become an integral part of the trainer’s planning process.

Citation

Cooper, M. (1998), "Current issues in health and safety training in the UK", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 22 No. 9, pp. 354-361. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090599810240992