How often should we refresh our Health & Safety Training?

Posted 4 years ago

Health and safety training is a fundamental requirement for businesses of all sizes, ensuring employees are equipped to work safely and efficiently. However, unfortunately, there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer as health and safety regulations and requirements vary for different industries due to roles, risk levels and much more. Staying on top of these regulations is crucial to maintaining compliance, reducing workplace accidents, and fostering a strong safety culture.

This guide will cover how frequently health and safety training should be refreshed, legal requirements, industry best practices, and actionable steps to ensure compliance without unnecessary costs or disruptions.

Why regular health and safety training refreshers are Essential

Health and safety training isn’t a one-off event. Over time, employees may forget critical safety principles, workplace procedures might change, and new risks can emerge. Without regular refreshers, even the most well-trained employees can fall into bad habits or fail to recognise new hazards in their work environment. Regular refresher training ensures that staff:

Stay competent in their roles and responsibilities – Employees need to continually reinforce their understanding of safety measures to perform their duties safely and effectively.
Maintain awareness of potential workplace hazards – Risks evolve as workplaces introduce new equipment, processes, or materials. Regular training helps employees recognise and mitigate these risks proactively.
Understand and comply with the latest safety regulations – Health and safety laws frequently change. Ensuring staff are up to date helps businesses avoid compliance breaches and potential fines.
Reduce the risk of workplace accidents, injuries, and legal liabilities – Well-trained employees are less likely to make mistakes that could lead to injuries, property damage, or costly lawsuits.
Adapt to new equipment, processes, or changes in the work environment – Whether it’s new machinery, updated procedures, or industry-specific regulations, ongoing training helps employees adjust to workplace changes smoothly.
Reinforce the company’s commitment to a strong safety culture – Regular training demonstrates to employees that safety is a priority, encouraging them to take ownership of their wellbeing and that of their colleagues.

Failing to refresh training regularly can lead to outdated practices, increasing the risk of workplace incidents and non-compliance penalties. HR professionals play a crucial role in scheduling and enforcing training updates to maintain a safe and legally compliant work environment.

Legal requirements for health and safety training in the UK

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are legally required to provide ‘adequate’ training to employees. However, the legislation doesn’t specify exact refresher intervals for all training types. Instead, employers must assess their workplace risks and determine appropriate training schedules.

So, how often should health and safety training be refreshed? Let’s take a look at our guidance on how often health and training safety should be refreshed.

Fire safety training – Annually (or more frequently in high-risk workplaces like manufacturing or hospitality).
Manual handling training – Every 12 months, or sooner if employees change job roles or responsibilities.
First aid training – Every 3 years for full courses, with annual CPR refreshers recommended.
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) training – When employees start using new equipment, or at least every 12 months.
Working at height training – Every 3-5 years, or whenever legislation or equipment changes.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) training – Annually or whenever new hazardous substances are introduced.

Legislation Governing Health and Safety Training

Some specific regulations provide clearer guidance on training requirements:

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – Requires fire safety training to be conducted when employees join a business and repeated periodically. It also mandates additional training when significant changes occur in the workplace that could affect fire safety.
The Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 – Stipulates that training on the safe use of display screen equipment must be provided when employees start using DSE and should be repeated periodically, particularly when there are changes in workstation setups or equipment used.
British Standards Kite Mark (BS 9999, Fire Safety of Buildings) – Requires fire safety training to be provided at least once a year to maintain compliance with the British Standards Institute’s best practices for fire safety.

Employers should also consider industry specific regulations and guidance from professional bodies to ensure compliance with best practices in their sector. Keeping up to date with legislative changes and conducting regular risk assessments will help ensure that all training remains relevant and effective.

Industry-specific health and safety training requirements

Different industries have different risks, which influence how often training should be refreshed.

High-Risk Industries (Frequent Refreshers Required)

Construction & Manufacturing – Annual training on site safety, PPE, and working at height due to hazardous environments where employees regularly work with heavy machinery, power tools, and scaffolding. Regular refresher courses ensure workers understand risk assessments, fall prevention, and the correct use of protective gear.
Healthcare & Care Sectors – Annual infection control, manual handling, and safeguarding training to protect both staff and vulnerable individuals. With constant exposure to patients, healthcare workers must stay up to date with best practices in hygiene, safe patient handling techniques, and how to identify and report safeguarding concerns.
Warehousing & Logistics – Regular forklift operation, manual handling, and fire safety training due to the high risks associated with lifting heavy loads, operating machinery, and working in large storage facilities. Employees must be confident in correct lifting techniques, vehicle safety, and fire prevention strategies, especially in facilities storing flammable materials.

Medium-Risk Industries (Periodic Refreshers Recommended)

Retail & Hospitality – Periodic training on fire safety, manual handling, and food hygiene. Employees need to be prepared for emergency evacuations, understand safe stock handling procedures, and comply with food safety regulations to prevent contamination and health risks for customers.
Education & Childcare – First aid, fire safety, and safeguarding training every 1-2 years to ensure the safety of children and staff. Schools and nurseries require staff to be trained in paediatric first aid, emergency response procedures, and recognising signs of neglect or abuse.

Low-Risk Industries (Minimal Refreshers Needed)

Offices & Remote Work – DSE training and mental health awareness training every 2-3 years to promote workplace wellbeing. Employees working with screens need guidance on ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, while mental health training helps managers and staff recognise and support colleagues struggling with stress or anxiety.

The EAT case that highlights the need for frequent, high-quality training

In February 2021, the Employment Appeals Tribunal ruled on a case that serves as a valuable reminder to employers on the importance of regular and high-quality training, particularly when defending claims of discrimination and harassment.

In this particular case, an employee with just under 1 year’s service, was dismissed by his employer due to poor performance. After their dismissal, the employee alleged that they had been subjected to racial harassment by a colleague and brought a claim for racial discrimination against the company.

Their former employers argued that they had taken all reasonable steps to prevent this from happening as they had arranged for employees to receive equality and diversity training two years earlier. However, the tribunal found that they were liable for this behaviour as the training had taken place some time ago and was therefore ‘stale’.

They could not be said to have taken ‘all reasonable steps’ as a reasonable step would have been to carry out the training more regularly. The employer appealed, but on 4 February the Employment Appeals Tribunal rejected their appeal and upheld the tribunal’s decision.

“Brief and superficial training is unlikely to have a substantial effect in preventing harassment. Such training is also unlikely to have long-lasting consequences. Thorough and forcefully presented training is more likely to be effective, and to last longer.”

Employment Appeals Tribunal

So there are clear arguments for refreshing training MORE frequently than annually. Many companies take our HR Compliance Courses; Stress Awareness & Mental Health Awareness Training sporadically throughout the year if they are under more strain than usual. Others use our excellent free additional resources (such as posters or PDFs) to remind staff of the key information on an almost daily basis

Key signs that your training needs refreshing

Even if a training course has a set renewal date, certain situations indicate that refresher training is urgently needed. Recognising these signs early can help prevent accidents, improve compliance, and ensure a safer working environment:

Accidents or near misses occur – If workplace incidents happen, it may indicate training gaps. For example, a warehouse worker injuring their back while lifting suggests manual handling training is overdue.
New equipment or processes are introduced – Employees must be trained on new tools or procedures to ensure safe use. A factory installing automated machines, for instance, should provide updated safety training.
Employees demonstrate unsafe behaviour – If workers stop wearing PPE, ignore fire exits, or lift incorrectly, refresher training can reinforce best practices and prevent accidents.
Legislation or company policies change – New regulations may require updated training. For example, changes to fire safety laws might mean employees need refresher sessions on evacuation procedures.
Routine training reviews highlight knowledge gaps – If fire drills reveal confusion or staff struggle with COSHH protocols, retraining can address these weaknesses before they lead to compliance issues.

Recognising these signs early helps maintain a safe, legally compliant workplace.

How can you stay on top of health and safety training

To make sure you are staying on top of your health and safety training and that all employees are up to date on the latest regulations, here are a few easy steps on how to incorporate this into your day to day work tasks

Create a training matrix – A simple spreadsheet or database tracking who needs which training and when.
Use a learning management system (LMS) – Automate training assignments, track completions, and send reminders.
Integrate Training into Performance Reviews – Link training completion to employee appraisals and career progression.
Schedule Annual Safety Audits – Assess whether training remains effective and identify any areas for improvement.

The consequences of not refreshing health and safety training

Failure to update health and safety training can have severe repercussions, including:

Legal Fines & compliance issues – Regulatory bodies such as the HSE and local authorities can impose significant fines on businesses that fail to meet health and safety training requirements. In severe cases, non-compliance could lead to legal action, business closure, or criminal prosecution for senior management.
Increased workplace accidents – Employees who aren’t regularly trained are more likely to make mistakes, leading to injuries, near misses, and even fatalities. For example, outdated manual handling training can result in long-term musculoskeletal disorders, while insufficient fire safety training could lead to improper emergency responses.
Higher insurance costs – Insurers assess workplace risk levels when setting premiums. If a business fails to provide adequate training, insurers may increase premiums or refuse to cover claims arising from workplace accidents, leaving the company financially vulnerable.
Poor employee morale & retention – Employees who feel unsafe at work or believe their employer isn’t prioritising their wellbeing are more likely to become disengaged or seek employment elsewhere. High staff turnover can lead to recruitment challenges and additional costs for businesses.

Regularly refreshing health and safety training is vital for legal compliance, employee wellbeing, and overall workplace safety. While there are general industry guidelines, HR professionals must assess their unique workplace risks and training needs.

A structured, well-planned approach ensures that employees stay informed, businesses remain compliant, and workplace accidents are minimised.

Need Expert Health and Safety Training for Your Business?

Are you ready to prioritise the safety and well-being of your employees? iHasco offers a robust suite of health and safety training courses designed to meet the unique needs of your business. Our training is not only quick and effective, but it’s also cost-efficient, making it the smart choice for businesses committed to a safer workplace.

With our user-friendly Learning Management System (LMS), you can easily schedule reminders for staff retraining. In fact, over 95% of our clients opt for the convenient 12-month refresher, ensuring your team stays up-to-date with the latest regulations and best practices.

Our extensive range of Health & Safety Training courses not only helps you achieve compliance with current legislation but also fosters a culture of safety that enhances employee morale and productivity.

Don’t leave safety to chance. Take the first step towards a safer workplace with our free, no-obligation trial. Experience the difference that expert training can make for your business today.