Chapter 5 - Training, awareness and competence

On this page

• Safety induction 
• Training needs
• Training records
• Training evaluation 
• Instruction 
• Refresher training

Safety induction 

The mandatory Safety Induction is comprised of a local safety induction followed by a corporate induction. It is the responsibility of the line manager to ensure that new starters receive both components.

The completion of the local safety induction is a prerequisite for the new starter to undertake the UCL Corporate Safety Induction which, when completed concludes formally the UCL Safety Induction Training.

Fire safety induction training comprises completion of the Fire Safety e-learning training coupled with a local walk of escape routes within their work area(s) by their departmental manager, Departmental Safety Officer (DSO), or Fire Evacuation Marshal (FEM).

> UCL Mandatory Training

Contractors and visitors must receive a local induction relevant to their work or visit but do not have to complete the corporate induction. This is the responsibility of the person in control of the contractor or visitor.

Training

Health and safety training is managed across UCL by the Safety Training Manager and is delivered by the Safety Advisors as well as external training providers.

Safety Services also develops and delivers bespoke safety training and/or will identify third party training organisations who can meet the criteria identified with the area requiring the training.

Safety Services is committed to providing UCL departments with pragmatic solutions to meet their training needs by collaborating with departmental staff in tailoring the training based on a mutual understanding of safety risks of their academic, research and/or business activities.

Training needs

The specific role and individual responsibilities will determine what training is appropriate and departments are responsible for identifying the training needs which should reflect the hazards and associated risks.

To help individuals and their managers decide on an appropriate training and development programme, there is a "one stop shop" for information on all health and safety training courses given throughout the year on the UCL Safety Services website.

> Safety Services Training

Training records

All training provided by UCL Safety Services will be recorded in the UCL corporate training system "MyLearning".

> MyLearning

Training requirements of individuals are identified by the line manager, taking into account differing levels of responsibility, ability and risk. Managers should ensure that plans are produced and implemented to meet the training needs including any identified specifications. Managers should review training needs on a regular basis, as well as upon recruitment, at activity/job change and on the identification of new hazards or change in risks, and revise if necessary.

Training evaluation 

Evaluation is done in several ways using the following methods:

• Close monitoring of the percentage of people who have completed core safety courses
• Completion of qualitative feedback forms by course participants on standalone courses
• Some form of quantitative monitoring e.g. short question set to establish what candidates have learnt from the course for standalone courses (the interactive course already has quantitative monitoring) 
• Monitoring of staff work activity, in terms of safety competence, on completion of training
• Inclusion as part of assurance monitoring schemes

Instruction 

Instruction is specific practical information on how to carry out a process safely i.e. the communication of a safe system of work.

The University has a core of highly skilled, experienced and knowledgeable supervisory staff and it relies upon the transfer of their skill, experience and knowledge to its support staff. Instruction can be both verbal and written.

Refresher training

Because of the importance of updating competencies and keeping track of legislative changes etc, refresher training has been set for some specific health and safety courses. The description of each individual training module provides details of the refresher training requirements.

Fire refresher training - staff working in Category 1 buildings should receive a full refresher training as per induction training every four years, staff working in Category 2 buildings should receive full refresher training every three years, staff working in Category 3 buildings should receive full refresher training every two years.

Where an individual staff member works in numerous buildings, they should repeat the training in the frequency defined by the highest Category of building in which they work.