Health and Safety Checks

[LisaSpectator]

Hi

Can anyone point me in the right direction for current guidance and responsibilities for training providers in respect of Health & Safety checks to be carried out at employers (new and existing)?

Many thanks

Lisa

• This topic was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Lisa.

[Martin WestSpectator]

Hi Lisa,
There is no requirement under the funding rules for Training Providers to undertake Health and Safety checks, although the following advice from the HSE is applicable.

Training providers (England and Wales only)
Training providers include all those who arrange or fill apprentice vacancies. This includes third party sub contractors.and also includes those who are only involved in organising the off the job training element of the apprenticeship.

The employer has the primary responsibility for the health and safety of the apprentice and should be managing any significant risks. As the training provider, you should take reasonable steps to satisfy yourself that the employer is doing this
This does not mean trying to second guess an employer’s risk assessment or risk control measures, and you are not required to carry out your own workplace assessment
You can rely on past experience, for example, if the employer is familiar to you and they have a good track record on health and safety. You should keep checks in proportion to the environment:
For low risk environments, such as an office or shop, with everyday risks that will mostly be familiar to the apprentice, simply speaking with the employer to confirm this should be enough. This can be part of any wider conversation on placement arrangements that may take place.
For environments with less familiar risks, like light assembly or packing facilities, talk to the employer to find out what the apprentice will be doing and confirm the employer has arrangements for managing risks, including induction, training, supervision, site familiarisation, and any protective equipment that might be needed.
For higher risk environments such as construction, agriculture or manufacturing, discuss with the employer what the apprentice will be doing, the risks involved and how these are managed, satisfying yourself that the instruction, training and supervisory arrangements have been properly thought through.

[LisaSpectator]

Hi Martin,

Thank you as always – can I ask how other TP’s currently evidence what they do with regards to the reasonable steps?

We always complete a check each time we meet with a new employer, hold a form as evidence of this and we diarise to check annually, going forward, that their Employer liability insurance certificates are in date and we hold those details.

Many thanks

Lisa

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Lisa.

[Martin WestSpectator]

Hi Lisa,
What you are currently doing is a result of historic previous requirements that have not been required for several years.

The HSE are clear in that ‘you are not required to carry out your own workplace assessment’ of Apprentice Employers.

Providers in general have been reluctant to stop the previous requirement for workplace assessments and checking that employers have current employers liability insurance, but this is no longer required as this is the responsibility of the employer.

If a training provider identifies during their normal working with the Apprentice/Employer any Health and Safety concerns then all they are required to do is discuss this with the employer, you would evidence this in reviews or other communication with the employer.
HTH

[LisaSpectator]

Hi Martin

Thank you for clarifying for me.

Much appreciated 🙂

Lisa

[LisaSpectator]

Good Morning Martin,

Can I also ask you if you percieve this to also apply to traineeship learners while they undertake their external work experience?
Many thanks

Lisa

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Lisa.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Lisa.

[Martin WestSpectator]

Hi,
The previous guidance was related to Apprenticeships but the HSE guidance for work experience placements is similar, see the following link:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/workexperience/organiser.htm
HTH