EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Initial OHS Training

Are you interested in initial Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training?

When we think about OHS, the most common first association is training in the field of safety and hygiene at work conducted right after signing the contract but before starting tasks resulting from it. Undoubtedly, initial OHS training is crucial for raising awareness among employees about potential hazards related to their positions and for coping with any inconveniences such as fires or accidents. 

According to the Labor Code (Art. 94, point 4), employers are obliged to conduct training in this field, and it is within their scope to ensure safe working conditions for their staff. Besides technical aspects, knowledge of OHS principles plays a crucial role, and this knowledge is imparted during both periodic and initial training sessions.


FAQ

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From the Labor Code, specifically from § 2 art. 237(3), it follows that the employer is obligated to provide employee training in occupational health and safety (OHS) before they are allowed to perform duties arising from the signed contract.

If you are a newly hired person in a company, a student undergoing a student internship, or an apprentice undergoing practical vocational training – before starting work, you undergo initial OHS training covering general instructions and job-specific instructions. This is because an employee must not be allowed to work until they have been trained in safety matters.

The purpose of initial OHS training is to provide newly employed workers with knowledge about:

  • basic safety and hygiene regulations, as outlined in the Labor Code, collective labor agreements, or workplace regulations;
  • regulations and principles of safety and hygiene at work that apply in the specific workplace;
  • principles of providing first aid in case of an accident;
  • risks associated with performing specific tasks;
  • environmental factors to which they may be exposed, considering their particular position.

The division into initial and periodic training arises from the Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labor dated July 27, 2004, regarding training in the field of occupational health and safety.

Initial OHS training is intended for all individuals commencing work in a given workplace.

Periodic OHS training aims to update and solidify knowledge and skills in the field of occupational health and safety and acquaint participants with new technical and organizational solutions in this area.

The framework program for initial training is divided into two parts: general instruction and position-specific instruction, which are usually conducted by individuals dedicated to this purpose.

The initial occupational health and safety training card is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the day of its completion.

Job-specific occupational health and safety training is repeated when there are changes in the technical-organizational conditions in the workplace. Additionally, if there is a change in the employee’s position or duties encompassing responsibilities assigned to multiple positions, the training is conducted again.

If you are an employer or hold a managerial position on another post, you are obliged to undergo periodic occupational health and safety training within 6 months of starting work on the given position.

On the other hand, if you occupy different positions, for example, those classified as engineering-technical or manual labor positions, you must undergo periodic training within 12 months of starting work on the position.

The cost of initial occupational health and safety training depends largely on the following factors:

  • Training format – online or in-person (at the client’s premises). Online training is usually less expensive.
  • Group size – for larger groups, the cost per participant is generally lower.

The cost of occupational health and safety training includes:

  1. Conducting the training itself – either in-person or online.
  2. Travel to your company – applicable for in-person training sessions.
  3. Post-training consultations.
  4. Issuance of the relevant training certificate.
1.

Contact 

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2.

Conversation

The second step is to understand the client’s needs and propose conditions

3.

Cooperation

The third step is to establish cooperation and start activities


REFERENCES

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Agnieszka conducted OHS training for employees of my company. I recommend her as a very good and professional trainer. The whole process went smoothly and in a pleasant atmosphere.

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) INITIAL TRAINING – FOUNDATION BEFORE STARTING WORK

After hiring a new employee, the first priority is to ensure initial training. When should it be conducted? It’s generally best to plan it for the first day of work. According to the Labor Code, before an individual commences their duties under the employment contract, they must undergo general training, which includes both general and job-specific instruction.

The Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labor dated July 27, 2004, regarding training in the field of occupational health and safety, specifies:

  • Principles of OHS training.
  • Scope of training.
  • Requirements for the content and implementation of training programs.
  • Documentation methods for initial training.
  • Cases in which employers or employees may be exempted from specific types of training.

GENERAL AND JOB-SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION – INITIAL OHS TRAINING PROGRAM

Are you interested in initial OHS training in Warsaw? Don’t worry! EHS Consulting will ensure the professional conduct of general and job-specific instruction in your company! Who is it for, and what do the individual training stages include?

  • General Instruction

Its aim is to familiarize individuals with basic safety and hygiene regulations derived from:

  • The Labor Code and collective labor agreements;
  • Work regulations;
  • Regulations and safety and hygiene rules applicable in the specific workplace;
  • First aid procedures in case of accidents.

Everyone, including new employees, students employed under a graduate internship agreement, and apprentices undergoing practical vocational training, must participate in this instruction before commencing work.

  • Job-Specific Instruction

The second stage involves providing the employee with information about:

  • environmental factors directly related to the job;
  • occupational risks;
  • methods to safely perform the job.

This instruction is conducted when:

  • employees are exposed to health-hazardous factors;
  • employees are transferred to another position exposed to harmful factors;
  • apprentices undergo practical vocational training;
  • students undertake student internships.

INITIAL OHS TRAINING CARD – DOCUMENTING CONDUCTED TRAINING

The document confirming completion of general and job-specific instruction is the so-called initial OHS training card. How do you complete it to include all necessary information? 

  • fill in the employer’s full name;
  • enter the name and surname of the employee, student, or trainee participating in the training;
  • provide basic information about the person conducting the general instruction (name and surname) and the exact date of its completion;
  • fill in the details of the job-specific instruction, such as the date it was conducted and the name and surname of the person responsible.

WHO CAN CONDUCT INITIAL OHS TRAINING? 

Wondering if the employer can conduct initial OHS training? There are situations where this is possible. However, to ensure that everything is carried out in accordance with the company’s policies and the training regulation, it’s best to seek the assistance of OHS specialists. Entrust the organization of initial OHS training in Warsaw to EHS Consulting, and you won’t have to worry about a thing!

Who can take responsibility for ensuring a detailed initial OHS training program is conducted?

  • For general instruction:
  • OHS service employee,
  • Person performing tasks of the OHS service or the employer performing such tasks,
  • Employee designated by the employer with the knowledge and skills ensuring proper implementation of the instruction program, holding a current certificate of completing the required OHS training.

  • For job-specific instruction:
  • Person designated by the employer who manages employees or the employer, but only if these individuals have the required qualifications, professional experience, and training in conducting job-specific instruction.

WHEN SHOULD INITIAL OHS TRAINING BE CONDUCTED, AND WHO COVERS ITS COSTS?

Initial OHS training covering safety and hygiene must be conducted during working hours and at the employer’s expense. It’s best to plan it on the first day, but only after signing the employment contract. This cannot happen before the commencement of the employment relationship.

If you have any doubts or questions because OHS issues are not entirely familiar to you, don’t worry! EHS Consulting will help you resolve any concerns and professionally conduct initial OHS training in Warsaw and beyond. Contact us, and together we will establish the details.

DURATION OF INITIAL OHS TRAINING IN WARSAW

Initial OHS training lasts at least two instructional hours for general instruction, while 8 instructional hours are required for job-specific instruction. The situation is slightly different for administrative-office positions – in this case, initial job-specific training is limited to 2 instructional hours.

ONLINE INITIAL OHS TRAINING – COMFORTABLE AND PROFESSIONAL WITH EHS CONSULTING

Most often, initial OHS training is organized at the employer’s premises, but due to the state of the epidemic, it can also be conducted online.

This possibility is granted by Article 12e of the Act of March 2, 2020, on special solutions related to preventing, counteracting, and combating COVID-19, other infectious diseases, and crises caused by them:

“In the period of the state of epidemic threat or the state of epidemic, it is allowed to conduct initial training in the field of occupational health and safety and service entirely through electronic means of communication, with the exception of job-specific instruction:

  1. for an employee employed in a manual position;
  2. for an employee employed in a position exposed to the action of harmful or hazardous factors;
  3. for an employee transferred to a position referred to in point 1 and 2;
  4. for an apprentice undergoing practical vocational training and a student undergoing student internship.”

INITIAL AND PERIODIC OHS TRAINING – WARSAW AND BEYOND! COLLABORATE WITH EHS CONSULTING

We understand how challenging it can be to organize work time effectively and find a moment for formalities, not to mention conducting initial OHS training for a newly hired person. That’s why we’re here for you! We can offer you the organization of training on-site in Warsaw, its vicinity, but also entirely remotely, using a platform dedicated to live meetings and events. The only requirement is access to a computer and the Internet for the training participant.

But that’s not all! After initial training, it will be time for periodic OHS training, which we can also take care of. Contact us and benefit from the professional assistance of EHS Consulting – OHS services in Warsaw and beyond.

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