An online Workplace Safety, Health and Welfare Induction training course, aimed at supporting employers to deliver induction to new employees, has been launched by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo.
The free online induction comprises a suite of short awareness-raising courses which can be used along with workplace-specific training. The induction can be accessed on the HSA elearning portal and the ATU Free Courses portal at Workplace Safety Health and Welfare at Work Induction.
The Workplace Safety, Health and Welfare Induction consists of eight units covering health and safety areas designed to help employees to stay safe while at work. Units 1 and 2 are compulsory and cover key employer and employee roles and responsibilities as well as work-related stress. Units 3 to 8 are optional and can be selected as appropriate to the specific work environment. Topics include manual handling; ergonomics; housekeeping in the workplace; chemical safety; workplace transport safety; noise and machinery.
Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, said that this free online induction will support those seeking to enter the workforce, as well as employers who wish to refresh their employees’ awareness of health and safety. “It offers a high degree of flexibility as the course is available 24/7 and can be taken online from anywhere,” she added.
Digital badges are awarded to learners for each unit taken, while a certificate is also awarded to learners on successful completion of the course sections, which includes a short online assessment. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.
Once complete, learners can download their certificates which employers can retain as part of training records. Employers can also register employee groups to take the induction using the Group Manager facility.
The suite of online courses was developed as a collaboration between the HSA, the Occupational Safety and Health lecturers at the Department of Environmental Science (ATU Sligo) and the Online, Flexible & Professional Development Unit (ATU).
Courses are available via the following links:
*HSA eLearning portal https://hsalearning.ie/
*Workplace Safety, Health and Welfare Induction https://hsalearning.ie/mod/page/view.php?id=523
*ATU Free Courses portal https://freecourses.atu.ie