Organization and methodology of training in the field of occupational health and safety.

The obligation to organize and conduct occupational health and safety training results from the Labor Code, which specifies the rights and obligations of employees and employers.

Detailed rules in the field of occupational health and safety, the scope of this training, requirements regarding the content and implementation of training programs, the method of documenting training and cases in which the employer or employees may be exempt from specific types of training are specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labor.

Rules for conducting occupational health and safety training.

1. Occupational health and safety training takes place during working time and at the employer’s expense,
2. The employer cannot allow an employee to work for which he or she does not have the required qualifications or skills, as well as sufficient knowledge of health and safety regulations and principles.
3. In addition, the employer is obliged to ensure that the employee is trained in occupational health and safety before allowing him to work and to conduct periodic training in this area.
4. The employer is also obliged to complete occupational health and safety training to the extent necessary to perform his duties, and this training should be repeated periodically.
5. Training of an employee before being allowed to work is not required only if he or she starts working in the same position that he or she held with a given employer immediately before concluding another employment contract with that employer.

Methods of conducting training in the field of occupational health and safety:

1. Instruction – a form of training lasting no less than 2 hours, enabling the acquisition, updating or supplementing knowledge and skills regarding work performance and behavior in the workplace in a manner consistent with occupational health and safety regulations and principles.
2. Course – a form of training with a duration of not less than 15 teaching hours, consisting of theoretical and practical classes, enabling obtaining, updating or supplementing knowledge and skills in the field of occupational health and safety.
3. Guided self-education – a form of training enabling obtaining, updating or supplementing knowledge and skills in the field of occupational health and safety, based on materials provided by the training organizer, in particular using e-mail and the Internet, while ensuring consultations with people who meet the requirements for lecturers.
4. Seminar – a form of training lasting no less than 5 hours, enabling the acquisition, updating or supplementing knowledge and skills in the field of occupational health and safety.

On-the-job training methodology

On-the-job training should familiarize training participants with the work environment factors occurring at their workstations and the occupational risks related to the work performed, methods of protection against the threats that these factors may cause, and methods of safely performing work at these positions.

On-the-job training is part of the initial occupational health and safety training. It is carried out before being allowed to work at the workplace where the employee will be employed. It should include all types of work that will be performed by the employee. On-the-job training is conducted by a person in charge of employees designated by the employer. The duration of individual stages of on-the-job training depends on the employee’s professional preparation, previous employment experience and the threats occurring in the position held.

On-the-job training program

Stage I is to make people aware of the goals and tasks of the training by conducting an introductory conversation between the instructor and the instructed employee.

Stage II is the transition from theory to practice through the instructor’s demonstration and explanation of the entire process to be carried out by the employee during work.

Stage III is the systematization of knowledge by testing the work process by the employee and correcting the methods of work by the instructor.

Stage IV is the consolidation of knowledge and skills, including the employee’s independent work under the supervision of an instructor.

A detailed on-the-job training program should provide for informing the employee, among others: about:

• safe and hygienic working conditions
• conditions in the room and at the workplace
• technical and organizational requirements
• the trainee should be reminded of or acquainted with the content of the occupational health and safety instructions for work equipment used at his/her position
• instructing the employee that he should notify his supervisor as soon as possible about any irregularities he notices (the trainee should be reminded that if he notices any damage or defect during work, he should not use the damaged equipment or repair it)
• informing the employee where the first aid kit is located and which employee is assigned to operate the first aid kit. Also tell us about the employees assigned to provide first aid. Familiarize the employee with the first aid instructions and show him where such instructions are posted.
• informing the employee how to behave in the event of a fire (including where the nearest emergency exit is, fire extinguishing equipment, rules of movement, etc.) it
• is worth familiarizing the employee with the rules of conduct in the event of an accident