Competence, education and training

• Author: International Labour Organization
• Pages: 66-68

66

MEISI05-R-2005-02-0159-1-En.doc

15. Competence, education and training

15.1. General

15.1.1. The necessary OSH competence requirements should be defined by the

employer based on the provisions of the national laws or regulations, in consultation with

workers and their representatives, and appropriate training arrangements established and

maintained to ensure that all persons are competent to perform the OSH aspects of their

present or planned duties and responsibilities.

15.1.2. Employers should have, or should have access to, sufficient OSH competence

to identify and eliminate or control work-related hazards and risks, and to implement the

OSH management system. Specific training needs can be identified from the initial and

ongoing hazard identification, risk assessment and evaluation of control measures.

15.1.3. Training programmes should:

(a) cover all workers at the facility, including contractors, as appropriate;

(b) be conducted by competent persons;

(c) provide effective and timely initial and refresher training at appropriate intervals, in a

manner and language understood by the workers;

(d) include participant evaluation for comprehension and retention of the training;

(e) be reviewed periodically by the safety and health committee, where it exists or by the

employer in consultation with workers and their representatives, and modified as

necessary;

(f) be documented.

15.1.4. The form and the content of training, particularly for new workers, should be

devised and implemented in consultation with workers or their representatives, and should

be in accordance with the identified needs, and may include:

(a) pertinent aspects of OSH legislation and any collective agreement, such as the rights,

responsibilities and duties of competent authorities, employers, contractors and

workers;

(b) assessments, reviews and exposure measurements, and the rights and duties of

workers in this regard;

(c) the role of health surveillance, the rights and duties of workers in this regard, and

access to information;

(d) instructions on PPE as may be necessary, its significance, correct use and limitations,

and in particular on factors which may show inadequacy or malfunction of the

equipment, and the measures which may be required for the workers to protect

themselves;

(e) the nature and degree of hazards or risks to safety and health which may occur,

including any factors which may influence that risk, such as appropriate hygiene

practices;