New British Safety Council SHE qualifications

New qualifications aim to teach workers how to stay safe and reduce environmental impacts

THE British Safety Council has launched a new range of accredited health, safety and environmental qualifications designed to teach employees how to keep themselves and others healthy and safe at work, and to reduce the environmental impact of their organization’s day-to-day activities.

The 11 new qualifications have all been accredited by the qualifications regulator, Ofqual, in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and can be delivered by employers, private training providers, schools and colleges using learning materials provided by the British Safety Council.

The various Level 1 and 2 qualifications provide existing workers, those new to the workplace or seeking employment, and young people preparing to enter the workplace for the first time, with essential knowledge and understanding of:

• General health and safety risks and sensible control measures for all types of workplace and business sector
• Sustainability issues and ways of reducing their own and their organization’s environmental impacts
• The risks posed by and precautions required for fire safety in the workplace, manual handling and work involving exposure to hazardous substances
• Preventing the skin disease dermatitis in industries such as construction.

Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: ‘Health, safety and environmental qualifications allow existing workers and those entering the workplace for the first time to improve their knowledge and skills, which in turn helps make workplaces safer and healthier for everyone, and helps businesses to act in a more sustainable fashion.

‘Employees who gain formal qualifications feel valued, supported and engaged with their organization, and completion of accredited qualifications also helps to develop a professional culture at work.’

Further new accredited Level 2 and 3 health and safety qualifications will be launched in September 2014 including: Emergency and general first aid at work; Safe driving at work; and
Mental health awareness.

For further information visit the British Safety Council website.