Learning objectives

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand why health and safety is important
• Recognise hazards and risks in the workplace
• Identify how to control hazards safely
• Understand the importance of improving safety performance
• Understand individual responsibilities in maintaining a safe workplace.

Course structure and modules

Module 1: introducing working safely:

• Importance of health and safety
• Moral, legal and financial reasons for managing health and safety
• The individual’s role in workplace safety
• Common workplace incidents and accidents
• The distinction between hazard and risk.

Module 2: defining hazard and risk:

• Definitions: hazard, risk, control measures
• Examples of common workplace hazards:
• Slips, trips and falls
• Manual handling
• Noise and vibration
• Chemicals and substances (COSHH)
• Fire hazards
• Electricity
• Stress and wellbeing
• Risk assessment principles (5 steps).

Module 3: identifying common hazards:

• Workplace hazards: physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial
• Identifying typical workplace hazards relevant to the participants’ industries
• Hierarchy of control measures.

Module 4: improving safety performance:

• Active vs reactive monitoring
• The role of supervision and leadership
• Incident reporting and investigation
• Introduction to safety management systems
• Employee responsibility for safety improvement
• The importance of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Module 5: protecting the environment:

• Introduction to environmental responsibility
• Minimizing waste and pollution
• Reducing resource use: energy, water, raw materials.

Assessment:

• Knowledge Check: multiple choice test at the end of the course (typically 10–20 questions)
• Practical Assessment: hazard spotting exercise to demonstrate hazard recognition skills.

Certification:

• Successful participants will receive the IOSH Working Safely Certificate, valid for life (some employers may request refresher training periodically).

Delivery Methods:

• Interactive presentation
• Case studies and group discussions
• Practical exercises
• Videos and real-life scenarios
• End-of-course assessment.

Target Audience:

• Employees at all levels
• New starters
• Contractors
• Temporary staff
• Anyone needing a basic understanding of workplace health and safety.

The housing sector presents a wide range of health and safety challenges across both office-based, community-based, and maintenance/repair activities. The IOSH Working Safely course can be effectively targeted to.

Frontline operational staff

These are the employees most likely to be directly exposed to hazards during their day-to-day work:

• Repairs and Maintenance Operatives:
  • Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, decorators, general repairs staff.
• Grounds Maintenance Teams:
  • Gardeners, landscapers, estate caretakers, waste operatives.
• Facilities Management Staff:
  • Cleaners, janitors, caretakers, estate managers, facilities officers.
• Void Property Teams:
  • Cleaning, pest control, clearance operatives.

Why?

They face physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic risks daily, including working at height, manual handling, hazardous substances (COSHH), slips/trips/falls, lone working, and tool/machinery hazards.

Customer-facing and community staff

These employees often work with vulnerable tenants and need awareness of personal safety as well as basic workplace safety:

• Housing officers / Tenancy support officers
• Community engagement staff
• Neighbourhood officers / estate officers
• Anti-social behaviour teams
• Sheltered/supported housing wardens.

Why?

They may encounter aggressive behaviours, lone working risks, site visits, environmental hazards in tenant homes, and safeguarding situations.

Office-based support staff

While perceived risks are lower, office staff still benefit from basic health and safety knowledge:

• Customer Service Teams
• Call Centre Staff
• HR, Finance, IT, Admin Staff.

Why?

They face workstation risks (DSE), fire safety, evacuation procedures, stress and wellbeing risks.

Contractors and agency workers:

• External contractors brought in for repairs, cleaning, pest control, void management, facilities services, etc
• Temporary agency staff supporting frontline or back-office functions.

Why?

Many housing associations mandate a base level of health and safety awareness for all third-party workers.

Volunteers / partner organisations:

• Resident engagement groups
• Tenant boards
• Charity/community support volunteers who operate on housing premises.

Why?

They may be unfamiliar with organisational health and safety policies but operate within the housing environment.