Competence in health and safety means having the skills to do a job well. It combines proper training, experience, knowledge, and other key qualities.
Key Aspects of Competence:
- Skill: The ability to do tasks well.
- Knowledge: Understanding job principles and practices.
- Attitude: The right mindset for safety and responsibility.
- Training: Formal education to provide the basics.
- Experience: Practical application of what’s learned over time.
This can be memorised with the acronym: SKATE
To maintain competence, organisations need systems to ensure workers have the right skills for their roles. These systems should define what workers do to prevent incidents and how training plays a part. They should also align with risk assessments and control measures.
Acknowledging personal limits is key. Getting the right preparation and qualifications ensures competence in specific activities.
Training for Competence
Induction Training:
Training new hires is crucial. During induction, organisations set clear expectations for safety standards and behaviour.
- First Day: Focuses on basic orientation, including safety policies, site hazards, emergency procedures, and reporting protocols.
- First Week: Explores policies and responsibilities more deeply and introduces key safety personnel. New hires learn about job-specific hazards and risk controls.
- First 3 to 6 Months: Competence continues to grow through supervision and training that builds confidence and skill.
Refresher Training:
Competence can fade without practice. Regular refresher training keeps employees’ skills sharp and encourages experienced staff to share knowledge with newer staff.
Additional Training:
New workplace risks call for more training to keep staff competent. These risks might involve:
- New equipment or procedures
- Changing job roles
- New legislation or technology
Additional training also addresses issues found through accident analysis, risk assessments, and audits.
Competence underpins workplace safety. It’s a mix of skills, knowledge, attitude, training, and experience. Consistent training, education, and evaluations keep workers competent and create safer workplaces.
