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Completing electrical safety training shouldn’t mean the subject can be considered dealt with indefinitely.
People change roles. Responsibilities evolve. Equipment changes. Standards and guidance are being developed. Knowledge can fade if it isn’t regularly applied.
So how do you know when it’s time to refresh electrical safety training?
There isn’t necessarily one answer that applies to everyone.
That’s why organisations need to think beyond simply looking at the date on a training certificate.
Competence needs to be maintained.
As we discussed in our previous article, competence isn’t demonstrated by qualifications or training certificates alone.
It requires appropriate knowledge, skills, experience and the ability to apply them effectively.
And importantly, competence needs to be maintained.
Training plays an important role in that process.
What can trigger the need for refresher training?
Rather than waiting for an arbitrary date, organisations should consider whether anything has changed that could affect an individual’s ability to carry out their responsibilities safely.
That might include:
- A change in role or responsibilities
- New electrical equipment or systems
- Changes to working practices
- Changes in relevant standards or guidance
- An incident or near miss
- Evidence of unsafe or inconsistent working practices
- A significant period since knowledge was last used or assessed.
Any of these could provide a reason to review someone’s training requirements.
Don’t wait for something to go wrong.
An incident shouldn’t be the first indication that knowledge has become outdated.
Regularly reviewing training requirements allows organisations to identify potential gaps before they contribute to unsafe decisions or working practices.
This is particularly important for people who hold electrical safety responsibilities but may not use their technical knowledge every day.
Refresher training shouldn’t simply repeat previous training.
Effective refresher training should reinforce essential knowledge while also reflecting changes that have occurred since the individual’s previous training.
It should ask:
What does this person know now?
What has changed?
What do they need to know for the role they perform today?
This makes refresher training relevant rather than simply repetitive.
When did you last review your training requirements?
It is easy to maintain records showing when people attended courses.
The more important question is whether their current knowledge remains appropriate for their current responsibilities.
Regular reviews of training and competence can help organisations identify gaps and plan for development before those gaps become risks.
ESUK Core Training
ESUK Core Training offers a range of electrical safety courses that cover different responsibilities and levels of knowledge.
Whether you are training someone for the first time, refreshing existing knowledge or responding to changes in responsibilities, ESUK can help identify the most appropriate training.
If you’re unsure whether your team’s electrical safety training is still appropriate, talk to ESUK. We can help you review your requirements and identify the right next step.
