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Electrical safety training is not simply about sending people on a course.
Different people have different responsibilities, encounter different hazards and require different levels of knowledge and competence.
Yet it can be tempting to take a standardised approach to training, particularly in larger organisations.
The question shouldn’t simply be:
“Have our people received electrical safety training?”
A better question is:
“Have our people received the right training for what they are actually expected to do?”
Start with the role, not the course
Before selecting training, it is important to understand what an individual is expected to do and the electrical risks they may encounter.
Someone managing electrical contractors will have very different training requirements from someone carrying out electrical work.
Likewise, a manager responsible for electrical safety governance may require a different level of knowledge from someone involved in isolation, switching or maintenance activities.
Training should therefore reflect responsibility, exposure to risk and the decisions an individual is expected to make.
Job titles don’t always tell the whole story.
One of the challenges organisations face is that job titles don’t necessarily reflect people’s actual responsibilities.
Two people with similar titles may have very different levels of involvement with electrical systems.
Roles also evolve. People take on additional responsibilities, equipment changes and working practices develop.
Training that was appropriate three years ago may not necessarily be appropriate today.
Ask the right questions.
When considering electrical safety training, organisations should look beyond course availability and ask:
- What is this person actually responsible for?
- What electrical hazards could they encounter?
- Are they carrying out work, supervising it or managing those who do?
- Do they understand the limits of their own responsibilities?
- What existing knowledge and experience do they have?
- Are there gaps that need addressing?
Only then can appropriate training requirements be properly considered.
Avoid training for training’s sake.
More training isn’t necessarily better training.
Sending someone on a course that doesn’t reflect their role can waste time and budget without addressing the real competence requirement.
Equally, insufficient training can leave individuals ill-equipped to fulfil their responsibilities safely.
The objective should be appropriate training that gives people the knowledge and understanding they need for their particular role.
Where does ESUK Core Training fit?
ESUK Core Training covers a range of electrical safety subjects designed for different roles, responsibilities and levels of knowledge.
Rather than assuming a single course suits everyone, ESUK can help organisations consider what their people actually do and identify the training most appropriate to their needs.
This can also help highlight where Core Training is appropriate and where more specialist or advanced training may be required.
Not sure where to start?
If you are reviewing electrical safety training across your organisation, don’t begin with a list of courses.
Begin with your people, their responsibilities and the risks they manage.
Talk to ESUK about your training requirements and we can help you identify the right starting point.
