How to choose the best health and safety course in 3 simple steps

Are you looking to enrol in a health and safety course? If so, you’ll be happy to know that this kind of training goes a long way towards making you stand out to employers, or shine in your current place of employment. If you’re set on enrolling in health and safety training, you’re also probably wondering how to go about choosing the best course for your individual needs. In just a few minutes of reading, we’ll get you up to speed with how to choose the most suitable course.

Benefits of taking a health and safety course

Before we launch into a few of the steps you need to follow to choose the best course for you, there’s more to know about the benefits of this kind of training. A health and safety course can provide a wide range of benefits for both individuals and businesses. For individuals, these courses can help to increase knowledge and understanding of health and safety protocols.

This will guarantee improved safety at home and in the workplace, and, if you’re job hunting, this kind of certification will make your CV look attractive to potential employers. For some industries, health and safety training is a prerequisite. It also helps that health and safety managers are currently in high demand in South Africa. So without further ado, let’s break down the process of choosing the perfect course.

Step 1: Assess your needs

With so many health and safety courses available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. The first step is to assess your needs.

You should ask yourself:

• What are the health and safety risks associated with my job, or dream job?
• Am I required to have a certain level of training in order to comply with health and safety regulations?

Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can start to research the different courses available. Look for a course that covers the topics you need to know about and that is delivered by a reputable provider. It is also important to make sure that the course is affordable and that it will fit into your schedule.

Step 2: Do your research

During this step of the process, you’ll need to find out about the different types of health and safety courses available online or in person. There’s a plethora of courses out there, which can make choosing the right one a bit of a challenge. As an example, here are a few of the different courses offered by us at Emcare:

• Health and safety induction course (OHS1/2)
  
  This short course is a great start for any aspiring health and safety manager, or simply an individual looking to get a better understanding of safety protocols. This 4-hour course briefs participants on the basic fundamentals of health and safety in the workplace by facilitating baseline knowledge of safety in the working environment. Two interesting topics covered in the course include fire fighting awareness and emergency evacuations.
  
  
• Health and safety representative course (OHS3)
  
  This more advanced course incorporates reflexive, practical, and theoretical learning to prepare individuals for the role of a health and safety representative. Participants are properly exposed to the specific requirements and functions of such an employee in the workplace. It also covers all the relevant South African health and safety legislation.
  
  
• OHS supervisors course (OHSS)
  
  This extensive course equips potential or existing H&S managers, coordinators, or supervisors with an all-round understanding of health and safety. It also helps them build the required skills to successfully manage teams. Some aspects covered in this 5-day course include:
  
  
  • Risk assessment
  • Accident and incident investigations
  • Legal liability

Step 3: Choose a health and safety course provider

Once you’ve made up your mind on the type of course you’d like to take, it’s time to choose a provider. When it comes to health and safety, there is no room for compromise. That's why it's so important to choose a health and safety course provider that meets your needs and expectations.

Here are some things to keep in mind when making your decision:

• Make sure the provider is reputable and has a good track record.
  
  There are many providers out there, but not all of them are equally reputable. Do some research and read reviews to make sure you're choosing a provider with a good reputation.
• Make sure the provider offers courses that are relevant to your needs.
  
  Different providers offer different courses, so it's important to make sure the provider you choose offers courses that are relevant to your needs. For example, if you're looking for a health and safety course for construction workers, make sure the provider offers such a course.
  
  
• Make sure the provider is affordable.
  
  Health and safety courses can be expensive, so it's important to find a provider that offers competitive rates. Get quotes from multiple providers and compare prices before making your decision.
  
  
• Make sure the provider is convenient.
  
  You're more likely to complete a course if it's convenient for you to do so. If your schedule is tight, look for a provider that offers flexible scheduling or online courses.

If you consider all these factors, you can be confident you're choosing the right health and safety course provider for your needs. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to contact any of the providers you are considering. The provider will be able to put your mind at ease, or alternatively steer you away from its services.

Taking a health and safety course with Emcare

Now that you know exactly how to choose the best health and safety course for your needs, we advise you to check out the different courses we have on offer. We’ve been a trusted provider for many years, responsible for training some of the industry’s finest health and safety professionals. We’ve got you covered with all your training needs.

Tips for making the most out of your health and safety course

There are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your health and safety training course:

• First, it's important to arrive on time and fully prepared. This means having all the necessary materials with you and being ready to focus for the duration of the class.
• Second, it's a good idea to take some notes during the course. This will help you to remember the key points covered and refer back to them later on.
• Finally, don't hesitate to ask questions if you're unsure about something. The course instructor will be happy to clarify any points that you're unclear about.

By following these simple tips, you can be sure that you'll get the most out of your health and safety course.