All employers have regulatory responsibilities with which they must comply. To meet these obligations, training must be provided to equip staff with the knowledge and skills to support a safe workplace. Organisations must be able to evidence that staff have completed this training. As a member of staff, you are responsible for applying the learning to your work or raising concerns where this is not possible.
Terms you might come across in your workplace:
Statutory training: This type of training is usually required by law or where a statutory body has instructed an organisation to provide training based on specific legislation.
Examples include:
- awareness of the local health and safety policy
- awareness of the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
- when and how to report injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR)
- fire safety awareness training
- manual handling training
- basic risk assessment training
- annual updates in essential areas of fire safety and manual handling.
Mandatory training: This is compulsory training that is determined essential by an organisation for the safe and efficient delivery of services. It is designed to reduce organisational risks and comply with local or national policies and government guidelines.
Mandatory training might include (but is not limited to):
- blood transfusion processes
- child protection
- display and screen equipment
- dementia awareness
- equality awareness and eliminating bullying and harassment
- incident reporting
- hand hygiene
- hazardous substances
- infection prevention and control
- information governance
- mental capacity and safeguarding adults
- medicines handling and management
- medical devices
- patient slips, trips and falls
- personal protective equipment
- resuscitation
- venous thromboembolism
- raising concerns and whistleblowing
- violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Employers must update mandatory training regularly but are free to set their own protocols and policies on timescales. Staff have a contractual obligation to adhere to these policies and protocols.
The terms ‘Essential’ and ‘Compulsory’ are used interchangeably to describe both statutory and mandatory training. ‘StatMand’ is an informal term, blending statutory and mandatory together.
If employed as bank staff, or with an agency, you need to ensure you have accessed all mandatory training. Seek guidance and training when working in new settings, or with unfamiliar polices. These can help you to work safely in new and unfamiliar environments.
For revalidation with the NMC, registered nurses must undertake 35 hours of CPD. These hours are over and above your mandatory or statutory training provided.
It is important to keep a record if, for any reason, you are unable to complete your mandatory training. Not completing mandatory training could stop your career and pay progression. It is vital that you can evidence when this is due to no fault of your own. RCN learning reps can help with concerns about mandatory training in your workplace.
Here at the RCN, we have more than 300 accredited safety representatives working across health care. These reps play a valuable role in supporting workforce health, safety and wellbeing. They are a great source of support and advice on health and safety issues.
Contact our advice team for more information or visit: rcn.org.uk/reps