Safe Work Planning

The Safe Work Planning eLearning course provides learners with an understanding of the principles involved in planning work activities so that they can be undertaken safely and effectively.

The course explores the importance of identifying hazards before work begins, assessing risks, selecting appropriate control measures and ensuring that people, equipment and resources are suitably prepared. Learners will consider how effective communication, coordination and ongoing monitoring can help ensure that work remains safe when conditions or circumstances change.

Who Should Attend?

• Employees involved in planning or coordinating workplace activities.
• Managers and supervisors.
• Team leaders.
• Employees responsible for organising work activities.
• Employees with workplace health and safety responsibilities.
• Contractors and employees involved in higher-risk work activities.
• Anyone requiring an understanding of safe work planning principles.

What You Will Learn

• The purpose and importance of safe work planning.
• Understanding individual responsibilities when planning and undertaking work.
• Defining the scope and requirements of a work activity.
• Identifying the tasks and stages involved in completing work.
• Identifying workplace hazards before work begins.
• Understanding the difference between hazards and risks.
• Considering who may be affected by the work activity.
• Assessing the risks associated with planned work.
• Identifying appropriate control measures.
• Applying the principles of the hierarchy of controls.
• Considering whether hazards can be eliminated or reduced.
• Understanding the importance of safe systems of work.
• Recognising when permits or additional authorisations may be required.
• Considering the competence, training and experience required for the task.
• Ensuring appropriate people are allocated to the work.
• Selecting suitable tools, machinery and equipment.
• Checking that equipment is suitable and safe for use.
• Identifying appropriate personal protective equipment where required.
• Considering the working environment and surrounding activities.
• Planning access to and from the work area.
• Considering interactions with vehicles, machinery and other workplace activities.
• Establishing exclusion zones or other controls where appropriate.
• Considering emergency arrangements before work begins.
• Communicating the work plan and relevant safety information.
• Ensuring workers understand their roles, responsibilities and control measures.
• Coordinating activities where several people, teams or contractors are involved.
• Checking that required controls are in place before starting work.
• Monitoring conditions while work is being undertaken.
• Recognising changes that may affect the safety of the original work plan.
• Understanding when work should be stopped and reassessed.
• Reporting hazards, incidents and unexpected conditions appropriately.
• Reviewing completed work and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Contributing to effective and safe workplace planning.

Course Delivery

This course is delivered as self-directed eLearning through the ELMO learning platform.

Learners can work through the course at their own pace and can move backwards and forwards through the learning content as required. The course does not need to be completed in one sitting, allowing learners to leave and return to their training where necessary.

Interactive activities may be included throughout the course to reinforce key learning points.

Assessment

Knowledge and understanding are checked through online assessment activities. Depending on the course content, these may include multiple-choice questions, matching exercises, drag-and-drop activities and image-based questions.

A minimum score of 70% is required to successfully complete the course.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course and assessment requirements, learners will receive a UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Accredited Certificate of Training.

This is an awareness-based eLearning course and does not, on its own, demonstrate competence to plan or supervise specialist or high-risk work activities. Employers must ensure that individuals responsible for planning work have sufficient knowledge, training, experience and authority for the activities and hazards involved.

Course Duration

The course is self-directed and learners can progress through the content at their own pace. Completion time may therefore vary depending on the individual learner.