Practical workplace guidance

Health and safety resources

Clear, useful advice to help you protect your people, meet your responsibilities and run a safer workplace.

From the HSEDocs team

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Construction worker in hard hat reviewing a method statement document.

What is a method statement, and do I really need one?

Many of our customers have asked, “What is a method statement, and do I really need one?” Customers have also been known to feel apprehensive about getting the document right and including all the required information. So let's first look at what a method statement aims to achieve, and this is: To show someone the correct steps to follow in order to complete a task. To carry out the above safely. So, essentially, a method statement provides instructions and a safe system of work for carrying out a task. It not only tells people the correct way and order to do things but can also instruct on what not to do.

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Femaile office worker holding a folder of tangible risk assessments close to her chest

Are Your Risk Assessments Tangible?

A risk assessment is a health and safety document that identifies potential risks in the workplace and outlines measures to control and minimise the likelihood of injuries. There should be a risk assessment for every task carried out in a workplace, but this could diminish their value as people may view them as paper exercises and not a genuine reason for concern. As an example: If construction workers had to put on safety boots and gloves before going on-site, there should be a risk assessment for each process. A risk assessment telling people to check boots for mice, scorpions, and tarantulas could be created, but it would devalue the purpose of risk assessments.

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Happy chef trained to level 2 food hygiene in a commercial kitchen

Who Is Food Hygiene Level 2 Training For?

This course is suitable for all people who prepare food. Upon successful completion, a certificate is awarded that is valid for three years, internationally recognised, and counts towards the FHRS Food Hygiene Rating. To determine the level of food hygiene training you need, consider your job role and daily tasks. Front of House & Waiting staff require Level 1 training, as do Portera & Assistants. Chefs and Line Cooks require Level 2 training. Kitchen Managers & Supervisors need a Level 3 certificate. Restaurant Owners or Ops Managers need the Level 4.

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Enthusiastic chefs preparing food, level 3 food hygiene training might be needed for supervisors.

Who Needs a Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate?

Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene training is imperative for anyone who manages or supervises others who handle food or drinks. This includes kitchen managers and supervisors, head chefs, food business owners, managers and supervisors at food retailers and manufacturers, and landlords and pub owners, regardless of whether the premises serve food. A Level 3 Food Hygiene course teaches everything in a Level 2 course, as well as kitchen hygiene management using the HACCP system to plan, record, and manage appropriate food safety systems and their timescales.

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Greengrocer with fresh produce. Level one food hygiene training concepts. Stock rotation. Visual inspection.

Who Needs Level 1 Food Hygiene

Are you considering taking a food hygiene certificate Level 1 training course but unsure if it's right for you? This blog post will explore who can benefit from this training and whether it suits you. Food hygiene certificate Level 1 is for people serving meals, delivering or handling prepackaged foods, or handling raw foodstuffs requiring no refrigeration or specific shelf life, such as fruit, nuts, and vegetables; dried rice and pasta; tea bags; herbs and spices.

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HSEDocs training team on a stage

Trying to Find an Online Training Provider?

At HSEDocs, we've got you covered with a diverse array of online health and safety training courses. Whether it's an online Manual Handling Course, a Food Safety Level 2 Course, a Working at Height Online Course, an Asbestos Awareness Course, or an online Diversity Training Course, we have the course that suits your needs.

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Woman smiling and carrying a heavy box: manual handling and workplace safety.

Manual handling. Not just about lifting boxes.

In the past, the emphasis of a manual handling training course was often on lifting a box to obtain a manual handling certificate. Yet, manual handling encompasses a wide range of tasks, including pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting, lowering, passing, bending, twisting, stretching, and yes, even lifting boxes. This scope of manual handling tasks underscores the need for good manual handling training.

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Female chef in kitchen, food safety training courses for hospitality staff.

Understanding Food Safety Certificates

Food safety courses are also known as food hygiene courses, but rest assured, they are both the same thing, and their official name is food safety. Food Safety Level 1: For people who serve food or handle packaged food. Food Safety Level 2: For people who prepare or handle unpackaged food. Food Safety Level 3: For people who manage/supervise level 1 and/or level 2 food handlers. The first step in mastering food safety principles is obtaining the Food Safety Certificate Level 1 or 2.

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Man in PPE working at height off a mewp

Stepping Up Safely with A Work at Height Certificate

One of the most common workplace accidents is falling from height, emphasising the importance of recognising specific hazards when working at height and placing safety as the highest priority. Whether you work in construction, warehouses, or any other industry involving elevated areas, it's crucial to fully comprehend the potential risks and learn how to minimise them effectively. This thorough guide will delve into the essential aspects of safely working at height and equip you with the necessary knowledge to ensure safe practices.

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