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NISO Certificate in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work

This course is accredited by NISO.

Upcoming Dates / Venues

TUS Athlone: Technological University of the Shannon:
Commencing: 14 September 2026; 19.00hrs.
Classes: Online / class attendance required on 2 evenings

Dublin / Online:
Commencing 15 September 2026; 18.30hrs.*
Classes: Online via Zoom
Exam: Classroom only (NISO Training Centre)

* Dublin/Online: Please note that the first two classes will take place on Wednesday evenings, 16 and 23 September. All subsequent classes will take place on Tuesday evenings.

Note: An exam (in class) will be held a week after completion of the course (i.e. on the 13th night of the course).

Book Online
Download the Course Brochure

*Minimum number required for classroom attendance otherwise this course will be held online.
**Exam venue for online course: NISO, A11 Calmount Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12

Introduction
Occupational Health and Safety is a major concern to employers and employees across all industry sectors in small, medium and large organisations, for profit or not.

Preventable accidents, lost time and errors cost businesses both time and money, not to mention the personal pain and suffering that many accidents at work bring to those affected.

Businesses with a strategic Occupational Health and Safety plan show lower injury rates while they enjoy higher productivity and employee morale.

Effective training and awareness is probably the most cost effective safety measure available to any company. Most workers and managers will be aware of and take action in the obvious areas, mostly in a reactive capacity. However, training sharpens the mind and increases the opportunity for a proactive systematic approach to managing workplace safety and health.

Objectives
The primary objectives of this course are to equip participants with the knowledge to work safely in a variety of workplaces and to comply with the competency requirements laid down in the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

The course seeks to furnish participants with a good basic knowledge and understanding of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), outlining what is required to provide a safe place of work.

Who should attend?

Managers
Supervisors
Safety Representatives
Persons who have some responsibility for safety and health at work
Persons who wish to gain knowledge in this area.

Course Content

Irish Law

Introduction to the EU and Irish legal systems (both statute and civil) in relation to the regulation of Safety, Health and Welfare in the workplace.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the General Application Regulations 2007

Implications and requirements for employers and employees; roles of the Safety Officer and Safety Representative; role and powers of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA); significance of the safety statement as a valuable management tool; understand the provisions of the General Application Regulations.

Hazard Identification and Risk Management

Concepts of hazard and risk, the distinctions between the two; the hierarchy of control when controlling risks; how to create a safety statement following the completion of a risk assessment. Upon completion of this module, students will be asked to complete a risk assessment assignment.

Fire and Emergency Management

The statutory requirements; identification of fire hazards and assessment of their risks; fire prevention and protection including means of escape, emergency evacuation procedures, fire evacuation drills and fire fighting equipment; importance of maintaining a fire register and record keeping; role of emergency planning in fire risk management; emergency planning; first aid requirements.

Ergonomics

Understand the importance of ergonomics in the workplace; legislative requirements for control of musculoskeletal risks to employees in the workplace; management of risks associated with ergonomic hazards; the importance of adopting correct manual handling procedures, workplace design and the correct use of work equipment; importance of the correct use of Display Screen Equipment is emphasised.

Physical Hazards

Legislative control of equipment in the workplace; understand the types of hazards associated with machines; how different types of guards are employed to control machine hazards; requirements for employees to be fully trained on the use of the machines they operate; exposure to electricity and nose in the workplace; how electricity and noise can be controlled to reduce the level of risk of workers; protection and prevention controls.

Chemical Safety

Identify the statutory requirements in relation to working with chemicals; management of risks associated with chemical hazards, legislation relevant to chemicals; protection and prevention controls; relevant emergency planning; classification of chemicals and labelling; hazard and precautionary statements; safety data sheet requirements; exposure to chemicals, information and training.

Psychosocial Hazards

The major psychosocial hazards at work i.e. stress, violence and bullying; the nature and forms which bullying can manifest itself in the workplace; what managers must do to combat bullying; identification and prevention; what constitutes violence in the workplace; which workers could be subjected to violent actions; identifying potential violent situations; controls to reduce or eliminate the occurrences of violence; identifying what stress and workplace environments lead to workers being unable to cope; employee behaviour which may lead to heightened levels of stress; strategies to undertake for recognised stressful situations and once identified how they can be reduced.

Occupational Health

An introduction to occupational health; exam how workplace hazards exposure could lead to ill health; understand the routes of entry of contaminates which can affect the health of a worker; the organisation of work and exposure to substances in the workplace which could result in ill health; how this must be understood by both managers and workers and the need to prevent undue exposure which can lead to acute and chronic injury; how different biological systems are attacked by various agents and how to protect against them.

Construction Safety

Duties of the relevant persons throughout the various stages of design and construction of projects; the construction hazards and how workers can be protected from their effect; protection and preventative measures used to manage the risks associated with construction work.

Agricultural Safety

Common hazards on farms and how farm accidents can be prevented; why farming is one of the most dangerous workplaces in Ireland.; injury effects not only farmers but also their family; why children are so vulnerable on the farm more than any other situation; control of live stock as well as the use of machinery; why the farm is a unique workplace where there is exposure to a wide range of hazards which may be beyond training or expertise.

Accident Causation and Course Review

Causes of accidents in the workplace and why their investigation is important to help prevent reoccurrence. Exam the accident process Ito develop a methodology to gather information and prepare an accident report; evidence preparation; witnesses interviewed to be able to decide on the preconditions which lead to the accident. A review of the course will be conducted

Final Examination

Some of the participating organisations since 2020

Venues and Booking Details

Please contact the relevant region directly to book on the course:

East – NISO Training Centre, Dublin 12

Contact: National Irish Safety Organisation
Tel: 01 465 9760
Email: info@niso.ie

Midland Region – TUS Athlone

Contact: Dr Sean Reidy, Technological University of the Shannon – Athlone
Tel: 090 6424431; Mobile: 087 2974505
Dept. of Lifelong Learning, Technological University of the Shannon – Athlone, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

West Region – Castlebar ATU

Contact: National Irish Safety Organisation
Tel: 01 465 9760
Email: info@niso.ie

Midwest Region – TUS Limerick [not currently operating]

Contact: LIT Flexible Learning Office, Technological University of the Shannon – Limerick
Tel: 061 293 802
Email: fllimerick@lit.ie
http://www.lit.ie/FlexibleLearning

South – CSN College of Further Education Cork [not currently operating]

Contact: National Irish Safety Organisation
Tel: 01 465 9760
Email: info@niso.ie

South East – Waterford IT [not currently operating]

Contact: National Irish Safety Organisation
Tel: 01 465 9760
Email: info@niso.ie

Course details 

This course comprises of a series of thirteen, two hour modules, illustrated with examples and case studies.
The presentations are based on the core theme of hazard identification, risk assessment and identification and evaluation of control measures.

This programme uses innovative teaching methods.

Course / Certificate Validation
Students who successfully complete the requirements of all modules and assessments will be awarded the NISO Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health Certificate.

Course Duration
13 modules of two hours duration plus a 2 hour examination

Requirements
This course is taught in English.
NISO needs to be informed at the time of booking when a learner needs special requirements.

Course Materials
NISO provides a training pack of slide notes; a comprehensive set of text notes covering all modules and a web resource of additional material and publications.

Evaluation Methods
The course assessment includes an assignment based on carrying out a small Risk Assessment in the workplace.
It is to be submitted during the course.
At the end of the course, there is a 2 hour written final examination with multiple choice questions and essay questions. Members of NISO avail of discounts on courses

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Book Online
Download the Course Brochure