Clear answers on workplace compliance.
Guidance from the learndirect compliance team on H&S law changes, HR rulings, fire safety, and food-hygiene regulation. Written for the people who own the audit.
Latest articles
What Is Hot Works Training and Do You Need It?
Hot works training covers how to stop welding, cutting, grinding, soldering and torch-on roofing from starting a fire. This guide explains what counts as hot work, what the law and HSE's HSG168 guidance require, how permits and fire watch work, and which training is recognised.
What Is a GDPR Course and Do You Need One?
A GDPR course teaches staff to handle personal data lawfully under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. This guide explains what a good course should cover in 2026, including the Data (Use and Access) Act changes, the new complaints duty and the Information Commission, and which learndirect course suits which role.
What Is Food Allergen Training and Why Is It Critical for Food Workers?
Food allergen training teaches food handlers and front-of-house staff the 14 regulated allergens, how cross-contamination happens, and how to give customers accurate allergen information. This guide covers the law, Natasha's Law, the FSA's 2025 best practice for loose food, and how to take an allergen order safely.
What Is Health and Safety Level 2 and Do You Need One?
Health and Safety Level 2 usually means a regulated Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace. No UK law requires it. This guide explains what the qualification is, when you genuinely need one, and when CPD-accredited training meets the legal duty.
What Is a COSHH Certificate and Do You Need One?
No UK law requires a COSHH certificate. Regulation 12 of the COSHH Regulations 2002 requires suitable and sufficient training, and the certificate is how you prove it. This guide explains what a COSHH certificate should show, whether it expires, what it does not cover, and how to get one online.
Is Safeguarding Adults Training Required in the UK?
Care Act 2014 sections 42 to 47 and Regulation 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 make adult safeguarding training a legal duty for every care and support worker in England. This guide covers the six principles of safeguarding, the ten categories of abuse in statutory guidance, how a section 42 enquiry works, the Care Act Safeguarding Adults Board and Safeguarding Adults Review framework, and how the learndirect Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Training Level 2 and 3 course satisfies the training duty.
Is Fire Safety Awareness Training Required for All UK Employees?
Article 21 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires every UK employer to give every employee adequate fire safety training at first employment, whenever risks change, and periodically thereafter, during working hours. Enforcement is by fire and rescue authorities and the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine and two years' imprisonment. This guide explains exactly what the law requires and how a 60-minute CPD and Fire Brigade accredited course from learndirect satisfies it.
Is Abrasive Wheels Training a Legal Requirement in the UK?
Every operator, mounter and supervisor of a grinding or cutting wheel needs Regulation 9 adequate training under PUWER 1998. This guide explains exactly what HSE HSG17 requires, when refresher training is needed, and how the learndirect CPD-accredited course covers it in around 45 minutes.
Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 UK: The Legal Standard for Food Handlers
Level 2 food hygiene is the working standard for anyone handling open food. What UK law actually requires, the 14 allergens, temperature rules, refresh cycle, and enforcement.
Is risk assessment training a legal requirement in the UK?
Risk assessment training is a legal requirement for anyone appointed to identify hazards and put controls in place at work. Here is what the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 actually require, what 'suitable and sufficient' means, and how the hierarchy of controls works in practice.
Is DSE training a legal requirement in the UK?
DSE training is a legal requirement in the UK for any employee who uses a display screen daily for continuous periods of an hour or more. Here is what the 1992 Regulations require, who counts as a user, and what a competent course covers.
Is legionella training a legal requirement in the UK?
Legionella training is a legal requirement for anyone managing hot and cold water systems in a non-domestic building. Here is what the law demands, who must be trained, and what a competent course covers.
Is infection control training a legal requirement in the UK?
Infection control training is a legal expectation across UK health and social care and a strong regulatory duty in food, cleaning and childcare. Here is what the law requires, who must be trained, and what a competent course covers.
COSHH training: what UK employers must actually train, refresh and record
COSHH remains one of the biggest causes of work-related ill health in Great Britain. Around 13,000 deaths a year are linked to past workplace exposure to chemicals and dust, on top of 22,000 new breathing or lung cases and 16,000 skin cases each year. Here is what the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 actually require, and where the learndirect online course fits.
Asbestos awareness: what UK employers must actually train, refresh and record
Asbestos is still the single largest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain, killing over 5,000 people every year from exposure decades ago. Around 300,000 non-domestic buildings still contain it. Here is what HSE and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 actually require, and where the learndirect online course fits.
Working at height: what UK employers must actually plan and provide
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any work where a fall could cause injury, not just above 2 metres. Falls from height remain the single largest cause of workplace fatalities in Great Britain. Here is what HSE actually requires, how the hierarchy of control works, and where the learndirect online course fits.
Care Certificate: what UK care workers and employers need to know
The Care Certificate is the induction standard for people new to health and adult social care in England. It sets out 16 standards that new care workers need to meet before working without direct supervision. Here is what it covers, who it applies to, and how CQC uses it during inspections.
Mental health awareness training: what UK employers and teams need to know
Mental health awareness training helps managers and teams recognise the signs, have supportive conversations and signpost to professional help. Here is how it differs from Mental Health First Aid, what UK law expects, and what the course covers.
Manual handling and moving and handling training: what UK employers must provide
Manual handling training - also called moving and handling training in care and healthcare - is a legal requirement under UK health and safety law. Here is what MHOR 1992 demands, the HSE guideline weights, patient handling essentials, and how to prove compliance.
What is GDPR training and why is it mandatory in the UK?
GDPR training is a legal requirement for every UK employer that handles personal data. Here is what the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR demand of your staff, and how to prove compliance to the ICO.
Do you legally need fire warden training? UK fire warden requirements explained
Fire warden training is legally required in UK workplaces of five or more staff. Here is what the Regulatory Reform Order 2005 demands, how many wardens you need, and what a competent course covers.
Welcome to the Briefing Room: your compliance training resource
The learndirect compliance team is opening up the Briefing Room: a practical, plain-English resource on the workplace rules that shape UK businesses. Here is what to expect.
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