The local authority HELA training strategy was launched in 1997 in recognition of the need for action by LAs to enable them to identify and meet the training needs of their health and safety enforcement officers in a cost effective manner. It was suggested that some problems might be resolved by LAs considering their training needs collectively rather than on ‘an authority by authority’ basis.

HELA’s training strategy has two principle objectives:

• To help local authorities (LAs) to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and other relevant stautory provisions in accordance with the Health and Safety Commission’s guidance;
  
• To establish a framework in which LAs, the Local Authority Associations, relevant professional bodies and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can liaise and co-ordinate to ensure that enforcement officers are properly trained and competent.
  The HELA training strategy also highlighted the need for national co-ordination of training and development activities by LAs to ensure a consistent and cost effective approach to training.

HELA therefore commissioned a Training Co-ordination project in 1999, the aim of which was to explore how the training needs of health and safety enforcement officers can be met in such a consistent and cost-effective manner and to produce a model for the national coordination of health and safety enforcement officer training needs.

As a result of this consultation exercise, the HELA Training Co-Ordination website was constructed. This is a joint project run in conjunction with the University of Salford.

• HELA Training Co-ordination website
• Topic Inspections