Short, practical health and safety courses from Alliance Learning, most of them half a day or a day, taught at our training centre in Horwich, Bolton. They cover confined spaces, working at height, workshop equipment, fire, hazardous substances and everyday workplace safety.
Pick a course below to see what it covers and the next dates.
confined spaces
practical observation
About the course
Our confined space courses train you to recognise confined spaces, understand the dangers and work safely in them under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.
There are three courses. Low Risk is a one-day course, mainly theory, for people who enter low risk confined spaces. Medium Risk is a two-day course for people who have never had formal confined space training, covering chambers, manholes, wet wells, multi-landing and other vertical confined spaces, with escape breathing apparatus. The one-day Medium Risk Requalification is for people who have done a medium risk course before and need to re-certify.
What's covered
Each date on the right shows which course it is.
Confined Space Low Risk
- Confined space law and recognising confined spaces
- Hazardous atmospheres and using multi-gas monitors
- PPE, risk assessments and permits to work
- Safe systems of work and methods of communication
- Testing equipment under LOLER, and emergency procedures
Confined Space Medium Risk (novice)
- Equipment needed to enter a confined space
- Gas detection and escape breathing apparatus
- Safety harnesses, tripods and man-riding winches
- Ventilation and avoiding unsafe atmospheres
- Communication, entry procedures and practical exercises
Confined Space Medium Risk Requalification
- Confined space hazards and legal requirements
- Risk assessments and safe systems of work
- Gas detection and escape breathing apparatus
- Harnesses, tripods and man-riding winches
- Communication, entry procedures and practical exercises
How it works
- TrainingA mix of classroom and practical work. Low Risk is one day, Medium Risk two days and the Requalification one day.
- AssessmentA written or multiple-choice question paper, and a practical observation.
- CertificatePass and you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate, currently valid for 3 years.
Who it's for
Workers who need to enter, work in or exit confined spaces. Choose Medium Risk if you've never had formal confined space training, or the Requalification if you've done a medium risk course before and need to re-certify.
What you'll need
Your own PPE, including a harness. For the medium risk courses you need to be clean shaven if you're using escape breathing apparatus with a close-fitting mask.
About the course
A half-day course that helps you comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and reduce the risk of accidents and incidents.
It gives employers, supervisors and managers a thorough understanding of the regulations and the dangers of working at height.
What's covered
- The Work at Height Regulations and HASAWA 1974
- Accident statistics
- Planning and organising, and competency
- Risk assessments
- Types of work equipment and personal fall protection
- Theory paper
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Employers whose staff supervise and manage people who work at height.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
About the course
A half-day course for anyone who uses steps and ladders at work.
It shows you how to use, maintain, store and check steps and ladders safely, in line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
What's covered
- Health and safety
- Maintenance
- Storage dos and don'ts
- Practical work and fault finding
- Test paper
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Anyone who uses steps and ladders.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
abrasive wheels
About the course
A half-day classroom course on maintaining and using abrasive wheels safely, in line with Health and Safety Executive requirements.
It's for anyone appointed to mount or use abrasive wheels, and this training is needed to comply with PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998).
What's covered
- Storing, handling and transporting abrasive wheels
- Mounting abrasive wheels
- Selection and inspection
- Mounting, dressing, truing and rest adjustment
- Recognising hazards and the precautions that reduce accidents
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Anyone appointed to mount or use abrasive wheels.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
About the course
A one-day classroom and practical course that gives you a working knowledge of pendant crane operations and safe methods with cranes and hoists.
It's for people involved in moving heavy goods, and follows Health and Safety Executive requirements.
What's covered
- Pre-shift and daily safety checks
- Stopping, starting, traversing and pathways
- Lifting, lowering and off-centre loads
- Weight estimation, breaking strain and safe working loads
- Examination of lifting gear and the effect of angles when slinging
- Responsibilities and legal requirements
How it works
- A day of trainingClassroom and practical work.
- CertificateWhen you complete the course, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
People involved in moving heavy goods.
What you'll need
You must bring PPE such as a hard hat, gloves and safety footwear.
About the course
Fire Marshal/Warden is a half-day course for the "competent persons" in your workforce. It raises awareness of company fire procedures and teaches the correct use and limitations of fire extinguishers.
It helps you meet the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and recognise and reduce the risk of fire causing death or harm to employees, or damage to property. You'll practise with fire extinguishers on a fully controllable gas rig.
What's covered
- Action on discovering a fire
- Common causes of fire
- Fire drills and evacuation
- Fire safety legislation and precautions
- The chemistry of fire
- The role of the fire marshal
- Practical use of fire extinguishers on a fully controllable gas rig
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom and practical, including extinguisher practice outdoors.
- AssessmentA practical observation.
- CertificatePass and you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate. We advise renewing it every 12 months.
Who it's for
Competent persons in the workplace who support fire safety procedures.
What you'll need
Suitable outdoor clothing for the practical part of the course.
About the course
A half-day awareness course on the dangers of asbestos, where it might be found and what to do if it's identified.
What's covered
- What asbestos is, and its effects on health
- Types and likely locations of asbestos and ACMs
- Asbestos registers and types of survey report
- How to avoid the risks
- What to do if asbestos is released, and emergency procedures
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Anyone who needs to know about asbestos.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
About the course
A half-day awareness course on the legal requirements of COSHH and the PPE regulations.
It covers the responsibilities of employers and employees to control the risks from substances hazardous to health.
What's covered
- Legal duties under the COSHH regulations
- Health effects and routes of entry
- COSHH assessments, safety data sheets and exposure limits
- Control measures, health surveillance and the hierarchy of controls
- PPE law, and selecting, using and maintaining PPE
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Anyone who uses chemicals and other substances.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
About the course
Face Fit Testing checks that a tight-fitting mask actually fits you.
It's a legal requirement for anyone who wears tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for work, and it must be done by a competent person.
What's covered
- A qualitative test, for half masks only
- You wear a hood while the tester sprays a bitter or sweet solution into it
- You carry out a series of exercises, such as turning your head
- If you can taste the solution, the mask doesn't fit
How it works
- The testAround 20 to 30 minutes with a competent tester.
- CertificateYou get an Alliance Learning certificate when you pass the test.
Who it's for
Anyone who wears a tight-fitting mask for work.
What you'll need
Your own mask and any other PPE you wear with it. Be clean shaven.
About the course
A half-day classroom and practical course on lifting and handling loads safely and efficiently.
It reduces the risk of injury and helps you meet the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
What's covered
- Keeping body stress to a minimum when handling
- The immediate and long-term effects of strains and sprains
- Practical lifting, pushing, pulling and twisting
- Repetitive strain injuries and group lifting
- Spotting and controlling handling hazards in your area
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom and practical work.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Anyone who lifts and handles loads.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
About the course
A one-day course that gives you the knowledge to identify hazards and carry out risk assessments in your company.
What's covered
- Why we carry out risk assessments, and the main legislation
- Identifying hazards and who might be harmed
- Calculating and revising a risk rating
- Evaluating controls and applying the hierarchy of controls
- Recording findings, making recommendations and reviewing
How it works
- A day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Anyone responsible for leading or managing a team.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
About the course
A half-day course on why cutting carbon matters and how staff can work together, through simple changes, towards a greener workplace.
What's covered
- Climate change and the greenhouse effect
- What "Carbon Net Zero" means
- Reducing energy use, greener energy and ethical sourcing
- Reduce, reuse and recycle, and working leaner
- Corporate social responsibility
How it works
- Half a day of trainingClassroom-based. All course materials are provided.
- CertificateThis is an Alliance Learning awareness course. When you complete it, you're awarded an Alliance Learning certificate.
Who it's for
Staff who want to make positive, sustainable changes at work.
What you'll need
No special requirements. All course materials are provided.
Where you'll train
Alliance Learning
The Hurst Building, Horwich Loco Estate
Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 5UE
Frequently asked questions
Which course do I need?
Scroll through the courses above, pick one to read what it covers and check the next dates. Not sure which one fits your job? Ask us and we'll help you choose.
What certificate will I get?
All of these courses lead to an Alliance Learning certificate. Confined space certificates are currently valid for 3 years. For Fire Marshal, we advise renewing every 12 months. Face Fit Testing gives you a certificate when you pass the test.
Is there an assessment?
Most of these are awareness courses, so there's no formal assessment and you get your certificate when you complete the course. The confined space courses include a written or multiple-choice paper and a practical observation. Fire Marshal is assessed by practical observation.
Do I need to bring anything?
For the confined space courses you must bring your own PPE, including a harness. Without it you won't be able to take part, and the full fee still applies. Bring a hard hat, gloves and safety footwear for Pendant Crane & Hoist, outdoor clothing for the Fire Marshal practical, and your own mask for Face Fit Testing. Everything else is provided.
Do I need to be clean shaven?
Yes, if you're using escape breathing apparatus with a close-fitting face mask on a medium risk confined space course, and for Face Fit Testing. Beards, stubble, thick sideburns, long hair or a moustache where the mask seals will cause leakage. If you're not sure, please contact us before the course.
Do you run City & Guilds confined space courses?
Yes. The confined space courses on this page lead to an Alliance Learning certificate. For City & Guilds 6160 confined space courses, see our City & Guilds courses page.
Where are the courses held?
At our training centre: The Hurst Building, Horwich Loco Estate, Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 5UE.
Can you train a group from our company?
Yes. Get in touch about group bookings or running a course for your staff. Send us a group enquiry.
Questions about our health & safety courses?
Our commercial training team can help you choose a course, book a group or find the next date.
Send us an enquiry
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