Training Certificate on Health and Safety: How to Assess Its Validity

What Information and Personal Data Must Appear on a Certificate?

A certificate of training on workplace health and safety is issued by the entity providing the training to an employee upon successful completion of a course and passing the final assessment (at least 70% of total points). To ensure the validity of such certificates, certain mandatory elements must be included:

• The name of the entity providing the course;
• The applicable regulatory reference;
• The participant’s personal details (name, surname, tax code);
• Type of course, sector, and hours attended;
• Course duration and completion period;
• Name of the instructor;
• Signature of the training program coordinator;
• A progressive number for courses covered under the State-Regions Agreement of 2011.

How to Identify Invalid Certificates

Counterfeit certificates or those issued by unauthorized entities are unfortunately common. To identify invalid certificates, ensure the following:

1. Verify the issuing entity: Check that the provider is accredited by the relevant regional or national authority.
2. Cross-check details: Confirm all mandatory details (as listed above) are present and accurate.
3. Examine transparency: The provider should demonstrate clear documentation of the course’s content, duration, and assessment process.

Certificates issued without actual training attendance or from unauthorized providers are invalid and can lead to serious legal consequences.

Purpose and Validity of Workplace Safety Certificates

The purpose of a workplace safety certificate is to confirm, under the issuing entity’s responsibility, that the participant has completed training in compliance with current legal requirements.

Certificates have limited validity and must be renewed periodically based on the type of course. Failure to renew by the expiration date renders the certificate invalid, and the worker cannot perform their assigned role until retraining is completed.

Course Duration and Renewal Requirements

Here are some key training programs and their validity periods:

• Fire Emergency Team Training:
  • Renewal every 3-5 years, depending on risk level:
    • Low risk: 2-hour refresher course.
    • Medium risk: 5-hour refresher course.
    • High risk: 8-hour refresher course.
• First Aid Team Training:
  • Renewal every 3 years:
    • Group B & C: 4-hour refresher course.
    • Group A: 6-hour refresher course.
• Worker Safety Training:
  • Includes general and specific training tailored to the worker’s role.
  • Renewal every 5 years with a 6-hour refresher course.
• Safety Representatives Training (RLS):
  • 32-hour initial course.
  • Annual updates:
    • Companies with fewer than 50 employees: 4-hour refresher course.
    • Companies with more than 50 employees: 8-hour refresher course.
• Employer Training as RSPP (Head of Safety Services):
  • Course duration varies by the company’s risk level (based on Ateco codes):
    • Low risk: 6-hour refresher course every 5 years.
    • Medium risk: 10-hour refresher course every 5 years.
    • High risk: 14-hour refresher course every 5 years.

Failure to complete refresher training on time renders the certificate invalid, preventing the employee from performing their duties.

Consequences of Invalid or Falsified Certificates

Falsification of training certificates is a criminal offense under Italian law. According to Legislative Decree 81/2008, non-compliance with mandatory training requirements can result in:

• Fines: From €2,740 to €7,014;
• Imprisonment: From 3 to 6 months.

An example is the Italian Supreme Court’s ruling (Case No. 16715, April 17, 2019), where an employer was found guilty of multiple violations, including falsifying certificates under Article 37 of Legislative Decree 81/08.

Additionally, entities that sell certificates without proper training expose workers to risks due to inadequate preparation, placing both workers and employers at significant legal and safety risks.

Ensuring Certificate Validity

To avoid penalties and ensure compliance:

1. Verify the provider’s credentials: Check for accreditation and adherence to regional or national standards.
2. Validate the training process: Ensure the course is conducted in accordance with legal requirements, including assessment procedures.
3. Maintain proper documentation: Keep copies of all certificates for monitoring and regulatory inspections.

Employers must understand that training conducted without meeting legal standards equates to no training and can result in severe penalties. Regular consultation with your RSPP (Safety Services Manager) is essential for proper management of workplace safety documentation.