Introduction The National Health and Safety Function have developed an online training programme entitled ‘Managing Health and Safety in the Healthcare Setting’. The programme provides managers with the appropriate information and guidance on the core responsibilities and actions required to implement a safety management programme within their area of remit.

This programme is mandatory for HSE managers, department heads and all those with responsibility for safety health and wellbeing (30 000 staff approx).

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 it is the responsibility of a manager to manage safety, health and welfare in the workplace and ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of employees and others in the workplace.

Methods The aim of the programme is to provide managers with the information and support to enable them to manage safety, health and welfare and implement a safety management programme within their area of responsibility as far as is reasonably practicable.

Result We developed an innovative E-Learning training programme available to all levels of HSE Management on ‘Managing Health and Safety in the Healthcare Setting’ (available on HSELaND).

On completion of this programme staff will be deemed competent in:

• Describing their role within the legal and policy context with regard to health and safety in the healthcare

• Identifying best practice with regard to the implementation of a Safety Management Programme

• Understanding the purpose and importance of Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS)

• Implementing a structured approach to Risk Assessment.

Discussion Managers have significant legal duties with regard to management of Occupational Safety and Health. This programme provides a key component in our blended learning strategy.