RLS Training Course (Workers’ Safety Representative)

The RLS training course for Workers’ Safety Representatives (RLS) represents a fundamental pillar of occupational health and safety management. This training programme is not merely a bureaucratic requirement, but rather a tangible investment in the safety and health protection of all workers.

RLS Training Course: What It Is and Who It Is For

The RLS training course is intended for individuals elected or appointed as Workers’ Safety Representatives, a key role that is mandatory for many companies. The RLS is responsible for promoting compliance with safety regulations and contributing to the assessment and prevention of risks, workplace accidents and occupational diseases. Their dialogue with the employer and other stakeholders involved in safeguarding workplace health and safety is essential.

For an RLS, the course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to perform this role effectively and competently. It requires an understanding of legislation, the ability to identify risks and the capacity to propose preventive measures. This is a key role in promoting a safety culture among workers and cooperating with company management in occupational health and safety management.

Why Is RLS Training Essential?

For an RLS, attending the training course means acquiring practical and effective skills. These are useful not only for fulfilling legal obligations, but also for protecting colleagues’ health and safety with responsibility and awareness. Having a properly trained RLS means ensuring a higher level of safety within the company.

The RLS promotes an active safety culture. Through monitoring, prevention, information and cooperation, the RLS contributes to reducing workplace accidents, incidents and occupational diseases.

Furthermore, compliance with training requirements helps prevent administrative and criminal penalties for the company.

RLS Training Course: Applicable Legislation

RLS training is based on Legislative Decree No. 81/2008, which establishes the general and specific legal framework for occupational health and safety. In particular, Article 37, paragraph 11, establishes the obligation for companies to provide training and refresher training for Workers’ Safety Representatives.

The State-Regions Agreement defines the minimum training content and duration.

As required by law, both initial and refresher training must be provided by the employer at no cost to the worker, in terms of both financial expenses and working time.

What Training Course Must an RLS Attend? What Are the Course Contents?

The RLS training programme has a duration of 32 hours and includes both theoretical and practical training.

The course also provides participants with the tools needed to actively and effectively take part in periodic occupational health and safety meetings, contribute to the preparation and updating of the Risk Assessment Document (DVR), and participate in defining safety procedures, preventive measures and instructions for workers.

Theoretical Aspects: Specific Training Content

• The role of the RLS within the company’s occupational health and safety system;

• European and national legal principles;

• Current legislation on occupational health and safety;

• Key stakeholders involved and their respective obligations;

• Definition and identification of specific risk factors present within the company;

• Risk assessment;

• Identification of the main organisational and procedural control and prevention techniques in the workplace;

• Fundamentals of communication techniques.

RLS Training Course and Final Assessment

A final learning assessment is conducted at the end of the course. It evaluates the knowledge acquired regarding risks, legislation, risk assessment and preventive measures.

The training certificate is issued only upon successful completion of the final assessment. This certificate serves as evidence that the representative has received adequate training in compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.

The certificate is recognised throughout Italy. The course is considered legally valid only if the RLS subsequently completes the mandatory refresher training.

RLS Training Certificate Validity: Refresher Training and Expiry

The initial training course remains valid provided that periodic refresher training is completed.

How often must RLS training be renewed? The mandatory RLS refresher training must be completed annually. Therefore, RLS training is subject to yearly renewal requirements. The minimum duration of refresher courses varies according to the number of employees in the company: 4 hours for companies with up to 50 employees and 8 hours for companies with more than 50 employees.

Failure to complete the annual refresher training results in the loss of training validity, meaning that the RLS will no longer be compliant with the applicable legal training requirements.