Guide to Choosing and Completing Occupational Safety Card Training

Guide to Choosing Occupational Safety Card Training

Occupational Safety Card training is now available in many different formats. Among them, there is a suitable option for every participant. All options result in the same official Occupational Safety Card.

Occupational Safety Card training is a central part of workplace safety culture in Finland. The training provides workers with basic knowledge about workplace hazards and occupational safety at shared workplaces. The Occupational Safety Card is a national certificate valid for five years. Obtaining the card requires successfully completing the training and passing the exam.

The training content is extensive and comprehensive. The training covers workplace hazards, principles of safe working, and occupational safety principles at shared workplaces. The training also includes practical exercises and tasks that help internalize what has been learned. This hands-on approach ensures that participants understand and can apply what they have learned in the workplace. The training day may also include exercises and tasks as well as various learning environments such as safety parks, which enrich the learning experience.

At the end of the training, an exam is taken, which can be either electronic or paper-based. The exam can also be taken orally if the participant has reading or learning difficulties. The exam can be retaken twice if it is not passed on the first attempt. After successfully completing the training, the participant receives an Occupational Safety Card, which serves as proof of completing the training. The card can be either a traditional plastic card or a mobile card.

Key Considerations for Choosing Training

Basic training or refresher training

The duration of the training varies depending on whether it is basic training or refresher training. Basic training lasts seven hours, while refresher training lasts four hours. At the end of both courses, an exam is taken, for which half an hour is allocated. The total duration for the different training options is therefore 4.5 hours and 7.5 hours. The training can be completed in one session or divided into several sessions as needed.

Choosing the Training Method

Following the reform of Occupational Safety Card training, the training can now be completed in three different ways: traditional classroom training, remote training delivered online (webinars), or blended learning, which combines self-study online modules with instructor-led training. Remote training is a flexible option that allows participation from anywhere, even from home. This can be particularly useful if your schedule is tight or if you cannot easily reach the training venue. Choose the training method that best suits your schedule and learning style.

Choosing the Training Provider

The training provider, or course instructor, matters. If you want to get the most out of your training day, choose training delivered by a reliable and high-quality provider. Occupational Safety Card instructors have completed course instructor training and therefore meet certain criteria. However, an experienced and qualified course instructor can teach the principles of occupational safety clearly and practically, and bring clarifying examples and real-life situations into the training. A good course instructor can make the training a meaningful and effective learning experience.

Preparing for the Training Day

Schedule

Occupational Safety Card training is generally conducted from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. It is important to arrive well in advance. The course instructor cannot grant Occupational Safety Card qualification if the participant has not completed the training in its entirety. Please note this also applies to remote training (webinars): open the connection early and test that your connection works in advance.

Ensuring Sufficient Language Proficiency

The Occupational Safety Card course is conducted in the stated language, usually Finnish. The participant must have sufficiently good Finnish language skills to understand the training content and be able to complete the exam. The use of an interpreter is not possible in remote training. The use of a sign language interpreter is possible by prior arrangement. Please contact our customer service well in advance to arrange sign language interpretation.

Customized or group-specific training can be arranged in any language mastered by the course instructor or with interpretation. Ask our customer service for more information about language options.

Technical Arrangements for Remote Training

Participating in remote training requires a few arrangements. You can participate in remote training using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, but make sure you have a working camera and microphone. These are prerequisites for participating in the training. Each participant must join the training on their own device and register separately; multiple participants cannot share the same connection. Remote training is conducted on the Microsoft Teams platform. You do not need a paid license, as Teams also works directly through a browser or mobile device without logging in.

Participants are sent the course workbook electronically before the training. The exam included in the training is conducted using an electronic exam system at the end of the training day. After passing the exam, the participant is mailed an Occupational Safety Card, and the mobile card can be obtained from the Finnish Occupational Safety Centre’s mobile card service.

Summary: Remember These Important Points

• Choose a suitable training method (classroom training, remote training, or blended learning).
• Ensure that the course instructor is experienced and qualified.
• Make sure you have the necessary equipment and connections for remote training.
• Arrive on time and ensure that you understand the training content.
• Ensure that the training and exam are available in a language you understand.

Occupational Safety Card training is an essential part of workplace safety culture. By choosing the right training method and a qualified course instructor, and by preparing carefully for the training and exam, you can ensure that you get the best possible benefit from the training and promote safety at your workplace.