Workplace Environmental Hazard Control Training Course

Duration 10 days 20 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends HSE Managers, Environmental Officers and others
Fee from USD 2,200 KSh 190,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 16 Nov 2026 Course code SD-HM-140

Before you join: Participants should have basic workplace safety knowledge and some familiarity with their site's operations, equipment, substances or environmental procedures.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Workplace environmental hazards can injure people, contaminate land or water, interrupt operations, trigger regulator action and damage community trust. Many incidents arise from familiar conditions that were not systematically identified: poor ventilation, uncontrolled chemical storage, excessive noise, waste incompatibility, leaks, biological exposure or inadequate contractor controls. HSE personnel need to distinguish environmental aspects from occupational hazards, assess credible exposure pathways and select controls that work under normal, abnormal and emergency conditions.

This course develops the practical skills required to identify, assess and control workplace environmental hazards. Participants use hazard registers, task-based inspections, risk matrices, exposure assessment methods, the hierarchy of controls, Bow-Tie analysis and environmental monitoring plans. The syllabus addresses chemical, airborne, noise, vibration, thermal, biological, radiation, waste, spill, emission and contaminated-land hazards. It also covers legal registers, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements, contractor management, incident investigation and assurance activities.

Teaching combines short technical briefings with case analysis, inspection planning, group risk-assessment work, control-selection discussions and incident-response simulations. Participants progressively build a workplace environmental hazard control pack using a realistic site or their own operating context. The final capstone requires them to present a complete hazard register, risk assessment, control plan, monitoring schedule, emergency arrangements and implementation priorities.

The course suits HSE professionals, operational managers, facilities teams, engineers, environmental officers and supervisors who have responsibilities for workplace conditions, pollution prevention or statutory compliance. It is especially relevant to industrial sites, construction projects, laboratories, utilities, logistics operations, healthcare facilities, food processing plants and public-sector estates.

What you will be able to do

  • Identify workplace environmental hazards using inspections, process mapping and exposure-pathway analysis
  • Construct an environmental aspect and hazard register with credible causes and consequences
  • Assess environmental and worker-exposure risks using likelihood-consequence matrices and Bow-Tie analysis
  • Select controls using the hierarchy of controls and verify their effectiveness
  • Develop monitoring plans for air, noise, vibration, emissions, waste and water hazards
  • Prepare spill prevention and emergency response arrangements for credible release scenarios
  • Apply ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements to operational environmental hazard controls
  • Produce and present a workplace environmental hazard control plan with implementation priorities

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Produce defensible environmental hazard assessments for workplace activities and facilities
  • Recognise exposure pathways before they develop into incidents or complaints
  • Specify practical controls for chemicals, emissions, waste, noise and spills
  • Contribute confidently to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management system activities
  • Build evidence for greater responsibility in HSE, environmental or operational roles

For your organisation

  • Improves identification of environmental hazards before releases, exposures or regulator findings
  • Creates more consistent risk registers, control plans and inspection records
  • Reduces losses from spills, waste errors, uncontrolled emissions and operational disruption
  • Strengthens contractor, maintenance and change-management controls affecting environmental performance
  • Provides documented evidence for internal assurance, client reviews and regulatory inspections

Course modules

20 modules over 10 days

Participants can define workplace environmental hazards, exposure pathways and control responsibilities.

  • Environmental hazards, occupational exposures and pollution pathways distinguished clearly
  • Sources, receptors and transport pathways mapped using source-pathway-receptor models
  • Direct, indirect, normal and abnormal environmental aspects classified
  • Worker health, community and ecological consequences compared systematically
  • Duty holders and control accountabilities assigned through responsibility matrices
  • Site boundaries, sensitive receptors and operational interfaces identified early

Participants can build a practical legal and permit compliance register for environmental hazards.

  • Legal registers structured around applicable acts, regulations, permits and conditions
  • Permit limits translated into operating controls and monitoring requirements
  • Environmental duty-of-care obligations applied to waste storage and transfer
  • Regulator inspection powers, notices and evidence requirements examined
  • Compliance obligations linked to processes, locations and responsible roles
  • Retention periods established for monitoring records, manifests and incident evidence

Participants can identify environmental hazards using structured workplace review methods.

  • Process mapping traces inputs, activities, outputs, wastes and emissions
  • Task observations identify release points during routine and non-routine work
  • Workplace inspections use area-based environmental hazard checklists systematically
  • Job hazard analysis captures worker exposure and environmental release scenarios
  • Safety data sheets reveal chemical hazards, incompatibilities and disposal constraints
  • Previous incidents, complaints and near misses inform hazard identification

Participants can create a usable register connecting activities, hazards, receptors and controls.

  • Register fields capture activity, aspect, hazard, receptor and consequence
  • Significant aspects ranked using defined significance screening criteria
  • Existing controls recorded with ownership, status and verification evidence
  • Abnormal operations included: start-up, shutdown, maintenance and emergencies
  • Contractor activities entered where site environmental controls may be affected
  • Register reviews triggered by changes, incidents and monitoring results

Participants can assess environmental hazard risks and prioritise corrective actions.

  • Likelihood-consequence matrices calibrated for people, environment, assets and reputation
  • Inherent and residual risk scores distinguished before and after controls
  • Exposure frequency, duration and concentration considered within risk estimates
  • Risk tolerability criteria set escalation thresholds for management decisions
  • Bow-Tie analysis identifies threats, barriers, consequences and recovery controls
  • Action priorities assigned using risk ratings, legal duties and feasibility

Participants can select proportionate environmental hazard controls and verify their performance.

  • Hierarchy of controls applied before reliance on procedures or PPE
  • Elimination and substitution assessed during process and product selection
  • Engineering controls specified through containment, extraction, isolation and automation
  • Administrative controls define operating limits, inspections and permit requirements
  • Control criticality identified for barriers preventing major releases
  • Verification methods confirm controls remain available, suitable and effective

Participants can control chemical hazards from receipt through storage, use and disposal.

  • Chemical inventories reconcile containers, quantities, locations and hazard classifications
  • Globally Harmonized System labels and pictograms interpreted for control decisions
  • Compatibility matrices separate acids, bases, oxidisers, fuels and reactives
  • Secondary containment sized for credible leaks and storage arrangements
  • Chemical transfer procedures control spills, vapours, static and overfilling
  • Waste characterisation determines segregation, labelling, storage and disposal routes

Participants can identify airborne hazards and specify basic ventilation control measures.

  • Airborne dust, vapour, mist, fume and gas hazards distinguished
  • Exposure routes assessed through inhalation, skin contact and ingestion
  • Local exhaust ventilation components examined from hood to discharge point
  • Capture velocity, enclosure and make-up air affect control performance
  • General ventilation limitations recognised for high-toxicity airborne contaminants
  • Air monitoring strategies define personal, area and source sampling

Participants can assess physical environmental agents and propose exposure controls.

  • Noise sources characterised by sound level, frequency and exposure duration
  • Dosimetry and area surveys support noise exposure assessment decisions
  • Hand-arm and whole-body vibration hazards linked to equipment use
  • Thermal stress evaluated using workload, humidity, radiant heat and clothing
  • Ionising and non-ionising radiation sources controlled through time-distance-shielding
  • Physical-agent controls prioritise equipment design, isolation and maintenance

Participants can identify biological and indoor environmental hazards requiring control.

  • Biological agents classified by source, transmission route and health effect
  • Legionella control plans address water systems, temperatures and sampling
  • Mould growth investigations consider moisture sources, materials and occupant exposure
  • Indoor air quality indicators include carbon dioxide, particulates and volatile compounds
  • Cleaning, waste handling and laundry activities assessed for biological exposure
  • Immunisation, hygiene and containment controls matched to exposure risks

Participants can design controls for waste generation, segregation, storage and transfer.

  • Waste streams mapped from generation point to final treatment route
  • Waste hierarchy applied through prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal
  • Segregation systems prevent incompatible mixing and contaminated recycling streams
  • Container labelling identifies contents, hazards, dates and responsible owners
  • Storage inspections check containment, access, weather protection and housekeeping
  • Transfer documentation maintains traceability from site collection to disposal

Participants can control hazards affecting drains, watercourses, soil and air emissions.

  • Drainage plans distinguish foul, surface-water, process and intercepting systems
  • Potential pollutants traced from operational areas to receiving environments
  • Oil-water separators inspected for capacity, maintenance and bypass risks
  • Stack emissions controlled through process parameters, filtration and maintenance
  • Soil contamination risks assessed around storage, loading and waste areas
  • Discharge monitoring plans define parameters, locations, frequency and action limits

Participants can manage environmental hazards associated with hazardous materials and legacy conditions.

  • Asbestos-containing materials identified through surveys, registers and condition assessments
  • Lead, silica and mercury hazards assessed during disturbance activities
  • Contaminated land indicators include staining, odours, fill and historical uses
  • Suspect materials managed through exclusion, sampling and specialist advice
  • Demolition and refurbishment controls prevent uncontrolled hazardous material releases
  • Chain-of-custody procedures protect integrity of environmental samples and records

Participants can prepare a monitoring programme that produces actionable control evidence.

  • Monitoring objectives distinguish compliance, exposure assessment and control verification
  • Sampling plans define parameters, locations, timing, methods and responsibilities
  • Direct-reading instruments compared with laboratory analysis and passive sampling
  • Calibration, zero checks and maintenance support reliable field measurements
  • Detection limits and uncertainty considered when interpreting monitoring results
  • Trend charts identify deterioration, recurring excursions and emerging priorities

Participants can prepare response arrangements for credible environmental release events.

  • Spill scenarios developed from chemicals, quantities, drains and receptors
  • Spill prevention controls include bunds, shut-off valves and transfer checks
  • Emergency response plans assign notification, containment and recovery responsibilities
  • Drain covers, absorbents and overpacks selected for likely release materials
  • Escalation criteria define regulator notification and community communication requirements
  • Post-incident sampling confirms cleanup effectiveness and residual contamination status

Participants can investigate environmental incidents and establish effective corrective actions.

  • Initial incident evidence preserved through photographs, samples and witness accounts
  • Timeline analysis reconstructs conditions, decisions, barriers and release progression
  • Five Whys and causal factor analysis distinguish symptoms from causes
  • Barrier failures examined using Bow-Tie preventive and recovery controls
  • Corrective actions specify owners, deadlines, verification and effectiveness criteria
  • Lessons learned communicated through targeted briefings, procedures and inspections

Participants can connect hazard controls to ISO management system requirements.

  • ISO 14001 clauses linked to aspects, compliance obligations and operational control
  • ISO 45001 interfaces address worker exposure and environmental hazard management
  • Documented information controlled through approval, revision and point-of-use access
  • Objectives and targets derived from significant aspects and risk priorities
  • Management of change reviews new materials, equipment and process conditions
  • Operational controls translated into procedures, permits and inspection standards

Participants can manage environmental hazards introduced by contractors, suppliers and changes.

  • Prequalification reviews contractor competence, environmental records and control arrangements
  • Scope-of-work documents define waste, emissions and spill prevention requirements
  • Permit-to-work interfaces address hazardous substances, drains and containment controls
  • Procurement specifications consider safer substitutes, packaging and end-of-life disposal
  • Change reviews assess new hazards, receptors, controls and monitoring needs
  • Contractor inspections verify housekeeping, storage and emergency preparedness requirements

Participants can assure environmental hazard controls through inspection, audit and review.

  • Inspection schedules prioritise significant hazards, critical controls and legal conditions
  • Audit criteria compare documented arrangements with observed operating conditions
  • Sampling records tested for completeness, traceability and action-limit compliance
  • Nonconformities graded by risk, legal exposure and control failure
  • Key performance indicators track releases, waste, inspections and corrective actions
  • Management reviews evaluate trends, resources, risks and improvement priorities

Participants can build, review and present a complete workplace environmental hazard control pack for a defined site or activity.

  • Site profile defines activities, boundaries, receptors and regulatory obligations
  • Hazard register documents significant aspects, exposure pathways and existing controls
  • Risk assessments prioritise credible scenarios using agreed rating criteria
  • Control plan specifies hierarchy-based actions, owners, resources and deadlines
  • Monitoring schedule sets parameters, methods, frequencies, limits and escalation
  • Emergency arrangements address spill scenarios, notifications and recovery actions

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. Workplace environmental hazard register template
  2. Environmental risk assessment and Bow-Tie model
  3. Hierarchy-of-controls selection checklist
  4. Environmental monitoring programme template
  5. Spill prevention and emergency response plan
  6. Workplace environmental hazard control pack

Who should attend

  • HSE Managers — responsible for environmental hazard controls, compliance and assurance programmes
  • Environmental Officers — required to identify aspects, assess risks and manage monitoring
  • Operations Managers — accountable for safe, controlled production and site conditions
  • Facilities Managers — responsible for building systems, waste, contractors and emergency arrangements
  • Engineers and Maintenance Supervisors — involved in equipment controls, ventilation and modification management
  • Project and Construction Managers — responsible for controlling site hazards and contractor activities

Skills and tools covered

Hazard identificationEnvironmental risk assessmentExposure control selectionMonitoring programme designSpill response planningHSE assurance

Tools and standards

ISO 14001, ISO 45001, Hierarchy of Controls, Bow-Tie Analysis

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short instructor briefings followed by applied case work drawn from industrial, construction, facilities and laboratory settings. Participants interpret site information, inspect sample conditions, build risk assessments, compare control options and respond to release scenarios. Group exercises use hazard registers, monitoring data, safety data sheets, process sketches and incident evidence. Facilitated discussions test assumptions about legal duties and control effectiveness. Individual application planning helps participants adapt the methods to their own workplace and prepare a usable environmental hazard control pack.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have basic workplace safety knowledge and some familiarity with their site's operations, equipment, substances or environmental procedures. Experience completing simple inspections, incident reports or risk assessments is useful. The course assumes that participants can read technical documents and contribute operational examples from their workplace. Prior study of environmental science, industrial hygiene, chemistry or ISO management systems is not required. Participants do not need to be environmental specialists, auditors or laboratory technicians. The course explains the methods needed to identify hazards, assess exposure pathways and specify proportionate controls.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

Participants need basic workplace safety knowledge and familiarity with operational activities, facilities or work processes. Environmental specialist qualifications, laboratory experience and prior ISO auditor training are not required.

Participants should bring examples of their site's activities, substances, waste streams, inspection forms or environmental procedures where permitted. These materials help them build a relevant hazard control pack without disclosing confidential information.

The course is designed for HSE managers, environmental officers, operations leaders, facilities managers, engineers, supervisors and project managers. It suits personnel who must identify or control environmental hazards rather than conduct specialist laboratory analysis.

General awareness courses explain environmental responsibilities and common issues. This course focuses on structured hazard identification, risk assessment, control selection, monitoring, emergency response and documented operational controls.

Participants leave with templates and a completed control pack that can be adapted for a site, process, project or facility. The methods support inspections, risk-register reviews, contractor controls, incident investigations and management system actions.

Each training day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. The first week develops hazard identification and control tools, while the second week covers monitoring, emergencies, management systems, assurance and the capstone presentation.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.

Ask on WhatsApp info@skillsetdevelopment.com

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