What OSH training must employers provide to workers in Belgium?

Every Belgian employer must ensure that each worker receives sufficient and adequate training on well-being at work, specific to the job, at recruitment, on a transfer or change of function, and when new work equipment or new technology is introduced. The training is repeated when necessary, given during working time and never charged to the worker. The Code sets triggers and outcomes, not a fixed number of hours.

Short answer

• General duty: article I.2-21 of the Code of well-being at work; the training programme for line managers and workers follows the global prevention plan (article I.2-18).
• When: at hiring, transfer or change of job, new or changed equipment, new technology; repeated periodically if needed and adapted to new risks.
• Welcome of new workers: a line manager organises the welcome, an experienced worker accompanies the newcomer, and a document is signed confirming the information and instructions were given.
• Cost and time: free for workers and given in working time.
• Topic-specific training: first-aiders (approved course, annual refresher), drivers of self-propelled mobile equipment, workers who repair or maintain risky equipment, electrical work, explosive atmospheres, chemicals and others.
• No fixed hours: unlike Türkiye, Belgium sets no minimum number of hours for general OSH training.

The general training duty

The Well-being Act requires the employer to inform workers of the risks of their work and the preventive measures at the start of employment and whenever needed, and to give appropriate instructions with accompanying measures to make sure they are followed. The Code turns this into concrete duties:

1. Information on risks and measures at three levels (organisation, group of jobs, individual job), and on emergency procedures, first aid, firefighting and evacuation.
2. Training specific to the job at the four triggers, repeated and updated as risks change.
3. Instructions for using equipment, substances and protective equipment; only workers with adequate instructions may enter zones of serious and specific danger.
4. Welcome and accompaniment of every new worker, with an experienced colleague and a signed confirmation by the responsible line manager.

The employer must also consider each worker's capabilities before giving a task. Line managers check that tasks go to workers with the necessary competence, training and instructions, and that workers understand and apply them.

Training required by specific rules

How Belgium compares

The EU Framework Directive requires adequate training at recruitment, transfer, new equipment and new technology, which Belgium follows almost word for word. Türkiye goes further on form: its Regulation on Employees' OSH Training (Çalışanların İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Eğitimlerinin Usul ve Esasları Hakkında Yönetmelik, 2 April 2026) sets minimum hours (at least 8, 12 or 16 lesson hours of basic training in less hazardous, hazardous and very hazardous workplaces) and repetition intervals by hazard class. In Belgium, the adequacy of training is judged against the risk analysis, so records should show what was taught, to whom and why.

Common mistakes

• Relying on a single induction video. Training must be specific to the job and repeated when equipment, technology or risks change.
• Letting first-aid refreshers lapse. A first-aider who misses a refresher and does not attend another within 12 months is no longer considered qualified.
• Charging workers for courses or holding them outside paid time.

Related on excodex

• Occupational safety and health in Belgium: law, authorities and employer duties
• OSH competence and training: needs, induction and effectiveness
• How are explosive atmospheres and Ex equipment regulated in Belgium?

Standards and further reading

• Code of well-being at work, articles I.2-11, I.2-15 to I.2-21, book I title 5 (first aid, article I.5-9), III.2-17 and III.2-18, IV.2-3, IV.2-4, IV.3-7, annex III.4-2 and article X.2-3, consolidated 13 June 2026: FPS Employment PDF
• Act of 4 August 1996, Article 5 (information and instructions): FPS Employment PDF

This article is general occupational safety and health information prepared by the excodex editorial team. It does not replace the applicable legislation, standards, manufacturers' instructions or the assessment of a competent OSH professional or occupational physician.