Health and Safety Awareness HSA Course 2026

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The construction industry in the United Kingdom is one of the most varied, complex and safety critical environments in the modern workforce. Every project brings different risks, from working at height and moving machinery to exposure to dust, noise and hazardous materials. In this context, proactive safety education is a necessity rather than a luxury. This is where the CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course, also known as the HSA Course, plays a foundational role.

At Target Zero Training we work with thousands of learners every year who are entering construction for the first time, looking to build confidence on site and aiming to meet the requirements of employers and principal contractors across the United Kingdom. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about the HSA Course in 2026 including what it involves, who it is for, how it supports applications for the CSCS Labourer Card, why employers invest in it, how it fits into future qualifications and how it supports safer more productive sites.

You can view current course availability and booking options at the following page
CITB Health and Safety Awareness Courses

What is the HSA Course

The HSA Course is an introductory construction safety programme created by CITB. It teaches workers the essential principles of safe working on building sites. The purpose of the course is not to create experts in technical subjects such as temporary works or scaffolding. Instead, it creates baseline awareness about risks, behaviours, legal duties and expectations that apply to everyone on site regardless of experience or job title.

The HSA Course covers the basics of:

• Legal responsibilities for employers and employees
• Common site hazards and appropriate controls
• Accident prevention techniques
• Personal protective equipment and correct usage
• Risk assessments and method statements
• Site communication and reporting procedures
• Safe behaviour and workforce culture

For many people, this is their first formal introduction to construction safety. It sets the foundation for all future learning, whether that leads to supervision qualifications, management credentials, trade specific NVQs or specialist safety pathways.

Why Construction Needs HSA Training in 2026

The year 2026 continues to build on a decade of increasing safety expectations across the construction sector. Industry regulators, principal contractors and government bodies have placed greater emphasis on competence and documented training. As a result, workers face a more structured compliance landscape.

There are several factors that make HSA training vital in this environment:

Increased client and contractor scrutiny

Principal contractors are under pressure to demonstrate that everyone on site has the right level of competence. The HSA certificate provides evidence that the individual understands basic safety requirements.

Legal expectations

The Health and Safety at Work Act and the Construction Design and Management Regulations place duties on employers and workers. HSA training supports compliance by making workers aware of these duties.

Complex site environments

Construction sites involve electrical systems, excavations, plant vehicles, temporary structures and multiple subcontractors. HSA training helps new entrants understand how these elements interact and why safe behaviour matters.

Workforce development

The construction industry aims to increase recruitment of apprentices and new entrants. HSA acts as an onboarding pathway that supports this growth.

Cultural improvement

Safety culture is strongest when every worker understands the impact of their choices. HSA helps build respect for safety systems and shared responsibility.

Who Should Attend the HSA Course

Although the HSA Course is suitable for many types of workers, the most common learners include:

• New entrants to construction
• Apprentices and trainees
• Labourers seeking site access
• Individuals applying for the CSCS Labourer Card
• People transferring from other industries
• Returning workers who require a safety refresher
• Employers inducting new staff

The course is suitable for workers across all trades and disciplines, including groundworks, plumbing, carpentry, demolition, bricklaying, general labouring and facilities work. Employers also purchase HSA courses in bulk for groups of workers during onboarding phases.

What Learners Will Gain from the HSA Course

At Target Zero Training we focus on learning outcomes rather than just certification. Learners completing the HSA Course gain valuable understanding in several key areas that affect safety and productivity on construction sites.

Understanding of legal duties

Learners become aware of how safety law applies to them. They learn that employers must provide safe systems of work and proper training, and that workers must cooperate with those systems.

Awareness of hazard categories

Construction sites present hazards such as working at height, manual handling, noise, dust, moving vehicles, electricity and chemical exposure. Learners learn what these hazards look like and how to avoid them.

Confidence to act safely

Workers who complete the HSA Course are less likely to follow unsafe instructions or ignore unsafe behaviour. They are more likely to ask questions, challenge risks and report problems.

Better communication

Clear communication prevents misunderstandings that lead to injury. The HSA Course explains how toolbox talks, risk assessments, permits to work and signage help maintain order and control on site.

Knowledge pathways

The HSA Course opens doors to future development, such as SSSTS for supervisors, SMSTS for managers and NVQs for trade competence.

How the HSA Course Supports the CSCS Labourer Card

One of the most frequent reasons people attend the HSA Course is to gain eligibility for the CSCS Labourer Card. This card is widely recognised by contractors as proof that the holder has basic safety awareness and is suitable for site access.

To gain the CSCS Labourer Card, individuals must:

• Complete the CITB HSA Course
• Pass the CITB Health Safety and Environment Operative Test
• Apply for the card through CSCS

We guide many learners through this process. It is often the first significant step in a construction career. With the Labourer Card complete, workers can gain site experience, move into apprenticeships or begin trade specific NVQs.

How Long the HSA Course Takes

The HSA Course is delivered over a single day. This makes it practical for individuals and cost effective for employers. The course is instructor led, with interactive elements and opportunities for learners to ask questions, clarify uncertainties and explore real examples from construction projects.

At Target Zero Training we offer both classroom and online delivery to ensure that busy contractors and individuals can fit training around work commitments. Classroom delivery is popular for apprentices and employer groups. Online delivery is popular with self funded learners and those living far from training venues.

Assessment and Certification

The assessment at the end of the course confirms that the learner understands the content. The assessment format is clear and accessible. Pass rates are high for learners who engage with the training. Once passed, learners receive a recognised CITB certificate. The certificate can be provided digitally for fast processing or physically if required by employer policy.

Why Employers Invest in HSA Training

Employers choose Target Zero Training for HSA delivery for several reasons related to safety, reputation and productivity.

Reduction in accidents

Most accidents involving new starters result from misunderstanding, lack of awareness or failure to follow safe work systems. HSA training significantly reduces these risks.

Improved compliance

Employers must demonstrate due diligence under law. Providing HSA training is a documented demonstration that they take safety seriously.

Better productivity

A safe site is an organised and more productive site. HSA training reduces stoppages, investigations and downtime.

Client expectations

Clients often demand that all personnel hold recognised safety qualifications. HSA training meets that expectation.

Improved culture

Workers who understand why safety matters contribute more positively to team safety culture.

Where the HSA Course Sits in the Construction Training Pathway

The HSA Course is not an endpoint. It is the beginning of a structured development journey. Many learners progress to higher qualifications after gaining site experience.

Common progression routes include:

CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme SSSTS

Supervisors learn how to lead teams, implement safety systems and communicate effectively.

CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme SMSTS

Site managers learn how to manage projects and legal responsibilities at a higher level.

NVQs in Construction Trades and Site Management

NVQs demonstrate trade competence and allow workers to apply for higher CSCS Cards including Skilled Worker and Supervisory cards. Target Zero Training provides NVQs across multiple pathways, supporting the full development lifecycle of construction professionals.

How HSA Supports Workforce Mobility and Career Growth

A worker who completes the HSA Course gains more than certification. They gain confidence, employability and a stronger relationship with safety culture. This has three important long term effects:

Better employability

Workers with recognised training are more attractive to employers who need competent labour on site.

Clearer career paths

HSA acts as a gateway to trade qualifications, supervisory roles and specialist safety positions.

Higher earning potential

Workers who progress to NVQs, SSSTS or SMSTS often increase their earnings due to competence and responsibility.

HSA and Construction Safety Culture

Construction is changing. Safety culture is no longer seen as a tick box exercise. It is a core part of workforce wellbeing and project success. The HSA Course supports culture by:

• Encouraging workers to ask questions
• Normalising safety conversations
• Demonstrating management commitment
• Reducing peer pressure to work unsafely
• Aligning behaviour with legal requirements

When everyone understands their role in safety, incidents become less likely and productivity increases.

How Target Zero Training Delivers HSA in 2026

As one of the United Kingdoms leading construction training providers we deliver HSA Courses with a focus on clarity, accessibility and learner support. We offer:

• National delivery for employers and groups
• Online learning options for flexibility
• Clear learning materials and structured content
• Support for CSCS card applications
• A helpful booking team available seven days a week
• Training delivered by experienced instructors who have worked on real sites
• Excellent learner satisfaction ratings across independent review platforms

Our independent reputation speaks for itself. We have an Excellent score of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot and an Excellent score of 4.9 out of 5 on Reviews UK with more than nine thousand combined reviews.

Trustpilot reviews for our training can be seen here
Target Zero Training Trustpilot Page

Reviews UK can be viewed here
Target Zero Training Reviews UK Page

These independent ratings show that learners value our teaching quality, our support and our professionalism.

Conclusion The Role of HSA in Construction Safety and Workforce Development

The CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course is not just a certificate for compliance. It is a structured educational experience that sets the tone for a safe and rewarding construction career. It equips new entrants with vital knowledge, helps employers build stronger teams and ensures that projects across the United Kingdom operate with fewer incidents and more confidence.

As the industry continues to expand and modernise in 2026, the importance of baseline safety education will only increase. Whether you are an apprentice, a labourer, a returning worker or an employer onboarding new staff, the HSA Course represents a practical investment in safety, compliance and productivity.

Learners who complete HSA training position themselves for immediate site access, CSCS Labourer Card applications and progression into more advanced qualifications such as SSSTS, SMSTS and trade specific NVQs. Employers who invest in HSA benefit from reduced incidents, improved legal protection, better workforce morale and stronger client relationships.

To learn more or to book your place on the next available course please visit the link below
CITB Health and Safety Awareness Courses

At Target Zero Training we are dedicated to supporting individuals and organisations as they build safer, smarter and more competent construction workforces across the United Kingdom.