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Workplace Health and Safety Basics Course (EU) 2026

This course is for workers, new supervisors and small business owners anywhere in the European Union. It explains the EU's basic safety and health law, what employers and workers must do, how to carry out a simple risk assessment, common hazards, and how to report accidents and near misses. Each topic has a short lesson and an untimed quiz, followed by a timed 30-question final assessment; score 80% or more to earn a Certificate of Completion.

  • Course
  • European Union
  • 100 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 150 minutes of lessons, 6 untimed topic quizzes (100 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 30 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsWorkplace Health and Safety Basics Course (EU): Lessons: about 150 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Explain why safety and health at work matters and how EU directives become national law
  • Describe the employer's main duties under the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC
  • Describe your own duties as a worker and your rights when there is serious danger
  • Carry out a simple risk assessment in steps and put risks in order of priority
  • Recognise common hazards such as slips and trips, screen work, noise and chemicals, and read EU safety signs
  • Report accidents and near misses so that the workplace can learn from them

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons6 lessons, about 150 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: Why OSH matters and how EU law works15 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: Employer duties: prevention and training17 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Worker duties and rights16 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Risk assessment step by step16 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Common hazards: slips, screens, noise, chemicals and signs20 questions
  7. Topic quiz 6: Reporting accidents and near misses16 questions
  8. Final exam30 questions, 35 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: Why OSH matters and how EU law works

  1. Question 1 of 15

    What does OSH stand for?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Occupational safety and health

    OSH means occupational safety and health: protecting people from harm caused by their work.

  2. Question 2 of 15

    What is EU-OSHA?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The EU's information agency for safety and health at work

    EU-OSHA describes itself as the European Union information agency for occupational safety and health. National authorities enforce the law.

  3. Question 3 of 15

    Which EU law sets the general principles for safety and health at work?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Framework Directive 89/391/EEC

    Directive 89/391/EEC is the basic safety and health law. The other directives deal with specific topics.

  4. Question 4 of 15

    When was the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC adopted?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 12 June 1989

    The Framework Directive was adopted on 12 June 1989. Member States had to apply it by 31 December 1992.

  5. Question 5 of 15

    Which workplaces does the Framework Directive cover?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. All sectors, public and private, with few exceptions

    It covers all sectors of activity, public and private. It does not apply only where certain public service work, such as the armed forces or police, inevitably conflicts with it.

  6. Question 6 of 15

    Under the Framework Directive, who counts as a "worker"?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Anyone employed by an employer, including trainees

    The directive defines a worker as any person employed by an employer, including trainees and apprentices (domestic servants are excluded).

  7. Question 7 of 15

    What must an EU Member State do with a directive on safety and health at work?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Transpose it into national law by a set deadline

    A directive is binding and obliges Member States to transpose it into national law within a set deadline.

  8. Question 8 of 15

    Can an EU country have stricter safety rules than an EU directive?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Yes, they are free to adopt stricter rules

    EU directives set a common base. Member States may adopt stricter rules, so requirements can vary between countries.

  9. Question 9 of 15

    Why might the safety rules in Spain differ from those in Sweden?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Each country puts directives into its own law and may add stricter rules

    Directives are transposed into national law, and countries may go further. This is why you must always check national rules.

  10. Question 10 of 15

    How does the Framework Directive relate to a specific directive, such as the one on noise?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Both apply; the stricter, more specific noise rules prevail

    The Framework Directive continues to apply to all areas covered by individual directives. Where an individual directive is more stringent or specific, its provisions prevail.

  11. Question 11 of 15

    Which of these topics has its own individual EU directive on safety at work?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Work with display screen equipment

    Directive 90/270/EEC covers display screen equipment. It is one of the individual directives based on the Framework Directive.

  12. Question 12 of 15

    According to EU-OSHA, about how much of the EU's GDP is the cost to society of work-related injuries and diseases?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 3.3%

    EU-OSHA estimates that work-related injuries and diseases cost the equivalent of 3.3% of EU GDP.

  13. Question 13 of 15

    Studies cited by EU-OSHA found what return for every euro invested in OSH?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 2.2 euros

    EU-OSHA reports studies showing a return of 2.2 euros for every euro invested in OSH.

  14. Question 14 of 15

    In 2024, which sector had the largest share of fatal accidents at work in the EU?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Construction

    Eurostat reports that close to a quarter (23.0%) of fatal accidents at work in the EU in 2024 were in construction.

  15. Question 15 of 15

    The Framework Directive defines "prevention". What does it mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. All steps taken at all stages of work to prevent or reduce risks

    Prevention means all the steps or measures taken or planned at all stages of work to prevent or reduce occupational risks.

What to know before the test

  • The OSH Framework Directive 89/391/EEC was adopted on 12 June 1989 and covers all sectors of activity, both public and private.
  • Member States must transpose EU directives into national law and are free to adopt stricter rules, so safety requirements can vary between countries.
  • Safety, hygiene and health measures at work may in no circumstances involve workers in financial cost.
  • Employers must keep a list of accidents that leave a worker unfit for work for more than three working days.
  • In 2024 there were 3,367 fatal accidents at work in the EU, and close to a quarter of them were in construction.
  • EU-OSHA estimates that work-related injuries and diseases cost the equivalent of 3.3% of EU GDP.
  • Under the noise directive, hearing protectors must be used where daily exposure matches or exceeds 85 dB(A), and the limit value of 87 dB(A) must never be exceeded.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course an official or legally required safety training certificate?

No. If you pass the final assessment you get a PassEveryTest Certificate of Completion, which shows you finished this general awareness course. It is not an accredited qualification or a legally required training certificate, and it does not replace the training your employer must give you for your own job and workplace.

Does EU law apply the same way in every country?

EU directives set common minimum rules, but each Member State puts them into its own national law and may add stricter rules. Always check your national law and your employer's procedures.

How does the final assessment work?

It has 30 questions drawn at random from the course question bank, with a 35-minute time limit. You need 80% to pass, and each attempt gives you a new mix of questions.

Can I refuse to work if I think it is dangerous?

Under the Framework Directive, if there is serious, imminent and unavoidable danger, you may stop work and go to a place of safety, and you must not be put at a disadvantage for this. For other concerns, tell your employer or safety representative; national law sets the details.

Who pays for my safety training and protective equipment?

Your employer. Safety and health measures may never involve workers in financial cost, training must take place during working hours, and PPE must be provided free of charge.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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