What is this training?
Article 2.2.4.6.35 of Decree 1072 of 2015 requires those responsible for implementing the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (SG-SST) to complete a fifty-hour online course and obtain a certificate of completion. Resolution 4927 of 2016 outlines the parameters for offering, content, certification, and registration of this free training.
This training focuses on the management system: understanding its organization, planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement. It is not equivalent to a technical or university degree, nor does it, on its own, certify competence for all preventive actions. Occupational health and safety (OSH) training must also be tailored to the actual functions and specific requirements of each activity.
Who is it aimed at?
The regulation includes those responsible for implementation as its target audience and allows for the participation of workers, employers, representatives, and the general public, among other groups. It is important to distinguish this openness from the specific obligation that affects those who assume certain responsibilities. Enrollment does not automatically qualify an individual to design any management system.
The company must identify who is actually performing the role and verify the job requirements. Changing a job title does not eliminate the need for specific skills. When hiring external support, it is advisable to review certifications, experience, training, and the scope of the intervention, without assuming that a single document qualifies the entire required profile.
Twenty-hour update
Resolution 4927 establishes a certified refresher course of twenty hours every three years to maintain certification. Circular 047 of 2025 details the content and conditions of this refresher. Therefore, document management must consider the date and nature of the certificates, not just retain the first one obtained several years ago.
The update allows for a review of regulatory changes and management criteria. It should not be structured as a mere administrative update without any learning component. It is helpful for the individual to connect the content to challenges within the system they manage: monitoring performance, evaluating compliance, or maintaining quality records. The company must provide sufficient time to complete and benefit from the training.
Training providers and certificate verification
Courses must be offered by providers that comply with the registration framework and requirements of Resolution 4927. Occupational risk insurers (ARLs) have specific offering responsibilities, and other institutions may participate in accordance with the regulations. Before enrolling, it is advisable to verify the provider’s identity, the program, the evaluation method, and the certification and registration procedure.
Upon receiving the certificate, it should be verified that it corresponds to the person, the course completed, and their approval. Circular 047 of 2025 reminds providers of the requirement to register certificates. A file with an official appearance or a logo does not, in itself, constitute sufficient evidence of authenticity; the verification mechanisms established by the competent authorities must be used.
Difference between course, license and professional profile
The occupational health and safety (OSH) license in Colombia authorizes specific areas of operation within its framework, while the course certifies specific training. Resolution 0312 of 2019 establishes different profiles based on size and risk. In certain cases, it allows for the execution or management of operations with the required training, but it distinguishes these functions from the design of the system.
An exception for small businesses should not be generalized to any organization or risk class. Nor does the certificate automatically qualify for medical or psychological evaluations or assessments that require specific qualifications. Before assigning tasks, the combination of required qualifications, licenses, experience, and training must be verified, along with the skills actually demonstrated.
Practical example
In a hypothetical example, a company appoints a person to coordinate the implementation of its OHSMS. During the profile review, it verifies that the person has completed the initial course but needs to update their certification. The company schedules the training with a provider in accordance with the applicable framework and retains the approval and registration documentation, as appropriate.
At the same time, it ensures that the design and specialized work are carried out by individuals with the required qualifications. Training helps coordinate the system but is not used to assign functions outside the authorized profile. The company documents responsibilities and maintains technical support for activities that require additional experience or qualifications.
Integration into skills management
Competence in occupational safety and health requires linking knowledge to decisions and tasks. A training record should indicate the role, requirement, certificate, and review date. Alerts can help schedule updates, provided someone verifies compliance and the organization retains the capacity to act when there is an absence or change of responsible party.
It’s important to assess how the learning is applied: whether planning improves, insufficient evidence is identified, or monitoring errors are resolved. Evaluation shouldn’t be limited to simply adding up hours. General system training should also be complemented with induction on the processes, risks, and procedures specific to the company where the person will be working.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes include confusing an initial course with a refresher course, ignoring the validity period, using unverified certificates, and presenting fifty hours as universal qualification. It is also insufficient to demand documents from a provider without verifying what activities they will perform. Corporate responsibility for the system is not transferred through a clause or a training certificate.
Effective management combines up-to-date training, clear roles, and expert support. Course content and procedures should be verified against current official regulations before enrolling in a course. The goal is for individuals to better understand and implement the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), while respecting the professional and legal boundaries applicable to each intervention.
