Shortcutting safety: How to prevent cheating with e-learning courses at work

First off, let’s get one thing out of the way—online training courses are very rarely anyone’s idea of a “good time”, and for many it can feel like a tick-box exercise in the mundane. But for those of us who can see the bigger picture, it remains a critical part of keeping ourselves, and others, safe in the workplace. 

So, picture this: your employees sit down to complete their mandatory health & safety training. But instead of actually engaging with the course, they open a second browser tab, type a few keywords into Google, and voilà! They pass the course with flying colours, having not retained a single bit of information. Sound familiar? 

Read on for the insights you need to make your training cheat-proof, keep your workforce informed, and protect your business from unnecessary risks. 

Cheating, surely not? 

Cheating in e-learning happens more than you think—but it’s rarely out of malice. Employees may not realise the importance of the exercise, feel pressed for time, or find the content less-than-engaging. While it may seem harmless in the moment, this shortcut culture can lead to major knowledge gaps, and even major consequences…

E-learning: the good, the bad, the ugly 

E-learning has transformed training throughout workplaces, offering flexibility, cost efficiency and the ability to standardise content for teams big and small. Employees can learn at their own pace, revisit tricky topics, and fit training around schedules. And for business owners, it’s a no-brainer: scalable, trackable, and easy to update as regulations change. 

But without proper implementation, there is a downside. Without the face-to-face accountability of in-person training, it can sometimes be easier for employees to cut corners if you’re not careful. Plus, health & safety e-learning can feel a bit impersonal if the content isn’t tailored, engaging, and lacks the proper accreditations.  

Still, when you get it right, e-learning’s potential far outweighs it’s pitfalls—as long as your business knows how to source courses that prioritise engagement, integrity, and effectiveness—and that’s exactly what we’re here for. How can I prevent cheating in H&S online training courses? 

Preventing cheating starts at the beginning—invest in e-learning content that people actively enjoy. You want to minimise the chance of eye rolls and second tabs being sneakily opened by choosing your health & safety e-learning provider carefully. 

Look for training that’s CPD-accredited 

Why? CPD-accreditation shows your employees that this will be a worthwhile use of their precious time. Invest in modern software that’s fast and reliable. If your staff are stuck looking at spinning circles or endless loading screens they’re more likely to simply “switch off” out of frustration or boredom.  

Conduct regular follow-ups  

Engage  with your employees after training to ensure they’ve retained the important info. Did they have any questions about the course? Is there anything else they’d like to know? Any improvements to suggest? Communication helps foster a culture of integrity and trust, and that level of transparency goes a long way to making the whole process easier for everyone in the future. 

Respect your staff’s time 

if you’re not giving your team ample time to complete the exercises, then they’ll go on the back burner. Why is this such a bad thing? One, your staff feel like you may not respect their time. You’ll come across as someone who doesn’t have true oversight of their role, how they divide their day, or their capacity. Two, they’ll feel like the e-learning wasn’t all that important in the first place. This can open up your business to severe risks in the long-run. 

Finally, just be vigilant of warning signs. If someone completes a 40 minute course in 2 minutes, they’ll either be a health & safety deity in mortal form, or, more likely, overly friendly with Google or ChatGPT over on a second tab. The same goes for those who take too long. If you have your suspicions, approach the topic sensitively and transparently. Remember, a culture of integrity and trust is what you want to foster. 

What are the consequences of poor understanding of workplace health & safety? 

Failing to grasp health & safety procedures can, (and will) lead to severe consequences, not only for your business, but for your employees. 

• Injuries and accidents that can have severe consequences for employees, but also significant fines for you, such as when Bio Dynamic (UK) was fined £300k for an explosion in 2024 which injured two employees 

• Operational disruption from incidents that halt production, causing delays and losses 

• Reputational damage which harms client trust as well as your organisation 

• Morale issues, as employees are less likely to stay in unsafe, poorly managed environments 

And this long list is precisely why maximising the effectiveness of your e-learning courses is so important, including minimising cheating in online exams.  

Why BrightSafe e-learning is essential for your business 

A single health and safety mistake can cost your business thousands in fines, disrupt operations, harm your reputation, and lower employee morale.  

Follow our advice, and you’ll make your health & safety e-learning as effective as possible. Helping you avoid costly accidents, protect your people, your profits, and gain peace of mind for the future. 

BrightSafe e-learning is the must-have solution to give your team flexible, accessible and engaging onlinetraining designed to reduce risks and ensure everyone understands their health & safety responsibilities.  

Want to see how it works? Book a demo with one of our friendly experts today or call us on 0800 470 2432.