Employers, clients and site managers regularly ask workers for proof of safety training. Unfortunately, forged and altered certificates exist. Online certificate verification lets anyone confirm in seconds whether a certificate is genuine, current and issued to the person presenting it.
Why verification matters
- Competence: someone claiming a confined space or work-at-height certificate must actually hold it.
- Legal duty: employers must be able to show that workers are trained.
- Insurance and contracts: clients often audit training records.
- Fairness: genuine candidates should not be undermined by fakes.
How to verify a certificate step by step
- Find the certificate number or the QR code printed on the certificate.
- Scan the QR code with a phone camera, or open the HSE LEAD verification page and type the certificate number.
- Compare the result with the document: holder name, course title, issue date and expiry date.
- Check that the status says valid. A revoked or expired certificate will be flagged.
What a genuine digital certificate includes
- A unique certificate number and QR code linked to the issuer's records
- The holder's name, course and dates
- Clear issuing organisation details and signatures
- A way to confirm validity without contacting the holder
Red flags
- No certificate number or QR code, or one that does not resolve
- Spelling mistakes, blurry logos or inconsistent fonts
- Details that do not match the verification result
- Pressure not to check
Best practice for employers
- Verify at onboarding and when certificates are due to expire.
- Keep a training matrix with expiry dates.
- Record the verification outcome in the worker's file.
Key takeaway: Scan, check, compare. A thirty-second verification protects your site and your people.
Frequently asked questions
Is verification free?
Yes, anyone can verify a certificate on the verification page.
What if a certificate is not found?
Re-check the number; if it still fails, contact us and we will investigate.
Ready to earn a verifiable credential? Browse the Program Catalog.