The Importance of Safety Training
OHSA provides a great insight into the importance of training;
Employers must have an overall safety program including relative site specific safety information where applicable. The safety training program should cover topics such as:
- Accident Prevention and Safety Promotion
- Safety Compliance
- Accident and Emergency Response
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Safety Practices
- Equipment and Machinery
- Chemical and Hazardous Materials Safety
- Workplace Hazards
- Employee Involvement
Employers must document all training as a record of their staff’s attendance. Creating a training matrix will help keep track of who has been trained, when they were trained, the training topic, and when it is time for refresher training. Employees must also sign an official sign-in sheet provided by the employer that can serve as proof that employees received proper training. The sign in sheet must have a broad description of what is being covered in the training. Tests or quizzes on the presented material can help gauge employee understanding of the material and highlight topics that need to be reviewed. It is also important to do refresher training as this reminds the employees of the content and what it means to them.
The non-English speaking population is consistently growing in many industries and it is important that employers provide bilingual training for those workers, as OSHA requires that all employees be properly trained.
Most employees display attitudes of disinterest and dread at the thought of attending a safety training, which can leave the trainer feeling frustrated and unappreciated. It is the trainer’s duty to make safety training fun and educational and with examples the employees can relate to, which will help the trainees to retain the information, enjoy the course, and apply the learning to their work and lives.
Improving open communication and consultation channels in your workplace is not only an OHS requirement in New South Wales, but essential to maintaining happy, motivated and productive staff. A little more talk can go a long way…
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The newly introduced Harmonisation Laws require all employers to consult regularly with employees on safety matters. More importantly they need to demonstrate how they consult on safety matters and show that theses skills are held by the employer or their officers. Safety Concepts has partnered with a Registered Training Organisation to offer the fully accredited course BSBOHS402B Consultation in the Workplace which is designed to satisfy the requirements of the new Harmonisation Laws. You can complete this training course for only $200 per employee using our online learning platform. Busy employers, managers and supervisors do not have to attend classes or lectures – it is all online.
Click here to enroll now for this Government Approved OHS qualification.
Benefits of a training program:
An effective training program can reduce the number of injuries and deaths, property damage, legal liability, illnesses, workers’ compensation claims, and missed time from work.
Safety training classes help establish a safety culture in which employees themselves help to promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embraces the importance of workplace safety as it is easy for seasoned workers to negatively influence new staff. That negative influence however, can be purged with the establishment of new, hands-on, innovative effective safety training which will ultimately lead to an effective safety culture.
If you would like more information about how Safety Concepts can assist with your training needs drop us an email at joanne@safetyconcepts.com.au
