Strengthening Workplace Safety through Site Safety Training

Importance

Every industry has its share of workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. High-risk sectors like transportation and warehousing account for the majority of incidents, while agriculture and mining tallied the highest fatality rates. Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) agree that most of these are preventable. And, possibly, the best way to keep the numbers low is through comprehensive safety training.

• Ensures worker safety – Equipping employees with adequate knowledge and skills about their workplace and the hazards they face enables them to mitigate risks effectively. They are also empowered to balance confidence and caution in every step taken.
• Boosts operational productivity – Workers accomplish their tasks more efficiently when they feel confident in their surroundings. Aside from minimizing downtimes and disruptions due to near-misses and injuries, errors and rework are reduced, which is also good for the business.
• Increases cost-savings – Efficiency results in productivity, which means good revenues for the company. On top of that, the organization does not have to spend on pricey hospital bills, compensation claims, and insurance costs. Site safety training does require resources but won’t amount to the expenses due to injuries.

Key Elements

Establishing a strong safety culture within the organization starts with developing a sustainable safety program that does more than merely maintain a safe environment. The program should also empower employees to function with safety as their top priority. To accomplish this challenging feat, the following essentials must be considered:

Hazard Identification and Assessment

One of the most crucial components of any site safety training program is teaching employees how to recognize the potential dangers in their workplace, whether physical, chemical, or environmental. When workers are aware of the existence of these risks and understand how they emerge, they become more proactive in preventing them and taking precautions to protect themselves and the people around them.

Standard Operating Procedures and Safety Protocols

These provide guidelines for performing tasks, emphasizing how to do them safely to reduce related risks. Different businesses across sectors usually have unique SOPs, but many share the same basic safety protocols to conform with legal requirements:

• Wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job.
• Observe good housekeeping (e.g., keep walking surfaces dry, put away tools when not in use, sweep or vacuum dust and dirt off the floor) to reduce physical hazards at the workplace.
• Strictly follow the steps in operating a particular piece of equipment and stay alert when using this heavy machinery.

Emergency Response and Procedures

Workers should know what to do in case something wrong happens. It is understandable to get worried or alarmed when a machine suddenly sparks or if a chemical spills, but employees should have the competence and composure to handle the situation. Remember that quick and effective responses save lives and minimize damage.

• Explain the emergency plan or the step-by-step process of managing the incident. Depending on the issue, workers may be required to deal with the problem head-on or asked to call the authorities and evacuate immediately.
• Establish a communication line so the whole team knows who to turn to for specific requests, such as additional emergency resources from the overall command or first aid from the medical staff.
• Share the right way to report incidents so there won’t be conflicts or misunderstandings when reviewing them.

Metrics

A well-developed training program would be futile if there is no way to track its effectiveness. By leveraging analytics, the HR team, instructors, and training managers can see the level of participation, confirm retention rates, identify gaps in skills and knowledge, and make the necessary changes or improvements in the future. Managers can measure these through quizzes or return demonstrations post-sessions and 360-degree employee feedback.

Training Methodologies

There are various ways to deliver knowledge and skills in the workplace. It is imperative for training managers to utilize the method that suits the needs and capabilities of the company and their workers to ensure full engagement and success. Here are some methodologies to consider:

• Face-to-face classroom instruction (live or online)
• Hands-on demonstration (onboarding or on-the-job)
• Tech-based modules (e.g., bite-sized articles with quizzes, VR simulations, pre-recorded webinars)

Management Leadership

Successful training programs have one thing in common: the management believes health and safety should be a priority. They should also be committed to providing the necessary resources to implement them.

And for good measure, company leaders, administrators, and department managers should lead by example. When employees see their managers join them during the training sessions, listening attentively when an instructor is discussing a topic and participating in drills, they will understand that health and safety is a team effort and will take it seriously.

Best Practices

Aside from considering all the components mentioned above during the planning phase of the program, here are other ways to ensure success in implementing site safety training.

• Customize training programs – The delivery mode utilized and training materials created should be tailored to the needs and preferences of each team.
• Include real-life scenarios – Simulating actual incidents helps the employees relate to and understand the lesson better. More importantly, they get to apply the skills and knowledge in their job easier.
• Conduct regular safety updates – Daily toolbox talks or weekly safety meetings continuously reinforce the significance of safety in the workplace. During these discussions, employees can confer on observed hazards or minor incidents and receive recommendations for managing them more effectively.
• Get employee feedback – Training managers should encourage participants by seeking input, remarks, and recommendations about the curriculum. Honest discussions lead to real improvements in workplace safety.
• Integrate technology – Aside from logging in on Zoom and Skype for live webinars or brushing up on short safety lessons available on mobile apps, utilizing learning management systems improves the training experience for both students and training managers. The platform makes creating content, scheduling training sessions, and evaluating completion rates easier and more efficient.

Do more than organize a safety training session for your employees. With SafetyCulture Training, you can evaluate your team’s knowledge about safety and monitor their performance at work. And don’t take our word for it. Check out Level 10 Construction, The Block, Equipe Group, and Link Contracting and the rewards they have reaped by leveraging this top-rated operations and training platform.