2016 Training Survey

The challenges are having instructors who know more than the minimum OSHA requirements. Workers are adult learners. Whenever possible, hands on training should be included to reinforce the classroom portion. Too many times individuals who take an OSHA trainer course think they have the knowledge and ability to provide safety training. The problem is that OSHA is the minimum safety & health requirements. Standards like ANSI, ASME, NFPA and other applicable standards need to be included in the training. Management too often looks at training as an expense that takes away from the profitability of the company. Proper, effective safety training is actually a profit center. Effective safety training not only improves the workers' knowledge of how to work safely, but the cost of the training is an expense that can be deducted from the company's taxes. Fines paid to government agencies are not tax deductible. Effective safety training can reduce accident costs, improve production and provide an employer with a bargaining position when buying or renewing insurance policies. Safety Pays! Lack of Safety Costs! Effective safety training is priceless!

I have utilized and found asking the employee to introduce themselves and share how effective was their previous employers safety programs. This provides them an opportunity to relax during the orientation creating an atmosphere of open dialogue. I have also utilized various pieces of PPE equipment that was involved in a work related incident. Such as a hard hat that was split in the middle due to an impact, actually saving the employees life. This provides the group with the realization of why PPE is required by utilizing several different props. One of the most effective means of the training is to invite an employee that has experienced a work related injury and allow them to share the outcome of the injury. They can share why they were injured, corrective and preventive measures and how it impacted their life. Lastly, I always provide a survey at the end of the training for all new hires to complete. This provides myself and the trainers an opportunity to be critiqued and improve where needed.