Responding is Jordan Kovacsik, content editor, BIS Safety Software, Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Safety training is useful only if it’s remembered. Environmental, health and safety lessons left unabsorbed are a waste of everyone’s time. That’s why it’s crucial to deliver training in a way that’s constructive, practical and relatable.

When your training is engaging, you check all those boxes. Here are the top five methods for engaging employees during safety training.

1. Interactive training methods

Interactive training methods use classic retention methods to really drive lessons home. According to research published by the Journal of Experimental Psychology, interactive learning methods can lead to a higher retention rate compared with traditional methods. Below is a list of interactive training activities and examples:

1. Role-playing. Employees simulate an emergency evacuation, with some playing injured individuals and others guiding them to safety.
2. Workshops. A workshop on proper use and maintenance of personal protective equipment during which participants physically handle different types of gear.
3. E-learning modules. An e-learning module that requires participants to navigate a virtual environment, identifying and addressing safety hazards.
4. Group discussions. A discussion on the importance of reporting near misses and sharing personal experiences related to safety incidents.
5. Safety games and quizzes. A safety-themed trivia game with questions related to company policies, emergency procedures and hazard recognition.

2. Gamification

A study published in the International Journal of Training and Development concluded that gamified elements in training can improve engagement up to 14%. Gamification involves incorporating gamelike elements such as quizzes, badges and rewards into the training process to make it more enjoyable and interactive.

To truly unlock the essence of games, a reward system must be in place. Use rewards and incentives to get your people involved in more than just an analytical manner.

Further, difficulty in your safety games can create a healthy competitive atmosphere that also contributes to the retention value of the learning.

3. Mobile learning and microlearning

Research by the eLearning Guild suggests that microlearning – which involves delivering content in small, focused units – can increase employee engagement up to 50%. Additionally, mobile learning allows employees to access training materials anytime and anywhere, contributing to better engagement.

Consider leveraging mobile learning when there isn’t a lot of time that can be devoted to safety modules.

It’s also advantageous to have themes of the week, during which all the micro-learning modules are topical. For instance, a “Pinch Point Safety Week.”

4. Social learning and collaboration

Toolbox talks and other communal safety reforms sweeping our nation are proof of concept for social learning. Toolbox talks are meetings during which colleagues can share near misses, advice and stories they’ve encountered at work. Stories have always been an essential tool for learning, so promoting meetings where your team can share is essential.

According to a study by Bersin & Associates, organizations with a strong culture of collaborative learning are 17% more likely to be market leaders. Encouraging employees and contractors to learn from each other through discussions, forums and collaborative projects can enhance engagement.

5. Personalized learning paths

Personalized learning paths can be easy to produce. Even allowing an employee to access their learning material gives them power of attorney over their training and allows them to take ownership. The Journal of Educational Psychology suggests that personalized learning can improve employee engagement and achievement.

Editor's note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be considered a National Safety Council endorsement.