Health and Safety training is very important to the success of any company. A company that takes this training seriously will be prepared in case of an emergency and will have a better chance of preventing injuries.
It is important for everyone who works for the company to have proper training so that they can be sure that they are doing everything they can to keep their employees safe. This includes not just employees, but supervisors and managers as well.
When there is a problem, it should be dealt with quickly and efficiently. If there is an issue with someone’s health, then it should be dealt with right away by calling 911 or taking them to the hospital if needed. If the person has suffered some kind of injury while working at the company, then this should be reported immediately so that it can be dealt with properly before any further damage occurs.
If you are interested in how your business can benefit from Health and Safety Training, then contact your local Health Department today! They will give you information about what types of classes are offered near you and what kinds of things you will need to do before starting these classes. They may even offer discounts on certain courses depending on how many times per year you take them!
The provision of information and training for employees will develop their awareness and understanding of the specific hazards and risks associated with their jobs and working environment. It will inform them of the control measures in place and any related safe procedures that must be followed. Apart from satisfying legal obligations, several benefits will accrue to the employer by providing sound information and training to employees. These benefits include:
- a reduction in accident severity and frequency;
- a reduction in injury and ill-health related absence;
- a reduction in compensation claims and, possibly, insurance premiums;
- an improvement in the health and safety culture of the organization;
- improved staff morale and retention.
Health and safety training is an important part of the health and safety culture. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and other regulations, it is also a legal requirement for an employer to provide such training. Training is required on recruitment, at induction, or on being exposed to new or increased risks due to:
- being transferred to another job or given a change in responsibilities;
- the introduction of new work equipment or a change of use in existing work equipment;
- the introduction of new technology;
- the introduction of a new system of work or the revision of an existing system of work;
- an increase in the employment of more vulnerable employees (young or disabled persons);
- particular training required by the organization’s insurance company (e.g., specific fire and emergency training).
Additional training may well be needed following a single or series of accidents or near misses, the introduction of new legislation, the issuing of an enforcement notice, or a risk assessment or safety audit.
During the development of a training course, the target audience must be considered. If the audience is young persons, the chosen approach must be capable of retaining their interest, and any illustrative examples used must be within their experience. The trainer must also be aware of external influences, such as peer pressures, and use them. For example, if everybody wears PPE, it will be seen as the thing to do. Levels of literacy and numeracy are other important factors.
The way in which the training session is presented by the use of DVDs, PowerPoint slides, case studies, lectures, or small discussion groups needs to be related to the material to be covered and the backgrounds of the trainees. Supplementary information in the form of copies of slides and additional background reading is often useful. The environment used for the training sessions is also important in room layout and size, lighting, and heating.
Attempts should be made to measure the effectiveness of the training by course evaluation forms issued at the time of the session, by a subsequent refresher session, and by checking for improvements in health and safety performance (such as a reduction in specific accidents).
There are several different types of training; these include induction training, job-specific training, supervisory and management, and specialist training. Informal sessions held at work are known as ‘ toolbox talks.’ Such sessions should only be used to cover a limited number of issues. They can become a useful route for employee consultation.
