Training

Safety Training Concepts and Resources

Risk assessments and audits of operations may discover the need for immediate personnel training as a priority issue.  Training requirements are determined by the nature of the industry as well as specific company risk and hazards.  Requlatory Standards may also require specific training - hazard communication, lockout/tagout, confined space, fall protection, etc. depending on the assessment findings or operations

Once the needs assessment has been completed, a scan of OSHA criteria to include Federal, State and Local regulations may mandate the type and nature of the training.  In addition, training beyond regulatory compliance may be in order to get beyond the minimum criteria. 

Wikipedia outlines Safety Training at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_Safety_Training

How to use Training effectively

ANSI Z490.1-2001, “Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training” states that a safety training program should include written plans that tell how training development, delivery, documentation, recordkeeping, and evaluation will be accomplished. The following elements should be included in a training program:

• Training Development: Procedures for developing a needs assessment, learning objectives, course content and format, resource materials, and criteria for course completion.   E-training provides immediate quality course content and the ability to document course completion
• Training Delivery: Ways to ensure that the quality of training is delivered by a competent trainer in a suitable training environment.  E-training provides a consistent level of training to all students.  E-training can assist you in evaluating your own knowledge of the topic thus improving your other training presentations on the topic. Have you maintained your knowledge of the topic?
• Training Documentation and Recordkeeping: Procedures and reports that ensures that the quality and maintenance of training delivery and program evaluations, with trainer and trainee certifications.   The e-training resource provides for the documentation of course activity and history. 
• Training Evaluation Plan: The standard provides procedures that describe how evaluation of training program design and performance will be accomplished with a continuous improvement approach.    As courses are completed and refreshers provided, the overall curriculum can be adjusted to meet student needs and changes in the workplace.

Who Needs Training?

 Safety Training should include new hires, contract employees, and all employees in high-risk areas.

• Managers and supervisors (don’t forget them!) should be included as they must understand and know what content has been provided.  They should also receive training in hazard recognition, the hierarchy of controls, risk assessments, incident investigations, and how to provide and reinforce training.
• The “long-term” employee who changes a job or as a result of new processes or material changes and should be provided training prior to start-up.
• The entire workforce needs periodic refresher training in general safety criteria.  Don’t assume “they” know just because they’ve been there a long time.  Standards and understanding can drift for the worst over time.
• Review and assess training records to ensure that everyone gets timely and comprehensive safety training.

Why add e-training to your safety training program?

• Delays in the providing of training are reduced as employees can be provided with immediate sessions that begin meeting initial information needs.
• As a comprehensive safety training resource, a customized training curriculum can be scheduled and budgeted to assure each employee receives a quality learning session.  E-training allows for a flexible resource for each employee’s specific training needs. 
• Each e-training course provides specific instructional content designed to meet OSHA related criteria.
• As an outside the company resource, e-training can assist in assuring your training process is more effective.
• Refresher sessions can be routinely provided to document current levels of understanding.
• Each course can be provided on a “per student” basis with bulk registrations available.

Having or using only on type of “training” media is not sufficient to meet the needs of all employees.   To increase student knowledge retention rates, your training process should provide a combination of audio-visual, demonstration, participation, practice and use of the information learned.   E-training can add depth to your training process by providing content that requires direct and active involve by the student.

Reference

For additional insights on training development see Chapter 7 of “Job Hazard Analysis, A guide for Voluntary Compliance and Beyond” by James Roughton and Nathan Crutchfield, published by Butterworth and Heinemann, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-7506-8346.3

Courses can be accessed, selected and paid for by simply clicking and following the instructions at:  Crutchfieldconsulting,LLC,  e-training