Occupational safety training is the process of teaching employees about the hazards they may face in the workplace and how to avoid them. Thus, the essence of occupational safety training is to increase industrial safety and improve workplace safety and health practices. Occupational safety training will vary depending on the industry, the specific hazards present in the workplace, and the role of the employee’s job tasks. As such, occupational safety training covers a broad spectrum of workplace safety issues ranging from general safety and site-specific safety to process and production safety and even the safety of office workers.
Thus, topics such as fire safety, electrical safety, ergonomics awareness, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as working at heights or in confined spaces, the safe operation of machinery and equipment, the safe transportation of hazmat, and the safe handling of hazardous materials and hazardous waste are encompassed within occupational safety training.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has oversight of worker rights and safety across most private sector industries and some public sector organizations. OSHA has developed a range of Standards for the construction and general industries, as well as maritime and agriculture. For personnel employed in the transportation of hazardous materials and goods, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed the Hazardous Materials Regulations or HMR, directing the safe transport of hazmat via highways, rail, air, and water.
To comply with these standards employers are required to provide training to their employees which must incorporate information on the regulations as well as on-site and on-the-job training to familiarize workers with company-specific safety protocols.
Importance of Occupational Safety Training
There are many reasons why occupational safety training is important. One of the most obvious is organizational and employer compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition, by providing safety training to employees, employers will also achieve the following.
- Minimize workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities – Employees who are trained in safety procedures and practices are better prepared to avoid workplace hazards. This can lead to a significant reduction in workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
- Improve productivity – When employees feel and believe they are safe and have all the tools necessary to safely carry out their work tasks, they are more likely to be more productive than those who fear for their safety. Accidents and injuries can lead to lost productivity, both for the employee who is injured and for their co-workers who must cover for them.
- Facilitate practical skills development – By providing safety training for specific job tasks, employees can hone their practical skills and be better equipped to handle real-world scenarios. This will reduce mistakes and enhance employees’ readiness to manage their work tasks.
- Reduces workers’ compensation costs – When employers provide occupational safety training, they can reduce their workers’ compensation costs. This is because accidents and injuries are less likely to happen, and when they do happen, the costs of claims are often lower because the employee has been trained in how to prevent them.
- Protects the employer from liability lawsuits – Employers who provide safety training specifically for high-risk jobs (for example, those who work in hazardous waste operations, people working with toxic chemicals, and those working in confined spaces or at heights) can protect themselves from liability lawsuits in the event of an accident or injury. This is because the employer can show that they took reasonable steps to protect their employees from harm.
- Create a positive safety culture – When employees are trained in safety, they are more likely to take safety seriously and to report hazards. This can create a positive safety culture in the workplace, which can further reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
All Employees Require Safety Training
It is an acknowledged fact that all employees, regardless of the industry they are employed by, whether new graduates, experienced specialists, or professionals seeking career transitions, must be provided with occupational safety training by their employers.
However, safety training is particularly critical for those employed in industries and organizations where the risks of accidents or injuries are higher due to the nature of their work operations. These industries include construction, manufacturing, welding, mining, healthcare, transportation (especially hazmat), warehousing and storage, and oil and gas.
Topics Covers in Occupational Safety Training Courses
As such, the topics covered under safety training will also vary. Some topics generally included in the safety training courses are:
- Hazard identification and assessment,
- How to implement safe work procedures and practices,
- How to select, use, and care for personal protective equipment (PPE),
- Medical surveillance requirements,
- Emergency procedures, and
- How to provide basic first aid and CPR.
Methods of Conducting Occupational Safety Training
Today, increasing emphasis on offering safety training to employees, coupled with the growing integration of technology, has facilitated more accessibility and availability of safety training. While traditional classroom training (at the client’s site or off-site) remains an option, employers now have access to other training methods which can often be more cost-effective. These include:
- Online training (E-learning)
- Virtual instructor-led training
- Simulation exercises
- On-the-job training
- SCORM packages
Some of these training methods can be combined to give participants a holistic and interesting safety training experience. However, the best methods vary across organizations depending on the size of the company, the number of workers requiring training, the type of work being done, and the budget available. Additionally, regulations may also stipulate the method(s) of training required. For example, workers involved in hazardous waste operations must receive on-the-job training in addition to either online, classroom-style, or virtual training.
Frequency of Occupational Safety Training
The frequency of safety training is dependent on regulatory requirements. OSHA for instance, requires HAZWOPER training to be done annually while other training courses are required every three years or as and when necessary. OSHA even specifies either 24-hour or 40-hour HAZWOPER initial training for workers working with hazardous waste, with an 8-hour annual refresher training to keep knowledge updated. Similarly, the DOT HMR specifies that workers transporting hazmat be trained once every three years.
Even though safety regulations might not expressly mention this, it is important to ensure that safety training is ongoing and that employees are refreshed on the material regularly. This will help to ensure that they remember the information and apply it in the workplace.
Conclusion
In a world where industries are in a constant state of change, occupational safety training is a vital investment in the health and safety of employees. By providing regular and effective safety training, employers can reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities at the workplace while creating a safer work environment for everyone.
From the employee’s standpoint, for those in search of jobs in today’s difficult job market, obtaining safety training as required by OSHA, the DOT, or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) obtaining safety training will enhance your employability. Employers are more likely to hire candidates who possess practical skills and a clear understanding of industry operations.