Books : Assessing Safety and Health Management Programs : Training

Safety and Health Training

Employees

Supervisors

Managers

For an effective safety and health program, it is crucial that everyone at the workplace understand his/her role in the program, actively work to prevent and/or control hazards and potential hazards at the worksite, and the ways they should protect themselves should a hazard occur. A good safety and health program is achievable if the following understand their roles and responsibilities within their group:

Employees are trained to understand the hazards of their jobs and how to protect themselves.

Supervisors understand their safety responsibilities; understand how to reinforce and enforce employee training.

Managers understand their own responsibilities regarding training.

D1
SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING

For an effective safety and health program, it is crucial that everyone at the workplace understand his/her role in the program, actively work to prevent and/or control hazards and potential hazards at the worksite, and the ways they should protect themselves should a hazard occur. A good safety and health program is achievable if everyone understands their roles and responsibilities within their group.

Employees

Each employee should understand how important they are to the overall picture of safety and health, not only for their well-being, but for every worker involved. Training is especially important for new employees. However, periodic retraining of all employees is also essential. The employees need to know the general safety and health rules, specific site hazards and the safe work practices that are used to control exposure, and the role they are to play in an emergency situation.

Supervisors

Supervisors should be given training both in the safety and health area and in the leadership area. The supervisor needs to be tuned in to the worksite and the potentials for hazards occurring in their areas. Supervisors need special training in the maintenance of their areas, as well as how to get their employees involved in hazards control.

Managers

It is necessary for the manager to have a good system of communication to the workers who are in his or her department. The manager must also understand what his or her role in the safety and health program is, and set the leadership example for others to follow. The employer should do whatever it takes to help raise the level of awareness of the managers at the worksite and offsite.

DO:

Identify training needs and objectives specific to your company.

Involve employees in identifying training needs and when possible use them as trainers.

Create a safety bulletin board as an aid in training and charge an employee with responsibility for its maintenance.

Establish a training budget.

Provide training for supervisory and managerial personnel (i.e. leadership, hazard identification, accident investigation, training methods).

Establish an orientation program for new hires. At a minimum, employees must know the general safety and health rules, specific site hazards and the safe work practices needed to help control exposure, and the individual's role in all types of emergency situations.

Evaluate training on a regular basis.

Establish and maintain training records.

General Training - Employee, Supervisory, Managerial

KEY QUESTIONS	Maximum Points	Assigned Points
Has an inventory been made of all jobs to determine those with high loss potential requiring special training?	1
Are training needs assessed routinely and provided for in the budget?	1
Are employees involved in training (identifying needs as well as actual trainers)?	1
Are training responsibilities assigned?	1
Does the training provide understanding and knowledge of the hazards of the task(s) to be performed?	1
Does the training program provide training for new hires and for retraining of present employees?	1
Are trainers knowledgeable on the subject matter and in training methods?	1
Are training records maintained?	1
TOTAL POINTS	8

Employee Training

KEY QUESTIONS	Maximum Points	Assigned Points
Is there a training or orientation program for new hires?	1
Are employees instructed in how and when to report injuries, including instructions as to the location of first aid facilities?	1
Are employees instructed in how to report unsafe conditions and practices?	1
Are employees instructed in the need for, use and care of required personal protective equipment?	1
Are employees instructed in the proper actions to take in the event of emergencies, including exit routes from areas during emergencies?	1
Are employees instructed in hazardous gases, chemicals or materials involved with the job, along with instructions on the safe use and action to be taken following accidental exposure?	1
Are employees given an on-the job review of the practices necessary to perform the job in a safe manner?	1
TOTAL POINTS	7

Supervisory and Managerial Training

KEY QUESTIONS	Maximum Points	Assigned Points
Is there an orientation program for new management members regarding your safety and health program?	1
Are supervisors and management personnel given initial training in safety and health?	1
Are supervisory and managerial personnel provided training in their leadership roles?	1
Are supervisory and managerial personnel provided instruction in training methods?	1
Is a portion of each safety meeting devoted to safety instructions?	1
TOTAL POINTS	5

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