Work safety training should always be a priority. Sometimes we all need little reminders to stay on top of things, so read on to learn 5 signs that your employees need work safety training. When it comes time to sign up for a course or a refresher, trust the experts at Acute Safety and Safety Services. ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services and consulting – contact us today!
5 Signs Your Employees Need Work Safety Training
Whether you work in an office, on a construction site, or in a retail environment, all employees need some sort of basic work safety training. Here, then, are five signs that training is required and/or in need of an update.
1. Safety equipment not being used
Make sure your employees are always wearing the personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the job at hand.
Safety equipment could be something as small as earplugs, or as large as a chemical suit, but all PPE exists for a reason. Wearing the correct PPE for the job is a simple way to ensure safety. Employers should also make sure everything is readily available to all workers who need it.
In confined spaces, for example, workers may be presented with challenges such as low oxygen levels, limited visibility, exposure to airborne chemicals, and risk of combustion. The right equipment can prevent injury and even death in those scenarios.
If you notice your employees getting lax in using proper equipment, be sure to remind them of the basic principles taught in their work safety training course.
2. Rise in accidents and near misses
Helping to prevent accidents in the workplace should be everyone’s responsibility.
Employees have every day, firsthand perspective on things. The best way to stop unsafe conditions from developing or growing worse is to report them to supervisors as soon as they’re noticed. Supervisors are legally obligated to provide all employees with a safe working environment and should take care of any unsafe conditions, but sometimes they have to be made aware of those conditions to do so.
Noticing a rise in reported accidents or anecdotes of near misses? Action must be taken before the results are catastrophic.
3. Company needs to comply with new regulations
When safety legislation is passed or regulations are updated that affect your business, it’s a clear sign you need to relay that message to your employees and make sure everyone is on the same page.
In 2015, for example, a new look was given to the WHMIS symbols, replacing the old black and white circles with the red, pointed borders. A letter-based classification system with clear and concise descriptions of the hazards they entail was also instituted.
Recent WHMIS changes were quite literally a sign that your employees needed workplace safety training.
4. New process is being implemented
Another sign that your employees need work safety training is a new process is being implemented throughout the company or your particular industry.
We need rules to protect the health and safety of workers, and if something is being changed, it’s important to teach everyone involved how things will now work.
But be sure to remember there are dangers in having either too few or too many rules. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: “Too few rules may be interpreted as a sign that health and safety are not important, or that common sense is all that is required to achieve them. Too many rules may be seen as not treating employees as thinking adults and makes enforcement of all rules less likely.”
Here’s are some guidelines for establishing rules:
- Rules should be specific to health safety concerns in the workplace.
- The joint health and safety committee should participate in their formulation.
- Rules should be stated in clearly understandable terms.
- Rules are best stated in positive terms (“employees shall” not “employees shall not”).
- The reasons for the rule should be explained.
- Rules must be enforceable – since disregard for one rule will lead to a disregard for others.
- Rules should be available to all employees in written form, in the languages of communication of employees.
Rules should be periodically reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness and to make changes for improved effectiveness.
5. Employees are due for refreshers
Hands-on, practical training is the best way to keep employers and workers safe in the workplace.
Courses such as Joint Health and Safety Committees and Worker Health & Safety Awareness help workers learn important legislation and health and safety techniques to keep themselves and others safe.
Refresher courses are also offered for working at heights, confined spaces and HAZWOPER, and it’s important to keep track of when those need to be taken.
For employers in Ontario looking to ensure their employees’ safety training, there are a lot of bases to cover. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or if you are not sure where to begin, be sure to download our free Employee Safety Training Checklist!
Trust ACUTE For Your Work Safety Training!
Why get workplace safety training with ACUTE?
Here are just some of the benefits of working with ACUTE.
- Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership – ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation. Staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice anytime moving forward.
- Serving Your Team and Industry – With a vast array of clients in manufacturing, construction, health, academic, and government sectors, ACUTE brings the best safety practices from across the spectrum to your workplace.
- 100 Years Combined Experience – ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services, and consulting services. With over 100 years of combined experience, our company staff offer more than theoretical or abstract ideas. ACUTE offers solutions.
- Track Record of Success – ACUTE is rated 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, demonstrating a commitment to our clients, quality, and passion for training.
“We have relied on ACUTE for years to train our staff and keep them safe on the job site.”
– Bob, Millwrighting Company
Click here to see what training courses we have at ACUTE or contact us today for quality training in your workplace or on-site at ACUTE’s proven training facilities!
ACUTE is located in Waterloo, Ontario, and services customers from cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Milton, Kitchener, London, Guelph, and others across Ontario.
For all OABA members, please contact the ACUTE office prior to registration.
