On-the-Job Safety Training Programs

Safety risks can be avoided with effective training programs.

On-the-job safety training programs can provide the most direct, focused and useful training to employees, both new and experienced. On-the-job training offers a more interactive teaching method incorporating various learning styles, resulting in better information retention and a deeper understanding of the risks involved in a particular occupation or task.

Development

Creation of an on-the-job safety program begins with performing evaluations of the various job positions in the organization. This evaluation, called a job safety analysis (JSA), examines the individual tasks required for each job and the safety risk for each task. An audit of safety incidents and prior injuries can assist in identifying high-risk jobs and tasks. On-the-job safety training should focus particularly on recognition and mitigation of these tasks.

Uses

On-the-job safety training is useful for any position that requires Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversight or falls under OSHA regulations but can also be helpful for any occupation with inherent risk. As most jobs contain some level of risk, it is beneficial for all employers to do a JSA on employee roles and to develop a safety training program to prevent injuries and near misses.

Types

Several methods of on-the-job safety training exist, including online, classroom and field training. The most effective training methods are those that integrate multiple methods, particularly either an online or classroom component, in combination with field training. Online training, while offering consistency, frequently lacks the interactive component that allows trainees to ask questions as they arise. Classroom training allows for questions but may not provide dependable consistency. Both of these generally do not serve kinesthetic learners--those who learn by doing, who are best taught via field training.

Delivery

The delivery of on-the-job training should be performed by an instructor who is comfortable in a training role, for example, speaking to groups and answering questions. This person must also possess in-depth, practical knowledge of, and experience with, the safety risks inherent in a task or occupation. The instructor should explain the risks, any previous safety violations and ways to avoid or lower the risk intrinsic to the job. Safety training should take place before the employee begins the job.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of any safety training program is tied directly with the safety records of the employer. If a proper JSA has shown the potential for risk in a certain job, or injuries have occurred there before, training should focus specifically on how injuries may occur or have occurred in the past. Effectiveness of this training is then measured by the reduction or elimination of injuries or near misses on the same process. Employees simply enjoying the training does not prove efficacy, which can only be measured by future safety records. Training should be frequently revisited to ensure continued effectiveness.

References

• Wisconsin Department of Administration: Steps of Developing an Effective Safety Training Process