Safety Means Training

Unsafe employee acts, not unsafe physical conditions, account for the majority of all accidents. Employee training is critical in a successful loss control program. Proper training will, in turn, positively affect attitudes which can lead to positive changes in employee behaviour.

Employee training should begin with a formal orientation within the first week of employment. This would include an explanation of their assignment and review of safety rules relating to lifting, use of personal protective equipment, etc. The experienced employee presents a different problem because he or she may have developed potentially dangerous shortcuts. The key here is informal on-the-job contacts by the supervisor.

The essential points to remember in employee training are:

• The supervisors may not be as knowledgeable of the loss control aspects as they are of the technical aspects of their jobs. Before establishing training objectives, ensure that each supervisor is familiar with the loss control objectives.
• Structure loss control training in terms that directly relate to quality control and cost control as well as employee safety.
• Encourage active supervisory participation in employee on-the-job training. Also encourage their ideas on improving the program.
• Training must include feedback. You should go back on a regular basis to see if the training is achieving desired results.

You should view training at two distinct levels:

• Training of supervisors (via formal and informal meetings) and inspections by management.
• On-the-job training of employees by supervisors.

For initial "kickoff" meeting, we suggest attendance only by the supervisors with the following format:

• Introduction of the safety program from management
• Discussion of accident investigation techniques
• Review of safety rules

Encourage your employees to learn more about employee safety.