{"id":15660,"date":"2022-10-06T09:53:36","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T16:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/?p=15660"},"modified":"2024-04-02T10:09:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T17:09:26","slug":"how-to-improve-your-safety-training-talks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecity.com\/blog\/how-to-improve-your-safety-training-talks\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve Your Safety Training Talks\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two commonly held misconceptions among workers that impede the effectiveness of safety training talks are \u201cIt won\u2019t happen to me\u201d and \u201cI already know this stuff\u201d. Those underlying beliefs are both misguided and potentially dangerous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (<\/span>NIOSH<\/span><\/a>), An estimated 1.8 million workers sustained work-related injuries and were treated in emergency departments during 2020. The U.S. <\/span>Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a> also reports 4,764 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States during that same time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, statistics alone do not have much impact on workplace safety habits, so it\u2019s up to employers \u2013 typically, HR departments \u2013 to plan and provide effective safety and compliance training<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Diverse<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Improve Your Safety Training Talks<\/b><\/h2>\n

Besides giving workers frequent verbal and visual reminders about the importance of workplace safety, brief monthly meetings can be used to discuss personal protection equipment (PPE), safety procedures, and OSHA requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety training talks should also bring up risky work practices and conditions that were actually observed by supervisors, safety inspectors, and coworkers. A job hazard analysis can also be performed to pinpoint specific risk factors that need to be addressed. Adopting a \u201ccontinuous improvement\u201d attitude toward safety issues, rather than a finger-pointing approach, can help keep safety training talks positive rather than judgmental.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The overriding message to get across to employees is that safety is a top priority that needs to be taken seriously. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important for presenters \u2013 whether a supervisor or foreman \u2013 to be aware of the example they set through their actions, words, and non-verbal communication. Regardless of how informative a safety presentation may be, if it\u2019s delivered in a lethargic or disinterested way, workers will not pay attention or take it seriously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An article in the <\/span>New York Times<\/span><\/a> explains why: \u201cAlbert Mehrabian, a pioneer researcher of body language in the 1950s, found that the total impact of a message is about 7% verbal (words only) and 38% vocal (including tone of voice, inflection, and other sounds) and 55% nonverbal.\u201d What that boils down to is that the <\/span>way<\/span><\/i> information is presented has much more impact on listeners than the actual words that are spoken.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an example, if a trainer approaches safety training talks with a \u201cLet\u2019s get this over with\u201d attitude, then workers will tune out the message and dismiss the information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A similar turn-off for employees is when the safety talk consists of someone reading aloud from a list of safety rules, hazard warnings, or statistical reports. Unless safety training talks are personalized, planned, and presented with conviction, these vital messages will fall on deaf ears.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to improve safety talks is by keeping distractions to a minimum. While it sometimes may be challenging to find the ideal environment for a safety discussion, a busy, noisy work site is not conducive to holding workers\u2019 attention. If that\u2019s the only option \u2013 which occasionally may happen \u2013 then supplementing on-site talks with easy-to-read printed handouts will help focus attention on crucial instructions and safety notices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Email alerts sent out the day before and text message reminders from supervisors are other methods of raising awareness about safety procedures, equipment, and precautions. Video conferencing and the use of video tutorials can also be an effective way of sharing crucial safety information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety Training Tips\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The primary thing to bear in mind when presenting safety training talks is to keep them brief, relevant, and interactive. Visual demonstrations, the use of props, video tutorials, and employee participation can help keep the safety talk relatable and interesting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that training programs be accurate, credible, clear, and practical. The federal agency notes that, \u201c<\/span>If the material is only<\/span> understandable to someone with a college education or someone who understands<\/span> the jargon, then the program falls short of<\/span> meeting workers\u2019 needs.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding training material, an <\/span>OSHA publication<\/span><\/a> reminds trainers to make sure readability and language<\/span> choices match the intended audience. It also emphasizes the value of repetition in safety training talks: \u201cAdults learn best when new information<\/span> is reinforced and repeated. They need<\/span> time to master new knowledge, skills, and<\/span> attitudes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The OSHA training manual highlights the following adult education principles, which tie in with the idea of making training talks participatory and interactive:<\/span><\/p>\n