Why is Safety Training Important?
On-the-job injuries and fatalities cost businesses billions of dollars every year. In fact, research from Liberty Mutual Insurance found that disabling, nonfatal workplace injuries amounted to nearly $62 billion in direct U.S. worker’s compensation costs-which translates to more than a billion dollars a week spent on these injuries.
Furthermore, the research report states that the top causes of workplace injuries include:
- Overexertion involving outside source
- Falls on same level
- Falls to lower level
- Struck by Object or Equipment
- Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle
- Repetitive Motions Involving micro-tasks
Injuries aren’t the only thing that happens-workplace fatalities are also a reality. According to OSHA, some of the most common causes of workplace fatalities in 2014 include:
- Roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicle
- Falls to lower level
- Struck by object or equipment
- Roadway collision with other vehicle
- Homicides/Intentional injury by other person
To help prevent workplace injuries and fatalities, employers are required to follow OHSA guidelines that stipulate they must act responsibly and provide employees with a safe and healthful workplace-which includes delivering safety training.
The Houston Chronicle shares this sentiment: “Without an understanding of safety practices related to her job, a worker will be at a higher risk for workplace injury, illness or death.”
However, a study from the Institute for Work and Health discovered that only one in five Canadians say they received safety training within their first year at a new job. And that the workers associated with higher injury rates-younger employees and those with physically demanding jobs-weren’t any more likely to receive training.
It’s clear that to protect workers-and your business-it’s essential to provide workplace safety training.
Who Needs Workplace Safety Training?
The Department of Labor (DOL) recommends training a wide range of employees: new hires, contract workers, employees who wear personal protective equipment, and workers in high-risk areas.
The DOL also states that it’s especially essential for managers and supervisors to receive training. Furthermore, long-term workers whose job goes through significant procedure changes should be retrained. And finally, all employees in the company should be periodically trained on how to respond to emergencies.
Making the case for training new employees right away, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) asserts that every employee should be informed about the potential hazards at their workplace and taught how to properly navigate those hazards before they are exposed to them. ISRI stresses that training employees right away is extremely important to reducing accidents.
What Topics Should Safety Training Cover?
Depending on your industry there are a wide variety of topics that workplace safety training should cover. Some of the most popular include:
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Hazard communication
- Defensive driving
- Slips, trips and falls
- Fire prevention
- Ergonomics
- Workplace bullying prevention
Courses that cover these topics will provide a solid foundation. It’s also important to make sure your company is following any federal, state or local laws regarding training topics.
And on top of having employees take the training courses, it’s important to create a culture of safety. This means making it clear that above all, safety is a number one priority at your company.
Key Takeaways
Workplace accidents cost companies billions of dollars every year in workers’ compensation claims, but-more importantly-they also employees their lives. To prevent injuries and keep your company’s employees safe, it’s important to provide workplace safety training to all employees-especially those at a high risk for injury.
Our workplace safety training courses cover a wide variety of topics. To learn more about how we can help you create a culture of safety at your workplace, schedule a demo today.