Employee safety training is a critical aspect in any industry. There are essential workplace safety precautions every worker should be aware of to stay safe. Every employer must include such training to keep workers and customers safe.
The Osha safety training is as good as the materials used in any typical workplace. A workplace training program should ensure everyone, from managers to employees, is held accountable to the same safety standards.
Here are six critical topics every employer should implement in their training program to encourage a safe working environment.
- Fire Safety
Fire safety is a vital Osha safety training requirement for employees in any industry. Employees should know how to act in the event of a fire. While they may not be required to fight the fire, they should be informed on safety precautions to take and how to report it. Most industries train staff on how to use simple fire extinguishers.
2. Environmental Safety
When talking about environmental safety, topics of interest include;
- safe lifting
- Electrical safety
- waste disposal
- Material storage, and general safety.
If your company deals with lots of hazardous material, it’s very crucial that you train your workers on environmental safety.
Every employee should be well equipped on how to deal with biohazard and hazardous waste.
3. Workplace Violence
Research has it that 74% of domestic violence originates from workplaces. The Federal Bureau of Investigation approximates two million workplace violence victims in the U.S. It’s so unfortunate that women are the greatest target of this violence.
Osha safety training recommends that every employer includes strategies for preventing workplace violence. It includes identifying risk factors and signs of workplace violence. You can save your workers’ life through this.
4. Equipment Safety
Different industries require job-specific skills to handle various equipment. You should offer this Osha safety training on equipment to all workers despite their expertise and experience. Employees need to know the dynamics of every machinery and its safety features.
While this depends on the specific industry, your employees have the right to understand whatever machinery they will be in contact with. When working in dangerous areas, they need to have full personal protective equipment.
5. Cyber Security
In this modern world, most of our lives revolve online. Like health and physical safety, online safety is also an essential aspect of any training program in a workplace.
This step ensures your company, employees, and clients are protected through safety practices when using the web. While sensitive information will be protected, workers will know how to use passwords and verification processes.
6. Workplace Ergonomics
Most people believe that working in an office has fewer risks than working out in the field. While this is true, ergonomic workplace injuries are bound to happen and may cost your company a lot, especially on output and compensation claims.
OSHA estimates that these kinds of injuries cost around 50 billion dollars every year. They estimate common injuries and theirs costs per person as follows;
- Strain: $32,319
- Inflammation: $32,080
- Sprain: $28,338
- Hernia: $23,083
It is therefore essential that you invest in workplace ergonomic training to increase your productivity. Teach workers the best sitting and lifting positions as well as how to keep fit throughout the day. This will significantly reduce the sick off days they take.
Besides physical health, mental health is also very critical. Consider creating a working mental health support policy to help workers well-being. A mental health department will also go a long way in supporting mentally affected individuals and reducing stress.
If your value your workers, they’ll be more productive and work for you long term.
7. Emergency Exits
The number one rule in any workplace should be never to leave items lying on emergency exits. While this may sound simple, you’ll be surprised by how many trolley carts and ladders you can see in critical emergency exits.
Employees should be taught how to use these exits for their safety. They should be marked well and easily accessible from any point.
While employees should understand and do their best to implement safety practices at their workplaces, the top management should give their workers the needed training to reduce possible risks.
Conclusion
When providing safety training to your staff, you should understand their needs and tailor them according to their prior knowledge. The above points are only general safety concerns for every industry. Osha safety training will guide you on industry-specific training for your employees. Safety training doesn’t have to be cumbersome, but just precise and valuable.