Workplace Safety Training: Why Your Company Needs It

Workplace safety training for employees is essential for every company. Through general workplace safety training programs, company management can ensure a safe work environment. It prepares the employees for any hazardous situation and helps them stay as safe and healthy as possible.

Many companies are required to include specific workplace safety training for employees because standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) include very strict safety requirements for their industry. However, even if OSHA doesn’t explicitly require you to include employee safety training, there are still numerous reasons to do so.

In this article, we will talk about workplace safety training, why every company needs it, and cover the best practices for running a program of your own.

What is OSHA Workplace Safety Training?

OSHA standards for various industries contain specific requirements when it comes to employee safety training. Companies in construction, maritime, agriculture, and general industries are required to conduct workplace safety training to make sure their employees are capable of keeping themselves and others safe.

Many workers need an official Department of Labor (DOL) card to stay compliant with OSHA standards, and the only way to get a DOL card is by completing an OSHA outreach training program. It consists of 10-hour and 30-hour courses that provide basic or advanced knowledge and training about workplace safety.

However, many workers don’t need an official DOL card, and all they need for staying compliant with OSHA standards is a proper training program that teaches them how to stay safe while working. Depending on the specific responsibilities of an employee, employers must provide them with training related to their operations on the worksite.

Why do Safety Training?

Staying compliant with safety standards isn’t just about avoiding penalties. Every employee has the right to and should work in a healthy and safe environment. Good employee safety training handouts are of tremendous value for your employees and your company.

Through education and training, you provide your managers and workers with vital information and skills that help them do their jobs safely and be more productive. Another crucial role of a workplace safety education program is to provide employees with a thorough understanding of the program itself and enable them to contribute to its development.

Specialized safety training for employees is vital for your workers and your company, especially when their work involves hazards. Awareness and understanding of workplace hazards, as well as knowing how to spot and control them, will help keep everyone safe.

General Safety Topics

Although OSHA has specific requirements for certain industries, there are some general workplace safety training topics every company should conduct. Here are just several examples:

• Fire Safety: Every new employee safety training covers employee behavior in the case of a fire. Some industries include fire extinguisher usage training for their employers.
• Health Resources: Every employer should clearly outline the available resources for employee mental and physical health and well-being. It’s one of the most proactive steps a company can take. View this post on cost effective wellness programs any business can start.
• Workplace Violence Prevention: According to the FBI, around two million people are victims of workplace violence in the United States every year. Over 80% of all active shooting incidents happen in the workplace.

How to Conduct Training

There are many ways to start an employee safety training program outside of a classroom setting. Worksite demonstration, on-the-job training, peer-to-peer training, safety committees, and online training can be remarkably effective in promoting safe work practices.

Industrial safety training consists of several important steps:

• Provide a program awareness training after you choose a specific safety program. This way, you can include all of your employees in program development.
• Train everyone on their specific roles in the program. From managers to supervisors and workers, everyone should know what to do in a hazardous situation.
• Train workers to identify hazards and train them on how to eliminate danger before a larger-scale incident occurs.

Program Examples

OSHA safety training requirements aren’t the same for every industry. They aren’t even the same for every state. For example, in Florida, Miami-Dade County, all construction employees are required to take OSHA-authorized training prior to employment on any public or private contract that is valued over one million dollars.

Depending on the industry and the specific nature of the employer’s everyday working routine, there are different training programs available. OSHA includes construction, repair and alteration, but also painting and decorating among jobs that require Construction OSHA training. When it comes to General Industry training, it’s required from any industry that doesn’t fall under construction, agriculture, or maritime. This includes industries such as manufacturing, health care, distribution and retail, warehousing, and more.

FFVA Mutual and Safety Training

OSHA continues to update the rules for safe workplace maintenance, and businesses need to make adjustments to their safety policies to stay compliant. Penalties for serious workplace safety and health violations are very high, which gives employers plenty of reasons to continue with improvements.

FFVA Mutual is a leading workers’ compensation insurance carrier licensed in 10 southeastern states. Workplace safety is of utmost priority, which is why we offer in-person and online training events for our policyholders— including OSHA 10-hour training at no cost at all for our agency partners and policyholders. Our personalized programs will help your company remain fully compliant with the newest OSHA standards and improve workplace safety. Contact us today to learn more about our training programs.