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Conducting Workplace
Safety Training

One of the tools we use to keep safety in the minds of employees is the safety meeting.  These can be short "toolbox" safety talks at the workstation or a formal classroom training session.  Whatever the format, you as a supervisor can set a positive tone by your participation and presentation.
 

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Training Session Tips

Be prepared. Know your subject by reading, talking to subject matter experts, or have documentation available so that you can answer questions intelligently.

Confirm the number of employees who plan to attend the day before and make the appropriate number of copies of handouts, tests, or other material needed for the class. Make a few extra copies.

Schedule training in the morning when people are most alert.

Equipment. Make sure you know how to use any video equipment or that someone else is available to do so.

Assemble any equipment-audiovisuals, samples of PPE, handouts, etc.-in advance.

Report to the training site an hour before-if audiovisual, overhead, or computer equipment is being used. A half an hour before-if no equipment is being used.

Setup and test all equipment before you begin the training. Que the VCR tape. Have the screen down for overheads or movies. Test your slide show.

Establish a table area for training materials. Be comfortable with the arrangement of your resources.

Rehearse your training. Tape record the training then listen to yourself objectively. Determine how long the training will last and try to stick to that timeframe.

Let 'em know! Send or Post a reminder the day before, telling employees where and when the training will be held.

Practice your presentation the night before. Rehearse the sequence. Research and know your topic.

Be enthusiastic! Put some feeling into it. If you feel it, they will learn it.

Testing your audience at the beginning of the class is a good way to see how much they know, then you know what areas need more emphasis. If time is limited, asking questions aloud and asking for a show of hands is a good way to test individuals.

Pass out an outline of the events or topics. Stick to the sequence. Don’t read from the text. Use index cards, speaker notes or an outline.

Encourage hands-on participation. Bring samples of the PPE, MSDS, Warning labels, etc.

Keep eye contact with all of your audience. Focus the training on participants’ jobs; make sure it relates to the work they do.

Test your audience after each class to see what they have learned. The test may be in the form of a written quiz or asking individuals to show you what they’ve learned.

Effective Safety Training Meetings

Effective safety meetings are the result of good preparation and practice.   Knowing your audience also leads to a successful meeting.

Purpose of Meetings

  • encourage awarenss
  • promote participation
  • provide motivation
  • introduce new procedures
  • reinforce existing policies

Pre-Planning Whether a formal or informal meeting, being well prepared with an understanding of the topic will ensure that the training session time is not wasted. If you find yourself simply reading the material, you will probably loose their attention very quickly

Personalize It!  If you want others to use the training you provide you must make it applicable to their situation and job conditions.  Use examples from day to day operations.

Show & Tell.  If the topic includes use of equipment such as locks, tags, safety glasses or tools, use these as props to show their proper use and the hazards of misuse.

Use Audience Knowledge.   Many employees you will be teaching have years of experience.  Keep them from getting bored by using active techniques such as, "John, tells us about the time.....".

Keep it Short.  Most safety meeting topics can be completed in 15 to 20 minutes.  Don't try to fill the time time.

Nuts & Bolts.  Use a basic outline to keep your session flowing.  An outline need only be reminder points to ensure you have covered all required areas.  This will also help with a smooth opening and closing.

  • Introduce yourself

  • Introduce the topic

  • Present your facts

  • Discuss the applicable hazards

  • Discuss hazard control

  • Demonstrate the "How To"

  • Ask questions during session

  • Ask "What if...."

  • Start a discussion

  • Summarize key points

Check Your Attitude! People will quickly pick up on the fact if you are just going through the motions because management says you must have a safety meeting.   They will have less respect for you if you do not control the session as they know you should.  Be positive, be animated.... allow your professional approach to catch on with others.