Businesses that fail to prioritize worker training face two significant problems: lower-than-expected production from their employees and wages paid for lost time incidents. Through the creation of a comprehensive worker training program, your company can limit its liability, while providing a safer working environment for all of your employees.
A Novel Approach to Worker Training
A proper training program is a three-step process:
1. Verbal
At this stage, you want to focus on what good behaviour should be, and your expectations for worker safety. For example, The Workplace Safety Board of British Columbia recommends you provide employees with a written copy of the safety procedures for your industry, so employees have something to refresh their memories when the training is over.
Keep the conversation open, and allow employees to ask questions and offer suggestions for improving workplace safety. You’ll also want to walk them through safety procedures involving each machine the employees will work with. Supplement this instruction with the safety sheets from Ultra Torq for a more in-depth look at the safety protocol.
2. Observational
When you are done talking about the safety procedures, it’s time to show your workers what you expect. Go over every single step in the process, from how to approach the machine all the way through leaving it for the next person.
The Ultra Torq worker training guide is an invaluable tool that suggests a number of tips to keep employees focused on the training. For example, young employees are likely to see this step as a time to goof off while they are on the clock, so it’s best to go through this stage in very small groups or individually.
3. Practical
The best way to learn is by doing something for yourself. After you’ve explained all of the safety procedures, it’s time for the employees to show you what they’ve learned. Small groups or one-on-one sessions are best, so you can give feedback on improper techniques.
The Ultra Torq guide suggests creating an in-house certification program to ensure employees adhere to your safety expectations. You can use the certification process as a way to reinforce safety procedures on an annual basis, through recertification exams. In addition, you can tie raises and promotions to the successful completion of the program over a number of years.
Get the team working together
Your workers expect a safe working environment, and that only happens when everyone on your team is on the same page. Safety training is not something that you can do just once a year, and expect everyone to understand your policies and procedures.
Update Training Regularly
Ideally, your company should have an orientation course, followed by refresher training every 4-6 months. This keeps safety at the top of mind and reduces the chance that employees will develop poor working habits that you can’t break.
Learn More from the Industrial Experts at Ultra Torq
Ultra Torq’s free online worker training guide will help you establish the training framework that you need by taking you step-by-step through the training process. The guide also includes tips for addressing potential problems young workers, and employees who are new to your industry, have with traditional training programs. With a workforce that is constantly getting younger, this information is critical to the well-being of your business.
For more information about commercial bolting, pipe cutting and beveling tools, contact Ultra Torq and request a demonstration.