Manufacturing jobs have the highest rate of workplace injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are 2.6 million nonfatal workplace accidents and injuries in the United States each year.
Why are there so many injuries?
Every manufacturer must have a safety program that includes someone who gives safety training.
The point of safety training is to help employees avoid injuries.
Assuming safe working conditions and frequent safety audits, safety training isn’t doing its share in stopping workplace accidents and injuries.
There must be something wrong with the training.
Either:
- The training materials are not up to date.
- The training is poorly designed.
- The trainer doesn’t know how to train.
- The trainer doesn’t know how to engage participation.
Let me be clear. It is not my intention to blame safety trainers. I’m sure they’re doing the best they can.
The problem is that safety trainers are often accidental trainers- high performers who are pushed into the role of trainer without preparation.
Because accidental trainers lack training as trainers, they may:
- Take the materials they are given
- Read them out loud to the employees
- Bore the employees into inattention
If safety is important- and it is, then why is the responsibility for safety training frequently given to employees who don’t know how to train?
It’s time that manufacturing companies recognize the impact that effective (and ineffective) safety training can have on workplace injuries.
Train the accidental trainers into professional trainers who can:
- Design and deliver engaging participatory training.
- Keep employees interested and alert.
- Help employees learn and demonstrate safe procedures.
- Increase the probability that employees will follow those safe procedures.
Poor safety training isn’t the only contributing factor to workplace injuries, but engaging and participatory safety training conducted by a professional trainer can help to reduce the number of injuries.
P.S. Do you agree with my conclusions?
May your learning be sweet.
Deborah
