Knowledge is power. However nothing is as powerful as preparing employees how to stay safe when working in potentially hazardous conditions. Hundreds of occupations require people to work near or with large, heavy equipment that, if used incorrectly could result in serious injury or worse. Due to OSHA requirements, most employers provide the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for workers at risk of work-related injuries, including eye, head and hand protection. Although these items are vital to establishing a safe workplace, they do not replace the knowledge of how to safely perform hazardous tasks such as using caustic chemicals or operating powerful machinery. Therefore, the training and safety procedures designed to keep workers safe are just as important as any piece of safety gear.

Employees should start on their first day learning about the specific potential hazards of their new position, and how to effectively perform their duties without injuring themselves or others around them. More importantly, qualified trainers should look for the new employee to demonstrate this knowledge consistently before they are left to work independently. As with any teaching situation, training should be designed to accommodate several different learning styles, and should involve hands-on practice of the expected tasks. One common pitfall of employee training programs is the lack of any significant or regular follow-up to assure that the established procedures were understood and are being practiced. It is important to remind yourself that this training is not only a “requirement” but possibly the difference between life or death.

If you are wondering if your company is doing enough to prepare your workforce to work safely and effectively, there’s a good chance that you aren’t. There are several organizations dedicated to employee safety, with the most prominent and recognizable being OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These organizations not only have formal training programs available, but also a wealth of resources to be used in conjunction with your existing programs to help increase their effectiveness. You can also contact the manufacturers and distributors of the chemicals and equipment being used to arrange training and re-training on their products. It is in the best interest of the employer, employee and the companies providing these potentially harmful products that each worker is best equipped (both literally and figuratively) to perform their daily tasks without incident.

Although people work to make money, nothing is worth personal injury to an individual. As long as companies prepare their employees to be safe in the work environment mentally as well as physically, a mutually beneficial relationship can occur.