Whatever sort of business you are in; there is always the possibility of an accident or damage to someone's health as all work exposes people to hazards. Training is an essential tool which can be used to fight, prevent and reduce occupational incidence and injuries.
There are so many reasons why determining the need for training is important. Below I will list the top 10 amongst the many.
Training is essential to reduce risks and chances of occupational injuries for employees. Employees often tend to injure themselves or escalate some fatalities due to ignorance or lack of proper knowledge. Employers should ensure that their employees are trained and equipped with skills that would help them safeguard their own lives even if safety representatives are supposed to do so. This would ensure that cases of incidents are as far as possible reduced.
Employees should have safety representatives for their employees who are adequately trained so that they perform effective. Training of these persons is must because employers are obliged to meet their legal duty of protecting the health and safety of employees which is demanded by the law. Attention to the health and safety of employees is not just about being socially responsible. It also makes good business sense and employers should regard it as just as important as the achievement of any other key business objective.
An incident or fatality at work comes with a huge cost tag for employers. Employers have to find themselves with piles of medical bills, workers' compensation claims, legal liability, just to mention but a few. Constant training of employees and their safety representatives could reduce a number of incidents, injuries and deaths hence; save employers a lot of money and headaches. An effective safety training program can also help a trainer keep the required OHS-mandated safety training courses organized and up-to-date.
Constant training means more knowledge, skill and experience, which becomes an advantage when one is looking for employment. What makes someone more employable and valued is their experience gained through job training & consolidation and non-formal training in the form of 'continuous professional development' (CPD). CPD is evidence that not just training is a need but constant training is.
Incidents could be extensive to an extent that property is demolished and employers could find themselves on the losing side. Demolition of property has a negative impact as production time could be lost and constant incidence could demotivate employees at they will feel insecure at work. Training would reduce cases of incidents as employees would be equipped with skills as to how to respond or act in case of emergencies to reduce further damages.
Training is an essential need as it develops a positive health and safety culture, where safe and healthy working becomes second nature to everyone. Safety training classes help establish a safety culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees are properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety as it is easy for seasoned workers to negatively influence the new hires. Training will contribute towards making your employees competent in health and safety. When the employers take proper initiatives to ensure the health and safety of the staff, it will involuntarily boost their morale and thereby increase their productivity. It also reduces unexpected fatal and no-fatal accidents, as well as the compensations and other expenses related to such accidents at workplace.
Technology is fast changing that most people can't keep up. The same applies to work places where structure, machinery, equipment is modified and improved every day. Therefore, training is a need for employees so that they are constantly updated on the use and handling of any advancement that has arrived in the workplace.
Laws, legislations and regulations are improved, revised and repealed constantly. It is essential that health and safety reps are well informed or are constantly updated on the changes so that they perform their duties accordingly. This emphasises the need for regular training as safety is never enough.
Fire is a common hazard in many workplaces. Employees could find themselves in a dangerous situation when a fire occurs. However, once-off training on fire-fighting and prevention is not enough to ensure maximum safety. Employees should constantly be sent for training in this field so as to ensure that knowledge is always new and right on their fingerprints and they do not need to struggle to apply it. A slight mistake could be the thin between life and death when an employee is no longer sure what action to take. In an emergency one need to act fast and correctly.
Training also plays a role of integrating people from different industries so that they can share experiences and challenges they have been facing. This information could be vital for the next person when implementing their duties.
Training will never be declared in enough as safety is never is enough. Training is a life time process and a vital need.
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