Introduction
Did you know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHS) has over 20 standards of mandatory annual training for employees exposed to various workplace hazards? From bloodborne pathogens to ergonomics and everything in between, these standards ensure workplace safety remains a top priority for a reason.
While requiring employees to take same training courses annually may seem tedious, the benefits cannot be overstated and can potentially be a case of life or death but how can we keep this training engaging, interesting and memorable? Let’s look at the why, what, and how to keep your annual safety training informative and interesting.
Why is Refresher Training Necessary?
OSHA exists to protect employees from workplace hazards. Its standards ensure that employees know how to handle potentially dangerous situations safely. This is why it mandates that employees take training from time to time to ensure the safety and health of employees in various industries.
What is the Problem with Refresher Training?
Refresher training is intended to close gaps in knowledge, keep training updated, and refresh individuals’ memories about what they’ve already learned. However, sitting through the same training courses year after year can really get boring. Wearisome repetition and lack of variety often lead to disengagement and a less than memorable reminder of the importance of keeping the workplace environment safe.
How to Keep Mandatory Refresher Training Engaging and Interesting?
There are things you can do to keep your company’s annual safety training interesting. Below are some ideas you can use to keep this training memorable and effective, turning the mundane into a positive learning experience.
Ask For Input
How would your employees like to handle mandatory refresher training? Get some ideas from them. After you gather input, try to incorporate it into the training program, making a good effort to respond to the concerns of your workforce. Show that you care about delivering a better training experience. For instance, some people may want to complete their refresher training during a break in their day or on their own time. Other employees might feel better in a group setting where they can discuss specific hazards and ask questions. Possibly a mix between safety topics would be more suitable for a group or individuals. No matter what, it is important to consider what your employees want. After all, they are the ones who need to learn the material.
Keep It Fresh
Offering the same training courses dealing with the same topics, time and time again, gets repetitive. It increases the likelihood of employees zoning out and not absorbing the material. Having multiple versions of training courses that cover the same topic keeps things interesting. When training materials are repeated each year, information can end up going in one ear and out the other. On the other hand, fresh content fosters greater attention span and increased retention of the material presented.
Personalize Your Training
Training materials tailored to each employee’s specific needs and requirements can make the learning experience more enjoyable and valuable. Customized training programs can be designed based on job roles, work environments, and potential hazards. When employees feel the training is relevant to their job and it addresses their concerns, they are more likely to engage better and actively participate in the training.
Provide Relevant Examples
Real life examples of situations where safety measures are implemented, or overlooked can be more engaging than presenting a wall of text. Relatable examples help employees understand the importance of safety protocols and how to apply them in their work environment. Additionally, by presenting real case scenarios of how not following safety guidelines resulted in injuries or fatalities employees see firsthand the cost of not taking training more seriously.
Use Shorter Presentations
Long training courses can be tiring and make it hard for employees to stay focused and connected with the content. Breaking down the training modules into smaller sessions of 15-30 minutes can help maintain employee engagement. These smaller modules can be delivered online or in person. Employees will be able to complete the training at their own pace or as a group, increasing their understanding and motivation to learn more.
In Summary
Mandatory refresher training doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest. By adjusting your training presentations to the needs of your employees, you can transform dull training sessions into engaging learning experiences that empower employees to stay safe on the job. Remember, the next time you’re dreading another round of safety training, occasionally mix things up a bit. With the right approach, learning can actually be informative and fun.