Employees will be more likely to pay attention during training and to use what they learn back on the job when your organization follows these tips:
 |
- Get management buy-in. If management’s attitude toward training is that it’s an expensive nuisance, something the company is doing only because the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for example, requires it, employees are going to get the impression that they don’t have to pay attention during training and that they don’t have to apply what they learn afterward.
- Consistently enforce and reinforce safety rules. During training, clearly define safety rules and policies, and explain the ramifications of—and consequences for—not following them. When you are training managers and supervisors, ensure they understand that if they are lax about enforcing safety rules, their subordinates are going to think it’s OK to break the rules.
- Encourage employees to take ownership in safety. Invite employees to serve on safety committees and incident investigation teams. Ask experienced employees to help with safety training by, for example, performing demonstrations in safety meetings or helping with the safety orientation of new employees.