723 Conducting OSH Training

Get Ready...

Logistics Before Training

Firm Up the "When"

Determine the day, date, time needed for training (including set-up and tear-down). If you're conducting the training "on-site" at your facility, reserve your training location (room, work area, etc.) a few weeks to a month (or longer) before the training date. Below are things you should consider when setting the date for training.

• Determine which day of the week is going to be best for training. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually best.
• What time of day (or night) is best for training; before the shift, after the shift, or during the shift? If your company runs three shifts, scheduling can be a challenge. Most trainers schedule training between shifts so that some employees get trained after their shift while others get trained before they go to work. I caution you not to conduct safety training after employees have worked through the night. They will be tired, unmotivated, and the drive home could be dangerous.

If you conduct the training off-site, coordinate the training a minimum of two months before the training date. Coordinate the catering for the training session. Don't be surprised if you have to change the training date. The earlier you can get these initial logistics out of the way, the better. Always reconfirm the training date, time, and location one week prior and again on the day before.

Decide Where You Will be Training

Depending on the training, you may not be able to train on-site. (such as rescue-at-height training) How far away is the training, and how long will it take to get there? Make sure you get the correct street address, telephone number and contact person. You may need to make travel arrangements for attendees.

Decide on What Kind of Training is Best for the Subject

Some safety subjects, like confined space entry, might be conducted on-site at the location of the confined spaces you're training employees to enter. You might be able to teach the subject in a classroom and create a "mock" confined space. However, online training would not be the venue of first choice because you can't conduct the "hands-on" portion of the training that's typically required for confined space entry, fall protection, personal protective equipment, electrical safety, etc. Make sure you have the necessary training resources (equipment, devices, and materials) needed for the training.

Determine Who Will be Participating in the Training

Most likely, you will be training new employees and experienced employees. Each category presents its own set of challenges and will determine the type of training presented. What interests new inexperienced employees may be totally boring for the "old heads" in the company.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.