723 Conducting OSH Training

Using Open-Ended Questions in Safety Training

Open-ended questions invite detailed, thoughtful responses, encouraging participants to share experiences, analyze scenarios, or problem-solve. They are essential for fostering discussion and critical thinking in safety training, where real-world application is crucial.

• Purpose: Open-ended questions stimulate deeper engagement, encourage participants to apply safety concepts to their workplace, and reveal diverse perspectives or knowledge gaps.
• Benefits: They promote critical thinking, build a collaborative atmosphere, and help trainers tailor content based on responses. They also make training more interactive and memorable.
• When to Use: Use open-ended questions during discussions, scenario-based activities, or to connect training to participants' real-world experiences, such as identifying workplace hazards.
• Considerations: Allow sufficient time for responses and be prepared to guide the discussion to stay on track. Pair with closed questions for balance.

Examples of Open-Ended Questions:

• "What's one workplace hazard you've encountered, and how did you handle it?"
• "How would you respond if you saw a coworker bypassing a safety protocol, like not wearing PPE?"
• "What steps would you take to assess a confined space before entering?"
• "Why do you think fall protection is critical on construction sites?"
• "What challenges do you face in maintaining proper ergonomics at your desk?"

Example in Action: In a chemical safety session, the trainer asks, "What's one chemical spill incident you've seen, and what could have prevented it?" Participants share stories, sparking a discussion on spill containment protocols, which the trainer uses to introduce best practices.

Balancing Closed and Open-Ended Questions

Combining both question types creates a dynamic training session that balances quick assessments with deeper engagement. For example:

• Start with Closed Questions: Use questions like, "Is a safety harness required above 6 feet?" to confirm baseline knowledge at the start of a fall protection session.
• Transition to Open-Ended Questions: Follow with, "What challenges have you faced using a harness on-site?" to encourage discussion and uncover practical issues.
• Use in Activities: During a hands-on demo, ask a closed question like, "Did I correctly demonstrate the lockout step?" then an open-ended one like, "How would you apply this in your workplace?" to reinforce learning.

Example: In a first-aid training, the trainer asks, "Is the first step in CPR to check for responsiveness?" (closed, confirming knowledge), followed by, "What would you do if the person doesn't respond?" (open-ended, encouraging critical thinking). This sequence ensures understanding and application.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.