Workplace accidents are more common than you’d imagine. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), private industry employers recently reported 2.6 million (yep, million) nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the span of just a single calendar year. This clarifies that safety and compliance training in modern workplaces is non-negotiable. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss safety and compliance training for the modern frontline workplace, explain why it matters, and show how using practical tools and resources can improve safety outcomes in your organization. 

What is safety and compliance training?

Safety and compliance training refers to educational programs that help frontline employees follow safety regulations and ensure a safe working environment.

These include any and all safety-related educational attempts, from safety orientation videos to safety compliance courses or even the employee safety posters you hang on your company’s soft boards. The most common focus areas for frontline employee workplace safety and compliance training include:

1. Hazard communication: Focused on potential hazards and how to mitigate them. For example, things that could go wrong while decanting a tank lorry at a fuel station, and how to prevent that. 
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE): Focused on how to wear, maintain, and replace PPE. For example, wearing PPE in manufacturing setups. 
3. Emergency response protocols: Focused on preparing workers for fire drills evacuations, and handling accidents safely—basically, stuff like how to evacuate in case of a fire.

While these are the key elements of workplace safety training, not all safety and compliance training is created equal. Different industries and sectors have different types of safety training. 

3 types of safety and compliance training programs

Safety and compliance training programs can be broken into three main categories:

1. Workplace-specific training
   
   These refer to tailor-made safety training programs designed to address the unique risks of specific industries. For instance, workplace-specific training in a transportation company could focus on driving protocols, loading safely, or conducting vehicle inspections efficiently.
   
   

2. General Safety training
   
   These refer to universal safety and well-being training programs that are applicable to all workplaces. What we mean is they are as relevant in retail or financial services as in a quick-service restaurant or factory floor.
   
   For example, fire safety training that spotlights procedures for evacuation and fire extinguisher usage, or the first aid training that imparts basic life-saving techniques, such as CPR.
   
   

3. Sector-specific programs
   
   Sector specific safety training focuses on sector-specific risks and is usually tailored to the unique nuances of the industry as a whole. For example, safety training for the construction sector could cover topics such as fall prevention, scaffold safety, and electrical hazard management. These are as relevant to the supervisor as to the construction worker. 

Why is safety and compliance training important?

Safety and compliance training may feel like they’re best reserved as optional activities when there’s a ton of time. However, it’s essential to note they’re a must, and you cannot afford to skip it because of two main reasons.

1. Legal requirements and certifications
   
   Safety and compliance training is a legal mandate for many organizations. Failure to comply with the training requirements can result in penal action, such as fines and lawsuits, which you definitely don’t want. For instance, laws like OSHA regulations require specific industries to conduct safety training drives at specified intervals to meet compliance needs.
   
   
2. Benefits for employees and the company
   
   Providing proper safety training to employees unlocks a host of benefits for employees and also the organization as a whole. These include:
   
   

• Reduced workplace accidents: Increased awareness about safety protocols reduces the probability of workplace accidents. Statistically, companies with effective workplace safety management systems reduce workplace injuries by as much as 40%.
  
  
• Improved employee confidence: Workers trained in safety protocols feel more secure and confident in their roles. This translates into improved employee performance and satisfaction and also reduces turnover.
  
  
• Cost savings: Organizations with robust safety training programs are better positioned to reduce liability claims and insurance premiums. These savings contribute to the bottom line in the long run.

Tools and resources for effective training

There are a bunch of tools that are popular these days to make safety training engaging and sticky. These include: 

1. Digital platforms
   
   Online platforms are super handy for streamlining learning. For instance, you can use your employee app to improve safety by helping employees to learn safety protocols at their own pace and from a location of choice with consistent delivery across the board. This is especially important for frontline workers working different shifts in various locations.
   
   
2. Visual aids
   
   Humans are visual beings. Integrating visual elements like safety posters or signage into workspaces makes learning stick. It’s an easy intervention that works as an excellent reminder of safety best practices and emergency protocols.
   
   
3. Interactive methods
   
   Lately, interactive training, including simulation exercises and hands-on activities, is turning popular. These interactive methods mimic real-world scenarios. These methods replicate real-world scenarios, giving employees the confidence and skills they need to handle similar situations effectively in real life.

How Speakap supports safety and compliance training

At Speakap, we’re all about making safety training more accessible, effective, and real-time for everyone including the frontline workers. Here’s how we help organizations stay compliant and keep their workers safe:

1. Centralize safety communication and ensure it’s accessible without digging around 
2. Send real-time safety updates without breaking a sweat
3. Distribute health and well-being resources that actually get read
4. Create customized safety and compliance campaigns to address your specific risks

While using tools really helps, it’s good to keep the following best practices in mind. 

4 best practices for implementing safety and compliance training

1. Tailor safety training as per risks.
   
   Explore your workplace's unique risks. These could include anything from heavy machinery or hazardous materials to high mobility. Accordingly, adjust your safety training to ensure you cover those areas.
   
   
2. Work on the engagement factor.
   
   Your safety and compliance training will be effective only if people connect with what you’re saying and it sticks. So, ensure your content is engaging and memorable. Get creative; use visuals, videos and other interactive materials to enhance the safety training material.
   
   
3. Update material regularly for relevance.
   
   Compliance standards change regularly. You definitely don’t want to share outdated training with your employees. So, be relevant by periodically updating your safety training program to meet the evolving legal requirements and industry best practices.
   
   
4. Evaluate effectiveness and improvise.

Last but not least, examine your safety training efficacy at regular intervals. Study incident reports or gather employee feedback using surveys to ensure your safety programs meet expectations. 

Ready to foster a culture of safety?

Safety and compliance training isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s a way to protect your employees, organization, and the bottom line. If you haven’t been reviewing your safety training programs lately, now is the time. Start by assessing your training material, leveraging the right technology and tools to distribute it, and ensuring everyone has the knowledge they need to stay safe.

Looking for the best tool to integrate safety and compliance training into your workflows? You know where to find us ;-) 

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