The blind spots in your OHS compliance training

While every organisation has a legal and moral obligation to prioritise occupational health and safety (OHS) for employees, not every organisation achieves this goal. This is often due to common, yet rectifiable, gaps that can otherwise compromise worker safety. 

SafetyCloud, which runs the sought-after NOSA and SAMTRAC brands, highlights the following common gaps that can hinder strong OHS plans.

A tick box exercise

Some organisations view compliance with OHS and OHS training as checkbox exercises to meet regulatory requirements, but this approach results in a weak OHS plan. In such instances, employees are often sent irregular and infrequent messages about safety, which are usually generic with a one-size-fits-all approach. Employees may alternatively be bombarded with broad information, leading to knowledge overload and a disconnect between training and daily tasks.

The OHS messaging also fails to address the specific hazards and risks unique to each workplace; OHS and relevant training needs to be tailored to an organisation’s needs.

Conduct a thorough assessment to identify specific hazards and risks present in your workplace, and tailor the training content to address these specific issues.

Flat communication 

Sitting in a classroom setting has its advantages, but the OHS training field has evolved with changes in technology, moving away from lectures and presentations and towards webinars, e-learning, and virtual reality channels. In the traditional approach, employees may forget key safety protocols by the time they return to their workplace, rendering the training ineffective in preventing accidents.

Consider implementing interactive learning that moves away from passive lectures. Embrace interactive learning methods like simulations, role-playing, and case studies. This will help employees engage with the material and improve knowledge retention.

To encourage message absorption, consider micro-learning courses by breaking down complex topics into bite-sized modules that can be delivered in short bursts. This approach is more engaging and effective in today’s fast-paced work environment.

Language diversity

If you have a diverse workforce, using only one language poses a challenge in getting safety messages across to all employees. Translate key safety information into commonly spoken languages at your organisation. Ensure OHS training materials are available in the languages spoken by your workforce.

Soft skills

While we may consider OHS and training to be technical procedures, the most effective OHS training should also address soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and situational awareness. Encouraging conversation between staff and awareness of their roles – as well as encouraging them to approach one another – supports an effective overall safety strategy. These skills are crucial for identifying hazards, raising concerns, and intervening when unsafe practices are observed.

Host workshops where staff can get to know each other, and adopt scenario-based training where they can roleplay situations they may encounter. This will help them practice applying safety protocols in a realistic setting.

Overall, continuously improve your OHS and training needs by regularly evaluating the effectiveness of your OHS training programme and making adjustments as needed. It is important to consistently seek feedback from employees and incorporate their insights into the training process.

Contact SafetyCloud at info@safetycloud.co.za or call +27 87 330 3790 for expert guidance on safety solutions.