The Importance of Keeping Worker Training Up to Date
It is essential to ensure your worker’s training is up to date not only because it is the law but because it is vital to maintaining a safe work environment. Maintaining a safe workplace allows employees to be more productive and provides them with a greater understanding of the work they will be completing. In addition, providing workers with proper safety training will help to ensure that your worksite is as efficient as possible, generating the most money possible for your organization.
Reason #1: It is the Law!
OSHA and MSHA require by law that workers receive proper training to ensure their safety and the safety of those on the job site. According to OSHA, “Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace. No person should ever have to be injured, become ill, or die for a paycheck.”
According to Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1200 “Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.”
Reason #2: Saves Your Company Money!
Employee safety training should not be considered a cost but rather an investment. Training employees on the safest way to operate at a construction site will pay back the company over and over again. The organization will suffer fewer injuries and illnesses, lowering insurance premiums and making workers more productive.
Reason #3: Increased Worker Productivity!
Organizations that ensure workers are trained appropriately can increase efficiency significantly on the job site. In addition, training workers to work safely decreases downtime due to worker injury and illness, resulting in increased workers’ productivity.
An employer needs to make conscious decisions to maintain a safe job site at all times. Maintaining a safe job site saves money and increases productivity resulting in a net benefit to the organization.