Workplace Safety & Training obligations

In order to ensure that informal training is effective, the supervisor or manager needs to undertake training to develop the skills to train others in the workplace. It is also essential that business owners identify experienced staff members who are able to provide mentoring to junior staff through their experience in their position.

No matter how large or small your business is, everybody needs some training in health and safety matters and the policies and procedures of your particular business.

The employees’ training starts with induction training. The employer is responsible for ensuring that a new employee is given induction training and has the skills and knowledge to work safely. The induction training should include information such as:

• hazards at work

• how to interpret safety signs and information

• fire and emergency procedures

• first aid procedures

• reporting procedures

• dealing with specific equipment

• how to get involved in health and safety

In most workplaces, the owner, supervisor, or experienced worker will provide this training. It is essential that the induction training is properly recorded and that all records are kept. The records should include the name of the person who received the induction and health and safety training, dates and times of when the training took place, specific details of what occurred during the training, how long the training session lasted, and how the training was assessed.

Training Analysis

After the induction of the employee, it’s essential to plan and continue to train. Training needs analysis to ensure it is relevant to the job and to the changing needs of the workplace. We suggest conducting a health and safety training needs analysis to ensure your employees are receiving the type of training they need. Training analysis involves analysing all aspects of the work, including the work environment, the actual jobs people do, and the skills and knowledge of each person at work. Once this information is collected you can start to plan what training your organisation needs.

When planning the training analysis, we suggest you:

• analyse the workplace

• assess the current approach to health and safety at work

• analyse the specific jobs

• forecast any possible job changes

• delegate responsibilities to the appropriate supervisors and managers

• create responsibilities of supervisors

• create a handling system for health and safety procedures