Safety Training for Safety Professionals - Part 2 of 4

The answer...because for years and years the basic intelligence and skill of people was just assumed to be with each person. As employers we just thought that everyone knew what to do and would do it the right way. But as AMERICANS our real focus is "Get the job done, on time, any way you can!"

SO, the law was written to ensure that employers made sure that they informed employees that there is a RIGHT WAY to do most things and, the law builds in penalties if we don't. And, the law mandates the moral responsibility of employers to tell their employees what hazards they are OR may be exposed to and, how to protect themselves from these hazards.

By mandating that employers tell their employees what hazards they're exposed to, the law also places a burden on each employee to do the right thing. Sometimes, as employers this makes our job more difficult, HOWEVER, it does make our relationship with our employees more interactive and, it does save us money.

What it means is this...in our country...the law stipulates that human beings doing work are NOT an expendable commodity, people must be cared for. THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY CONCEPT. It's what we pay our taxes for. So, we must teach people the right way to accomplish work. We can't legally get around this task. However we can focus teaching to only the needs to be accomplished for OUR work environment.

Put simply, given the complexity of technology in the world in which we work in, we cannot assume that employees naturally know safe work techniques. We are required by law to teach them.

Now, what is required?

Training is required (by law) in those areas where our employees are exposed to hazards or potential. OK...WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? That is for you to decide based on conducting a work place hazard assessment and the specifics related to your operation.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR TRAINING? (See: Part 3)