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Talking ‘Safety’ in Training: A Win-Win Situation
By Sheree Evans-Metcalf

From a safety standpoint, the benefits of good training are obvious. Every company should instruct its employees on the general safety rules of the plant as well as on the safe performance of a specific job. Every equipment vendor likewise should instruct their end users on the safety aspects of their equipment. It’s important that end users and OEMs reinforce one another’s efforts and that there is communication prior to training.

Federal Legislation Affecting Business and Industry

Two pieces of federal legislation have had a great impact on business and industry. They are the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEOA). Both of these acts relate to industrial training. OSHA requires that many categories of workers must be trained. For example, all fork-lift truck operators constitute one group that must be trained under OSHA regulations. OSHA Section 1910, 178 (1): Operator Training, “Only trained and authorized operators shall be permitted to operate a powered industrial truck.” Many citations have been issued to companies in this particular area of training and other machine equipment training when accidents have occurred because companies have not properly trained their operators.

Research indicates that for many companies, the training programs have not reduced accidents and thus have failed. Why this failure?

1. The training is designed only to meet the letter of the law and not to reap the practical benefits of good training.
2. Poor training program selection.
3. Lack of financial support for training.
4. Poor presentation.
5. Lack of meaningful testing.
6. Lack of follow-up and on-going training.

Even though these concerns may appear to be mostly the responsibility of the end users, machinery builders play an important role when it comes to your equipment. Without fail, if there is an accident on a piece of equipment, the manufacturer will be named in a lawsuit that could prove costly and time-consuming. One of the first things that will be reviewed during the investigation of an accident is the training provided and documentation presented that may have prevented it.

Training is going to cost time and money whether it is done properly or improperly. Does it not make sense to do it right and get a good return on your investment? Business, as well as the employee, will ultimately benefit from good training, since a well-trained individual will be more productive and will save money for the company in terms of accident loss and equipment downtime. This will benefit both the company and the manufacturer of the equipment. As an equipment provider, it is critical to perform a risk assessment on all equipment prior to installation as well as the existing equipment you have at the end user’s site, if it has not already been done. This will help to ensure all energy sources meet the safety guidelines for operation.

On June 14 th there will be a Webinar entitled “How to Effectively Integrate Safety into Your Equipment Training,” which will offer additional hints and tools to enhance the training you are already doing.