The Critical Role of Training in Protecting Workers

Abstract

The training of workers plays a critical role in the prevention of injury and disease in the workplace. The important role of worker training and education in prevention programs is recognized in numerous OSHA substance-specific regulations such as those for asbestos, lead, arsenic, and cotton dust, as well as in several process-specific standards, such as those for respiratory protection, lock-out/tag-out, HAZWOPER, blood-borne pathogens, and process safety management for highly hazardous materials.Because OSHA standards have little specificity concerning detailed training program content, delivery, or quality assurance, it has been critically important to develop innovative methods for delivery of training to workers, as well as valid methods for evaluating the quality and impacts of such training.We have learned that safety and health training efforts must convey complex information on toxicity, safe work practices, and control measures in a way that is useful and understandable to both high-literacy and low-literacy individuals. Curriculum development and pedagogical approaches must be flexible enough to reach numerous, diverse target groups.This volume reflects a range of forms that training evaluations have taken, including a focus on individuals or groups, use of qualitative or quantitative methodologies, and findings that are descriptive or inferential.Research has documented that trained workers can, through knowledge gained and skills developed, help to establish a safety-conscious work climate to assure that proper methods and techniques are utilized during the conduct of work in dozens of complex and highly hazardous operations.

Workplace Safety and Health Improvements through a Labor/Management Training and Collaboration

“…“The training of workers plays a critical role in the prevention of injury and disease in the workplace” [8]. Research shows that hands-on, small-group training is a necessary element of most workplace changes and improvements.…”

Education and Training: Key Factors in Global Occupational and Environmental Health

“…Educators need to look at the methods and practices used to provide occupational safety and health training. OSHA standards provide minimal guidance for training content and delivery methods [19]. Developing and implementing training programs is difficult, as OSH is a broad field and encompasses many disciplines including, among others, occupational medicine and nursing, industrial/occupational hygiene, occupational safety, ergonomics, and occupational psychology.…”

Labor-Management Cooperation in Illinois: How a Joint Union Company Team Is Improving Facility Safety

“…Occupational health and safety training is an important component of occupational health and safety programs, and there is strong evidence that training workers has a positive effect on their safety and health behaviors. 2 According to Chip Hughes, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program, “The training of workers plays a critical role in the prevention of injury and disease in the workplace.” 3 Then director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Linda Rosenstock, in the forward to a comprehensive literature review of 80 studies on health and safety training, emphasized that “occupational safety and health training remains a fundamental element in workplace hazard control programs – important in meeting the objectives of job hazard recognition, learning safe practices, and appreciating preventive measures.” 4 Burke, et al concluded that when training methods are more engaging (i.e., requiring trainees’ active participation), workers show greater knowledge acquisition, and there are reductions in accidents, illnesses, and injuries. 5…”