| Here's a simple fact – poor safety training results in | | | | 4. Induct them before they come on site |
| higher workplace incidents and injuries. So it's fair to | | | | Many companies are now providing their inductees |
| claim that the quality of your safety induction training | | | | with the ability to take their induction in their own |
| system can reflect in your organisation's overall safety | | | | homes. The only effective way to do this is with online |
| statistics. | | | | inductions – but it's the best way to go. When an |
| Contractor and Employee inductions should aim to | | | | inductee can take their safety training in their own time |
| increase two key aspects of safety engagement; | | | | and at their own pace studies have shown that they |
| awareness and attitude. While most induction training | | | | are more likely to retain information. This method can |
| programs will be geared to educating inductees on | | | | also be very helpful for inductees who have English as |
| specific safety issues, many do not make a concerted | | | | second language. |
| effort to instill a culture of care around safety. | | | | 5. Create a consistent message |
| However, attitude towards safety is just as important | | | | No matter how many departments, divisions, sites or |
| as knowledge of safety issues. When an inductee can | | | | projects your organisation has, it is important that |
| see that the company places great value on safety, | | | | every employee and contractor share the same level |
| they are more likely to adopt the same attitude. But | | | | of safety awareness. While each area of your |
| how are these attitudes fostered and maintained by a | | | | business may require specific safety training, delivering |
| company? | | | | an overall message of safety throughout the |
| 7 ways to improve your inductees' attitudes towards | | | | organisation will improve workplace attitudes. |
| safety | | | | 6. Automate your re-induction and training |
| 1. Show them you mean business! | | | | schedule |
| By showing inductees that the induction process is | | | | One of the most common mistakes around safety |
| important to the company, they will receive a clear | | | | inductions is neglect to renew training. By automating |
| safety message from the very get-go. Don't just | | | | your system, you can receive reminders whenever an |
| throw a book at them and ask them to read it, or | | | | employee or contractor needs to be re-inducted. If |
| plonk them in front of a DVD. Create a branded, | | | | your induction system is connected to an automated |
| robust program that speaks of your company's | | | | swipe card system, you can even control site entry |
| dedication to providing a safe working environment. | | | | until the re-induction has been completed. |
| 2. Engage them through an interactive process | | | | 7. Maintain control over course content |
| As soon as your inductees are required to actively | | | | Having the flexibility to make changes to course |
| participate with the induction training process its self, | | | | content on the fly enables you keep your induction |
| they are required to think! This will not only help them | | | | training up to date. Information can become out of date |
| receive information – it will help them remember it. | | | | very quickly and unless your induction course content |
| (There are a few good quality online induction | | | | reflects this immediately, safety becomes immediately |
| programs that use an interactive questioning process | | | | compromised. |
| that enables inductees to respond to information as | | | | Induction training programs that enable the inductee to |
| they take the course.) | | | | interact with the information directly, and empower |
| 3. Make the content interesting | | | | them to study at a pace that best suits their learning |
| Well written material is well read! The clearer it is, the | | | | style, are fast becoming the standard. Some |
| easier it is to remember. Real life examples are also a | | | | organisations go to the trouble to build their own |
| useful technique to help inductees both understand and | | | | system and deliver it through their intranet, but there |
| retain information. While induction courses contain a lot | | | | are a number of online solutions that are fully hosted. |
| of vital information, simply including it isn't enough, you | | | | These are probably the easiest option and eliminate |
| need to make it interesting and engaging to make it | | | | any IT issues and costs. |
| memorable. | | | | |