Site Safety Training Online: A New Trend In The Industry

In the manufacturing industry, accidents are a potential threat for workers. According to OSHA, there were over 6.5 million work-related injuries and illnesses in 2016 alone. To protect employees and reduce accidents in factories and other premises, employers conduct safety training courses for their staff once they are hired. These trainings help workers recognize the hazards specific to their job and how to deal with them accordingly. 

It also familiarizes them with the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) that they need in their daily tasks as well as emergency exits, fire alarms, and other safety measures in case of an emergency. For many years now, most companies have opted for traditional methods of on-site safety training that included lectures from trainers and hands-on exercises in different stations such

Why Is Online Safety Training Important?

There are several advantages of conducting site safety training online. First, the training content can be easily customized to suit the needs of the employees. Considering that employees have varying levels of experience, having a flexible training program allows trainers to include essential information for all levels. 

Second, you can reach more employees by conducting remote training. Remote training allows you to train more employees at once, which helps you scale your safety training program and reduce costs. 

Third, Online safety training saves time for both the employer and employees. Employers can easily manage the training schedule and track student progress. It also allows employees to complete the training at their own pace. 

Fourth, online training is suitable for workers who work in different locations. Whether you have a distributed workforce or employees who work from home, online training is easy to access wherever internet connection is available.

Benefits Of Online Site Safety Training

With the many advantages of online training, it is not surprising that more and more companies are shifting to online training. Some of the benefits of online safety training include: 

• Convenience – With online training, employees can learn safety wherever they are. This means that they do not have to travel to a training center or other places where on-site training is usually held. You can also consider offering remote on-site training, where trainings are held at a central location and employees attend remotely via video call, teleconference, or other online tools. 
• Flexibility – With online training, you can offer employees the flexibility to study at their own pace and on their own schedule. You can even allow them to pause their studies whenever they need to and continue whenever they are ready. This allows employees to balance work and personal lives more easily. 
• Greater Retention – Studies show that when people receive training online, they tend to retain more information compared to those who receive in-person training. This is because online training provides a distraction-free environment. You can also easily assess whether employees have understood the concepts.

How Does Online Site Safety Training Work?

With online training, you can send employees training materials in e-books, videos, quizzes, and other digital tools. You can also provide a virtual classroom where employees can interact and ask questions to each other and their trainer. With virtual classrooms, employees can join training sessions at any time that is convenient for them. They can also interact with each other and receive feedback from their peers. 

With online training, you can also track each employee’s progress. This helps you identify which topics need more attention and which your employees already understand. As the training progresses, you can also provide feedback for employees. This is helpful, particularly for those needing extra help grasping essential concepts and topics. 

With online training, you can also create ongoing employee support for as long as needed. This can be done through discussion boards, live chats, and other tools where employees can share tips and advice on how to work safely.

Downsides of Online Site Safety Training

Despite the many benefits of online training, it is not perfect. You should consider some downsides before planning to shift to online training. These include: 

• Costs – Training online is more expensive compared to traditional methods. You need to make additional investments in software, development, design, and internet connection. You also have to pay for hosting or cloud services. 
• Support – Online training requires constant support, which can be challenging to provide, especially if you have many employees. If your online training tool is not enough, you can hire a trainer who can support and assist your employees as they navigate through the course. 
• Technology – You must ensure that your employees have the knowledge and skills to use the technology. This includes setting up accounts and logging in to the online training tools. You also have to check if there are any issues in the technology that are affecting the employees’ ability to learn.

Final Words

Online safety training is a convenient and cost-effective solution for many businesses. It helps companies reach more employees, save time, and reduce costs by not needing to hire additional trainers for on-site trainings. Despite its many advantages, online training does have some downsides that you need to be aware of. However, with the right software, online training can be as effective as on-site training.