How to Evaluate Your Safety Training Program

Posted by
Lance Roux
on Mar 27, 2014

how to evaluate your safety program

Is your company's safety training adequate and up to date? An effective safety training program requires continuous evaluation and attention.  Here's how to evaluate your safety training program in seven steps.

1. CONDUCT A SAFETY TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT

A training needs assessment is a methodology that evaluates your company's operations and risks and determines if there are any gaps in your safety training programs.

2. Evaluate the Costs and Benefits of Your Training Program

Measure the costs and benefits of your safety training program.  Compare the costs and benefits of correcting deficiencies against improvements that can be achieved through safety training and makes sure you are getting results from your training investment.

3. Are Your Objectives Being Met?

Define what your workers are learning as a result of your safety training program.  Is the training objective aligned with your company's goals and mission? Is the objective based on specific and measurable criteria?

4. Are Your Training Methods Effective?

Are you using the most effective method for training? Here are a few options to consider for your safety training program:

  • Classroom workshop style safety training.   A classroom creates a comfortable environment that allows your workers space to take notes and ask questions. 
  • On-Site training will allow you to demonstrate proper safety protocols. Live demonstrations also create higher engagement and better retention of the information presented.
  • Video is a cost effective way to host multiple safety training sessions.
  • Web-based training is convenient because webinars can be recorded and shown at later times.  Live webinars allow for question and answer period.
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  • 5. Are Your Presentation Materials Effective?

There are several components involved in creating an effective presentation for your safety training program. 

  • Develop a script for the presenter.  A script will ensure that all key points, regulations and other critical information are properly presented.
  • Develop electronic presentations, along with printed and promotional material that support the training program objectives. These materials should be used in conjunction with the presenter’s script.
  • On-site demonstrations should be utilized when appropriate.
  • Video tape the presentations.  This video tape can be used as an evaluation tool and also shown to workers who may have missed the training.
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  • 6. Does Your Company Culture Promote Safety?

Effective safety training allows your workers to implement what they learned in a supportive environment.  A supportive environment can be created through coaching, behavioral observation, and creating accountability with your workers, managers and supervisors.

7. Evaluate the Results of Your Training Efforts

There are several methods that you can use to measure the effectiveness of your safety training program.

  • Survey your employees at the end of training.  Surveys can evaluate the presenter, material provided and the value in the safety training.
  • Test the knowledge of your workers before and after the safety training. This can help gauge how much was learned as a result of safety training.  Testing also provides information on strengths and weaknesses of the certain topics within the presentation.
  • Measure performance improvement through analysis of your accident records
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Tags: Safety Management, Safety training

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