Why is Safety Training Important in the Workplace?

Safety training may not be the most glamorous prospect, but when you consider the substantial benefits that it brings to both individuals and organisations, its importance comes into sharp focus.

Workplace safety training isn’t just for obvious candidates such as the building construction industries where it’s a legal requirement.  There are inherent risks in every workplace – and it’s not only about the possibility of accidents and injuries either.  Risk comes in all shapes and forms which is why companies across the spectrum of industry – small businesses included – need to prioritise proactive workplace health and safety training.

Safety training is important for many reasons – some of which are less obvious than others – but all of which are crucial components of maintaining a productive, healthy, positive and successful workplace.

In this article, we explore why safety training is important in the workplace, including topics like why businesses need it and what the benefits are. We’ll also discuss why partnering with an expert in risk mitigation can be another key element of a safer, more secure workplace.

What does workplace safety training involve?

Safety education and training can look different for each organisation, but the principles should be the same:

• To establish and maintain a safety-forward culture
• To minimise or eliminate risks and hazards which could result in mental or physical harm to personnel (including employees, visitors and contractors)
• To empower personnel with the relevant knowledge and skills to maintain a safe workplace
• To comply with regulatory requirements

The format and content of workplace safety programmes will depend on the nature of the industry and on the structure of the organisation itself, but they will generally involve training on how to identify, address, prevent and mitigate hazards and risks in the workplace.  Other aspects such as emergency procedures and practical guidelines for maintaining a safe work environment are also commonly included in workplace safety training.

Training should be ongoing, with regular evaluation of elements such as the company’s safety communication processes, progress against goals and incident audits to establish where improvements can be made.  The goal should be to make every employee – even if there are only a handful – take responsibility for their own safety and that of their colleagues. 

As we mentioned, the benefits of safety training go beyond the practical aspects of minimising accidents and injuries in the workplace.  The knock-on effect from employees feeling positive about their workplace and their safety can have substantial upside for an organisation in terms of stronger staff morale, improved productivity and ultimately, better returns.

Far from being a grudge purchase, safety training is an investment in a stronger, healthier and more successful business. 

Let’s now turn our attention to the benefits of safety training in the workplace.

 

Safety training: why it’s important

The primary objective of instilling a safety culture in an organisation is obviously to minimise the risk of accidents or injury. 

Workplace incidents not only have a negative impact on the people directly involved, they also adversely affect operations on a wider scale.  An accident at work can mean a loss of expertise, experience and knowledge, it can result in disruptions to productivity, financial penalties from legal non-compliance, additional costs such as compensation and diminished employee morale.

A proactive approach to safety training will make a material difference to your organisation. 

Another proactive way you can protect your business against potential risks and uncertainties is through comprehensive insurance solutions such as workers’ compensation, professional indemnity and public liability insurance. 

GSK Insurance has assisted hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses with affordable risk management strategies and you’re welcome to reach out to our friendly team of experienced professionals if you’d like to get a quote or explore solutions which meet your enterprise’s unique needs.

A reduction in workplace accidents and injuries is clearly a major goal and benefit of safety training.  But it’s not the only one.  Safety training also delivers numerous other valuable outcomes which have far-reaching consequences for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Here are six of the top reasons why safety training is important:

1. Improves employee morale
2. Results in a more stable, more engaged workforce
3. Fosters loyalty among employees because they feel their safety and wellbeing is valued
4. Increases operating efficiencies and increases productivity
5. Reduces costs as a result of higher outputs, lower staff turnover, reduced likelihood of fines and legal fees, lower insurance premiums etc
6. A robust safety record leads to a stronger reputation in the marketplace.  This can lead to better relationships with customers and other stakeholders and make your company more attractive to prospective employees.

 

Key takeaways

There’s little doubt that workplace safety training is a non-negotiable business imperative.

Whether you work in a quiet home office or a busy retail outlet or production facility, there can be hazards around every corner… and unless fostering a safety-first culture is an ongoing and high priority in your everyday operations, these hazards can cost a lot more than you think. 

As one of Australia’s leading insurance brokers, GSK Insurance can help you protect your business against potential risks and uncertainties through tailored solutions that meet your specific circumstances.  We’re a family run enterprise ourselves, so we understand the nuances of the SMME landscape and we know just how critical it is to have sound strategies in place to protect business assets and operations.

Discover our specialist skills for yourself by contacting GSK Insurance on 08 9478 1933 or request an obligation-free quote through our website.  Your road to comprehensive workplace safety could start with us.