Workplace safety includes any health and safety conditions at work in which employees have the potential to be harmed, and is usually a component of general occupational health and safety. To make a workplace safe, an area must comply with rules and regulations that are written to reduce the risk of harm to employees. This is especially true when it comes to health and safety on the job. Workplace safety standards are the regulations, guidance and legal standards issued by governments and standards-making bodies in the workplace safety sector to ensure that the public can use and work in the same kind of environment as themselves without undue risk of injury, disease, illness or death, in order to protect themselves, their co-workers, and their employers, or third parties (e.g. clients).

The term “health and safety” is often used in a broad context to include a wide range of safety regulations, including those that cover workplace health and safety, occupational health and safety, environmental health and safety, food safety, or any workplace safety laws, codes and regulations. The term is also used in a broad context to include any laws that are focused on improving the quality of life of a public, including consumer protection and environmental protection laws.

The goal is to keep workers and the public safe from preventable injuries and illness that can occur in the workplace. An accident is an unexpected occurrence that negatively affects someone’s health and safety. An accident may include a fall at work, a work-related burn, getting stuck in a machine or an equipment failure. An injury may result in the need for medical treatment, time off work or the possible inability to work. A report to government authorities is often required for a person to be compensated for an accident.

While accidents happen, human lives are at risk every time. It can happen at any moment. Therefore, it is important that the place where we are working is safe. We have various devices to protect ourselves at work. We have the personal protective equipment at work. The people who work in the work place usually have gloves, goggles, a hard hat, a breathing mask, shoes, protective clothing, safety glasses, dust and chemical hazard control cards, fire and first aid kits, and so on.

Importance of workplace safety training

The importance of workplace safety training is well-known, and many safety organizations and employers provide such training. The goal of safety training is to ensure that each employee is aware of the hazards in the workplace, understands the consequences of those hazards, and knows what to do about them. Some safety training is presented during employees’ initial hire and others is provided on an as-needed basis. The most common types of safety training are safety meetings, video or slide shows, personal trainers and written information.

Usually, the training topics include general rules for dealing with hazards, such as safety equipment and emergency response procedures.

Purpose of safety training

Many employers seek to implement safety training as a means of improving the health and safety of their workforce. To ensure a safe workplace, training must be provided to every employee. Employees may be:

  • Unaware of the hazards in the workplace
  • Unsure of how to protect themselves from workplace hazards
  • Too busy to learn about hazards at work
  • Unwilling or unable to comply with safety procedures.

Because safety training can be provided to all employees, it is very cost-effective. Training can reduce injuries and deaths in the workplace, help prevent injury to employees, save employers money by cutting down on injuries, illnesses and medical expenses, and also can be an effective recruitment tool.

Benefits to employees

When an employee receives safety training, he or she will become a better employee. Training can enhance performance and productivity, can increase the quality of products or services, and can help employees learn specific job skills and job duties. For example, in a manufacturing setting, safety training can help: Employees learn how to use hand tools to prevent injuries, such as training in hand tools such as how to sharpen them, use them for cutting, etc. Employees learn about safety precautions before use of dangerous machinery or equipment. Employees become familiar with the safety and regulations of a particular industry. Employees can learn from peers how to be a good team member. Employees learn about safety precautions and safety regulations when working on the job. Employees learn how to avoid unsafe and harmful behaviors in the workplace.

Benefits to employers

Most employers find it a good practice to provide safety training to their workforce because: An employer can avoid paying money and time for employee injuries and illnesses that can occur as a result of employee ignorance and misuse of equipment and supplies. An employer can save money by reducing lost time and expenses from worker injuries. An employer can avoid being sued for injuries that occur as a result of unsafe conditions at the workplace. Safety training helps increase worker productivity and performance.