Safety on the job
is everyone's business

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Responsibility for training rests with the employer

One of the most important responsibilities of the employer is to ensure that workers are adequately trained in safe work procedures and properly supervised when carrying out their duties.

Employers must ensure workers aren't intimidated or confused by new equipment or procedures. Don't assume they know what they're doing without training.

Make sure everyone knows and uses proper procedures and don't allow workers to improvise their own techniques.

Don't allow shortcuts, carelessness or recklessness. Occasionally, "it-won't-happen-to-me" attitudes can get in the way of safety.

Employers should work with supervisors in helping foster positive employee attitudes to safety.

On a job site, the responsibility for worker training is usually carried out by the supervisor. However, the employer maintains the legal responsibility to ensure that every worker receives adequate training. The employer must follow up to see that the supervisor is carrying out all required training.

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Employer responsibilities

• Provide a safe workplace.
• Ensure adequate training of workers.
• Keep written records of training: who, when and what type.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive occupational safety program, including a written safety policy and an accident investigation program.
• Support supervisors, safety coordinators, and workers in their safety activities.
• Take action immediately when the worker or supervisor tells you about a potentially hazardous situation.
• Initiate an immediate investigation into accidents.
• Report serious accidents to the WCB's Prevention Division.
• Provide adequate First Aid facilities and services.
• Provide personal protective equipment where required.
• Make available to all workers copies of Industrial Health and Safety Regulations and all other regulations which apply.

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Supervisor responsibilities

• Instruct new workers in safe work procedures.
• Train workers for all tasks assigned to them, and check their progress.
• Ensure that only authorized, adequately trained workers operate tools and equipment and use hazardous chemicals.
• Ensure that equipment and materials are properly handled, stored, and maintained.
• Enforce safety regulations.
• Correct unsafe acts.
• Identify workers with problems such as drugs or alcohol that could affect their performance, and follow up with interviews and referrals where necessary.
• Formulate safety rules and inspect for hazards in your own area.

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Worker responsibilities

• Know and follow safety and health regulations affecting your job.
• If you don't know how, ask for training before you begin work.
• Work safely, and encourage your co-workers to do the same.
• Correct or immediately report any unsafe conditions to your supervisor.
• Report any injury immediately to a First Aid attendant or supervisor.
• Take the initiative. Make suggestions for improved safety conditions.

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Recommended procedures for training new workers

Introduction

1. Prepare to receive the new worker

• Review previous experience, training and education.
• Prepare or obtain a written description of the job, with a step-by-step breakdown of duties and responsibilities.
• Plan what you will present.

2. Welcome the worker

• Help the worker feel at ease.
• Show the assigned workplace.
• Explain the work flow and arrangement.
• Explain where to obtain tools and equipment.
• Explain where to obtain advice or direction.

3. Tour the facilities

• Explain the layout of the section.
• Conduct a safety orientation. Point out fire exits, emergency equipment, and the location of First Aid facilities or services.
• Explain that you will try to solve any problems which may arise.

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Training procedures

1. Prepare the trainee

• Do not begin until you have the worker's full attention.
• Explain the job in detail and the reasons for doing it.
• Explain in detail any safety precautions, including personal protective equipment.
• Try to associate the worker's past experiences with the new job.
• Encourage questions to ensure the worker understands everything you are saying and doing.
• Take all the time the worker needs for full understanding.

2. Demonstrate and describe

• Go through the operation at normal speed.
• Go through the operation at slow speed and answer questions.
• Include safety precautions during the normal sequence of tasks.
• Have the trainee perform the operation until it is done exactly as required.
• Proceed with the next operation.
• After all operations go smoothly, have the trainee perform the entire job (if it is too long or complex, break it into steps to suit the worker's capacity and take all the time needed to repeat the steps).
• Do not teach more than the worker can understand at one time.
• Discuss problems and answer questions.

3. Observe the trainee on the job

• After a period of time, have the trainee perform the entire task at or near a normal speed.
• Answer any questions or repeat any key points the trainee may have missed.
• When you feel the trainee is ready, allow him or her to perform alone.
• Tell the trainee where to get help in your absence.
• Encourage initiative and respect suggestions.
• Keep written records of training: who, when, and what type.

4. Check progress

• Make unscheduled visits.
• Make visits shorter and less frequent, as trainee progresses.
• Correct unsafe work habits.
• Monitor to ensure the worker maintains safety standards.
• Remember that, as a supervisor, you are responsible for the worker's health and safety.

5. Group training

• Group instruction may be accomplished by the supervisor when several workers are being trained at once in the same job. Group training can take place as described above.

Whenever there is any doubt whether a specific work procedure or situation is safe, and when the employer, supervisor, and worker cannot answer the question by referring to the regulations, contact an Occupational Safety Officer or an Occupational Hygiene Officer.

For more information, call the WCB at 604 276-3100, or toll-free in B.C. at 1 800 661-2112, or contact the nearest WCB area office Prevention line.

The above document can also be obtained as a printed pamphlet (reference number PH39) by contacting the Films and Posters Section of the WCB.

© Copyright Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia
Richmond, B.C., Canada.  1996.  All rights reserved.  http://www.wcb.bc.ca
This information may be freely distributed but cannot be altered in any way.
 

This page last modified: September 16, 1996.