If you want to create a safe and compliant workplace, then you really should consider safety training as a central part of your plan. But the problem you’ll probably face is that many employees view these sessions as time-consuming or unnecessary. Which isn’t exactly helpful.
Why Is Changing Employee Attitudes Necessary?
Changing employee attitudes towards programs like
OSHA training is necessary because without it, everyone would have their own ideas about what it’s supposed to involve. Actually, some would have no idea...
This means there will inevitably be a lack of engagement and adherence to safety protocols. You don’t need telling that this will result in higher rates of workplace injuries and accidents, which negates your “safety” regime. It will also jeopardize employee well-being and increase financial costs for the organization. Not exactly an ideal outcome…
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates, businesses spend
$1 billion per week on nonfatal workplace injuries. It’s not much of a stretch to deduce that targeted training will significantly reduce these expenses.
Because of this, it’s pretty important to get people to understand what it’s all about, and actively engage in the process. It won’t just protect their health and well-being, but from your point of view, it will contribute to a more productive and smooth-running work environment. Everyone wins.
7 Easy Steps To Help Shift Those Attitudes In A Positive Direction
1. Adopt “attitude ambassadors”
This involves setting the right tone with the right people. You need to emphasize positive attitudes in the workplace – and acknowledge this positivity when you see it. Identify a few key individuals who you can recruit and use their influence to spread this among the rest of the staff.
These key individuals will become ambassadors for the rest of the workforce, helping to develop a culture where training is rightly valued. Remember that attitudes are usually contagious. So make sure that it’s the positive ones that are being spread around!
2. Communicate visually
Visual aids and signals significantly influence people’s views, so apply this to training. Think about the impact of something like a friendly smile, as well as a motivational poster. You can reinforce the message with visual reminders of the company’s objectives – especially those relating to
OSHA Outreach Courses. So post images that serve as guiding principles of safety to further emphasize what you’re after.
You can also showcase photos of employees at work. This will create a connection between training and everyday life. Another good idea is to encourage positive communication by using a “thank you” message board where employees can write notes. All this will create a sense of community that makes people feel more comfortable about the whole thing.
3. Make time for team building exercises
Team building is a great way to encourage bonding, and build relationships. Of course, you should respect both work time and personal time while you do it, but create a comfortable space that can be used for for social gatherings. This can then serve as a forum for having positive conversations about work … and safety.
Organize regular social outings like lunches or dinners, and invite team members to take part in work games or challenges. You can introduce some healthy competition by setting work goals, with rewards geared to their engagement with the training. This helps people feel more connected to each other and to the company. And they’ll be more receptive to what you’re trying to achieve.
4. Be honest about requirements
If you speak openly and honestly to your staff, they’ll be more likely to understand and relate to what you say. (Which means that if you don’t, you run the risk that they won’t.) And when they recognize the value of what they learn, compliance becomes a lot more natural.
This means that open communication about the reasons for training and the benefits it brings is pretty well essential. It will also improve morale within the team. Simple steps like these can make a big difference in changing employee attitudes to anything, not just training.
5. Find the right courses
Of course, you need to select the right courses, too! There’s no point in doing the hard graft of changing attitudes if the courses don’t deliver. And when you choose a really effective course, it will reinforce your efforts.
So when you’re making your choice (or choices) make sure you choose courses that are engaging and interactive so that people stay interested. And remember to look for courses that provide practical, real-life scenarios that they can relate to, not just lists of bullet points and explanations.
6. Provide incentives and rewards
Incentives and rewards
are powerful motivators for getting your staff to do what you want – and think in the right way, too! So recognize and reward those who complete their training on time and/or who show exceptional understanding and application of what they’ve learned.
You can give out bonuses, gift cards, extra time off, or (dare we say…) simply recognition. You can also try gamifying the training process, which is a growing preference for maximizing engagement. Here, you create a points system where employees earn points for completing modules, These points can then be redeemed for rewards. As you can imagine, this not only makes the courses more engaging but also gives employees a tangible goal to work towards.
7. Lead by example
The style of leadership always plays a critical role. When a manager or team supervisor shows a genuine commitment to safety and training, their staff will be much more likely to follow suit. And if you actually take part in sessions, you’ll provide the strongest evidence of all that you value the process.
Leading by example also means consistently applying the practices yourself. When people see their boss prioritizing safety, it reinforces the importance of the training and encourages them to take it seriously.
Have A Look At Other Ways
Apart from the steps we’ve mentioned above, one of the most effective ways to change attitudes about OSHA training is to give people personalized development plans. Tailoring programs to meet the needs of individual people will undoubtedly increase their interest … and their participation.
People have different learning styles, and tailoring programs around them is a very effective policy. For example, some people prefer visual aids, while others respond better to hands-on experiences. Others simply want to listen to audio content. Because of this, it’s a good idea to ask your employees for their preferences: you could be surprised (or even inspired!) by what they say.
Setting personal goals also helps to make training more relevant and engaging. But make them achievable! Work with each person when setting their goals. A good mantra to follow is to make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). (For the record, we run a course on
Setting SMART Goals.)
By doing this, people are able to monitor their progress. And when you praise them for reaching their milestones, They’ll be even more motivated to continue their journey.
Conclusion
Changing employee attitudes in any area doesn’t happen overnight, and safety (OHSA) training is no exception. But by adopting the seven steps we’ve given – plus some of the “other ways” if they’re relevant – you can create a more positive and engaging environment. And this will enable you to develop the safer, more compliant workplace you want.
