How Safety Training Helps Build An Agile Workforce

Jun 29, 2018 Dave Newgass General 0

What is the relationship between safety and agility? The latter has already become an important term in the world of human resources, particularly among headhunters and talent acquisitions specialists. Companies often speak of the desirability of having an agile workforce.

What does agility entail?

To be agile means to be resilient, change-ready, flexible, willing to take risks, capable of learning and embracing new methods, processes and technology.

These qualities are the hallmarks of a workforce that companies these days seek to hire, retain and develop so that anytime requirements or processes change or new technology is introduced, operations will continue seamlessly.

But having a superior league of employees is not the be-all and end-all of talent acquisition. Once you get these people on-board, you need to engage, challenge, develop and protect them. After all, risk is inherent in any workplace whether it be out in the oilfields, in a typical office environment, or a global workplace comprising remote workers in every corner of the world.

Innovation through safety

In the early 19th century, many people refused to take elevators out of a fear for their safety. There was always anxiety over the possibility of the cable snapping; plunging both the elevator and passengers to a gruesome death.

Elisha Otis, the renowned American industrialist who invented the “safety elevator,” addressed the problem by conducting a demonstration on the effectiveness of the safety features of his version of the machine. Otis then went on to build his own elevator company, and people began using traction elevators (the type Otis made) which are still used today and have made it possible to transport people up and down skyscrapers.

The point of this anecdote is to show how a company cannot hope to move forward and develop without ensuring the safety of its people.

A blatant disregard for the safety of employees is a clear indicator that the company is headed for disaster.

This is where safety training comes in. However, in spite of the benefits of safety training, some companies still view it as an unnecessary expense. But whether or not you are ready to embrace the need to get your employees trained in healthy and safety now, a review of some of those important benefits might help you decide.

Benefits of Safety Training

● Staff productivity increases

If you not only want an agile workforce but also one that is loyal to the core, then investing in employee safety training is a surefire way to make your people — your assets — feel valued, safe and empowered.

This, of course, has far-reaching ripple effects as a happy, loyal workforce will understandably be more productive, and will not go looking for new opportunities elsewhere. By making them feel protected, you will be sure to keep your highly valuable, skilled workers.

Additionally, effective health and safety practices in a company lead to the reduction of absenteeism, sickness, and the decreased possibility of injuries and death in the workplace.

● You become an employer of choice

Companies and businesses that are HSE-compliant are viewed positively from the outside and have no difficulty attracting top talent because of their perceived desirability.

Prospective employees are not only interested in what they can gain in terms of salaries, benefits and perks when they move companies, but also want to make sure they work in an environment where health and safety are a top priority.

● The company is protected

Some companies that disregard the benefits of health and safety training for their employees usually learn a little too late that their oversight can cost them thousands of dollars in litigation expenses, damage claims, hospitalization bills, and the like. Then factoring in productivity losses, repair/renovation work, acquiring and training new hires, bad PR, etc., can actually increase costs drastically.

There are various health and safety training certifications appropriate for specific occupations and industries, among which are from the National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

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