This module will introduce you to general OSHA requirements for education and training. However, I will emphasize "getting beyond compliance" by addressing best practices in effective safety and health education programs. To learn more about safety education and training, be sure to complete OSHAcademy Course 703, Introduction to OSH Training.

Safety education and training is extremely important to ensure all processes in your company's safety and health management system are effective. If this critical element is missing, none of the other system elements can, or will be effective. But, this element is often neglected or managed ineffectively because the benefits may not be immediate, tangible, and directly related to profits. Managers may find it difficult to see the long-term improvements in process and product quality that result from an effective safety education and training program. It's hard to see the big picture: to see the accidents that don't happen.

What are the OSHA training requirements?

Be Trained. OSHA's Training Requirements Guide. Here's a great booklet that covers many OSHA training requirements and also gives you some ideas on training strategies.

Assessing Occupational Safety and Health Training: A Literature Review. This NIOSH sponsored report reviews data found in the literature reflecting the significance of training in meeting these kinds of objectives and outcomes. An analysis to identify factors underlying a successful training experience is also presented .

We educate to show why. There are many definitions for education. Within the context of occupational safety and health, education describes who, what, where, when, and most importantly, why safety procedure and practice are necessary. Education informs, persuades, and motivates to affect attitude.

Safety education is effective in saving lives by primarily increasing our knowledge. Increased knowledge will improve attitudes and skills. For example, Gary, a recent student wrote:

"I stress to my co-workers that a life jacket is mandatory on deck. We hired a young guy who was a swimmer in college. He felt his swimming skills were such that he did not need the jacket. We educated him on hypothermia and that he could not save himself if he fell over in 35 degree water. Once he understood the hazard, he wore the jacket at all times, because he wanted to, not because he had to."

Why is education so important?

Earlier I said that education tells the "why" in a learning process. In safety and health, the why can save a person's life. By far the most common reason workers do not follow safety rules (or any rule) is that they don't understand why doing so is important. They don't understand the consequences.

For instance, I'll bet your company has a list of safety rules that they asked you to read when you were first hired. Did anyone discuss with you at that time each rule, and why that rule was important to follow? Likely not. (There's always an exception to this, and if you are one...congratulations!) If you only have a list of rules, you may want to suggest incorporating a short paragraph explaining why the rules are important.

If your company attempts to institute change in any part of the safety and health program (or any other program), the effort will fail if the company only trains people how to change without educating in such a way that not only informs, but also motivates and persuades workers that the change is necessary and in everyone's' best interest.