The Value of Industrial Safety Training

Training is a crucial aspect of maintaining safety in an industrial environment. Sectors like construction, manufacturing, transport, warehousing and mining pose a range of risks to workers, from falls to machinery accidents, chemical hazards to muscle and back injuries. Industrial safety training leads to higher productivity, greater staff confidence and motivation and, most importantly, a marked reduction in accidents and injuries.

Over the past decade, there have been over 1,880 traumatic injury fatalities in Australian workplaces, and more than 1,165,100 workers have made compensation claims involving a week or more of lost working time. While this is roughly one-third of the global average, it still highlights the importance of safety training in the industrial sector.

According to Safe Work Australia, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a primary duty to ensure the health and safety of employees (and others that may be affected by the work) as much as possible. Safety training protects employees, visitors and business assets and also helps your business adhere to legal regulations.

Of course, there are different forms of safety training, both general and industry-specific. Industrial electrical safety training, which involves the inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment, is a necessity for industries with significant electrical hazards.

SSTC is an expert in safety with experience maintaining safety standards in all kinds of industries, and a range of solutions tailored to meet the needs of any work site.

Here’s the SSTC guide to how industrial safety training can benefit your worksite, and how SSTC can help.

The Importance of Industrial Safety Training

Safety training is, for obvious reasons, important on every work site. But in Australia, just six industries account for the bulk of traumatic injuries and compensation claims: agriculture, forestry and fishing; construction; manufacturing; transport, postal and warehousing; public admin and safety; and health care and social assistance. In these industries, industrial safety training is especially important.

Farming, forestry, and fishing have the highest number of fatalities, accounting for a significant proportion of the industry's fatalities, often occurring in remote locations with hazards such as chemicals, noise, dust, and dangerous animals to contend with. Construction is also a notoriously dangerous industry, with vehicles, slips, harmful materials and falls from height all posing consistent hazards.  

Industrial safety training involves equipping employees in various industries with the education, skill set and tools to identify potential risks and respond in time. Reasons for the importance of safety training in the industrial industry include:

Reduced injuries and accidents

In an industrial environment, proper safety training can save the lives of employees as well as reduce workers’ compensation claims and lost productivity due to absence.

Better compliance with regulations

Safety training helps your workplace to keep up to date with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws as well as other requirements.

Increased employee engagement

An employee is more likely to be productive, engaged and motivated when they feel that their employer is invested in their health and well-being.

Improved reputation

Cutting costs will always catch up with you in one way or another. Organisations that prioritise the safety of their staff are more likely to gain a positive reputation in the community, leading to increased brand loyalty and attracting better staff.

There are various types of safety training available, including task-specific training, hazardous materials handling and industrial electrical safety training. Implementing a safety training course is a crucial component of a comprehensive safety strategy.

Ways to Improve Safety on Your Site

Ensuring safety on your worksite starts with building a culture that values safety. Owners and project managers have to understand safety regulations and put procedures in place for all staff to follow. Some methods for improving your work site’s safety standards include:

Create a workplace safety plan

A workplace safety plan ensures that all staff, managers and others involved in the business are aware of potential risks and their responsibility to help mitigate them. It covers areas such as safe work practices and emergency procedures, and should include a risk assessment, a list of control measures and compulsory training programs.

Minimise safety hazards in the environment

Staff should be trained to be aware of dangers in the environment and encouraged to report environmental hazards, from wet floors to unsafe wiring to obstacles in the path.

Provide personal protective equipment (PPE)

Your team should have access to equipment that reduces the risk of injury from workplace hazards, including googles, helmets, ear muffs, safety glasses and high-visibility vests.

Use the right equipment

Ensure that your site is well-organised, with lights and electrical equipment unplugged when not in use, and no tools or debris lying around. Store tools in an accessible, easy-to-find place and inspect them regularly for damage and wear and tear.

Create an emergency response plan

All workplaces have to have an emergency plan in place, according to WHS laws. Your emergency plan, which should be tailored to your workplace, outlines detailed measures for responding to emergencies, including roles and responsibilities and emergency contact information.

How to Respond When Emergencies Occur

Emergencies can occur with little to no warning. Always prioritise the safety of all people present first; you can worry about your business assets later. Business.gov.au has a ‘take action checklist’ that you can use to guide your response during an emergency. Your own emergency response plan should outline how to respond to any crisis situations specific to your particular industry.

Stay as calm and composed as possible, as this makes it easier to make sensible decisions when under pressure. Clear and efficient communication is important in emergency situations, and effectively delegating tasks and responsibilities can be a lifesaver in times of crisis.

For workplace medical emergencies, dial 000 immediately and let emergency services know the situation, your location and any relevant medical conditions of the affected individual. Have a trained member of your team administer first aid, such as basic wound care, until emergency services arrive. Clear away any obstacles from the entrance to the scene of the emergency and make sure paramedics can reach the injured person.

In the event of a fire or similar situation, raise the alarm immediately and evacuate all people present to safety. Guide all staff to assemble at the evacuation point and call emergency services.  

Safe Site Practices with SSTC

A team of experts in site safety with over 50 years of combined experience, SSTC provides industrial and security services as well as traffic management throughout Sydney. We’re also a one-stop shop for plans, permits and other documentation, and we can ensure your project complies with safety regulations from beginning to end.

Our industrial services include emergency and first-response teams, gas detection and monitoring services, confined space management, and documentation such as safe work method statements and rescue plans.

One of SSTC’s services is electrical spotting, which ensures a job is undertaken in the safest possible manner to avoid injury. An electrical spotter minimises the risk of electrocution and proximity to power lines and electrical conductors. SSTC’s electrical spotters are Level 2 accredited, First Aid certified, and thoroughly trained in emergency procedures. Their level of qualification and commitment to safety standards is second to none.

If you’re ready to hold your own worksite to a higher safety standard and protect your team, get your free quote from the SSTC team.