Employee Safety and Health Training Program

Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management Department Box 6113, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-6113

Updated January 2005

Stephen F. Austin State University Safety and Health Training Program

Purpose and Scope: This program establishes the requirements for the safety and health training program at Stephen F. Austin State University. Training is one of the most important elements of any safety and health program. Training is designed to enable employees to incorporate safe operating procedures into their job assignments and reinforce safety policy and procedure. Safety training also provides an opportunity to communicate safety principles and commitment of management to a safe work place. This training program applies to all new employees and existing Stephen F. Austin State University staff and faculty.

Introduction An education and training program for safety and health is one of the most necessary and basic elements of an employee safety and health program. Education and training are essential to communicate practical understanding to employees at Stephen F. Austin State University. A training program addresses specific safety and health responsibilities and provides risk prevention and loss control information for agency employees. Safety education and training is most effective when it is immediately incorporated into standard operating procedures, workplace practices, and individual job performance requirements. Education programs for safety and health require skill in the different teaching styles and learning processes required for each to be effective. Education is a process through which individuals gain new understanding, acquire new skills, or change attitudes and behaviors. Training is a specialized form of education that is focused upon developing skills. Although training incorporates educational theories, principles, and practices, it is performance-oriented. The goal of training is for participants to demonstrate something new or perform better than before. The program's effectiveness is measured by the participant's ability to demonstrate the desired skills. Persons involved in developing an education program for safety and health should be aware of adult learning styles. Adults learn best in an atmosphere that permits and encourages use of their existing knowledge to question, debate, and enter into discussion. Because of the distinct differences between adult and child learning styles, instructors of adult learners should focus on facilitating the exchange of ideas. Facilitation involves more than transmitting ideas; it involves helping the participants become self-directed. In addition to using appropriate teaching styles, specific needs of employees should be considered when designing a training program. The type of safety training should depend upon the size of the agency and its risk exposures. Each employee will have different training needs and the amount of training needed by each employee will depend upon the work performed and the risks associated with it. Training should be developed and targeted specifically for the employee, supervisor, and department. Training which is conducted as part of the Safety and Health Program should address: • • • • • •

Performance of specific job duties or tasks that stresses safe operations, quality and productivity; Information about agency standards, policies and procedures in regard to loss prevention, safety and health; Explanation of the reciprocal responsibilities of employees and the management of the agency; Identification of the risks and potentials for loss resulting from employees' actions; Discussion concerning employees' and supervisors' judgment when faced with novel or potentially hazardous conditions; and, Direction regarding employee or supervisory needs to communicate their concerns about loss control or health and safety matters.

Safety and Health Training Training is required for both supervisors and employees alike. The content of each training session will vary, but each session will attempt to teach the following: 1. The success of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Health and Safety Program depends on the actions of individual employees as well as a commitment by the University. 2. Each employee’s immediate supervisor will review the safe work procedures unique to that employee’s job, and how these safe work procedures protect against risk and danger. 3. Each employee will learn when personal protective equipment is required or necessary, and how to use and maintain the equipment in good condition. 4. Each employee will learn what to do in case of emergencies occurring in the workplace. Supervisors are also vested with special duties concerning the safety of employees. The supervisors are key figures in the establishment and success of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Health and Safety Program. They have primary responsibility for actually implementing the injury and illness prevention program, especially as it relates directly to the workplace. Supervisors are responsible for being familiar with safety and health hazards to which employees are exposed, how to recognize them, the potential effects of these hazards, the rules and procedures for maintaining a safe workplace, and shall investigate accidents.

Employee Responsibility for Training Teaching safety is a two-way street. Stephen F. Austin State University can promote and encourage safety, but only employees can practice safety. Safety education requires employee participation. Remember, the following general rules apply in all situations: 1. No employee should undertake a job that appears to be unsafe. 2. No employee is expected to undertake a job until he/she has received adequate safety instructions, and is authorized to perform the task. 3. No employee should use chemicals without fully understanding their toxic properties and without the knowledge required to work with these chemicals safely. 4. Mechanical safeguards must be kept in place. 5. Employees must report any unsafe conditions to the job site supervisor and the Safety Department. 6. Any work-related injury or illness must be reported to management and the Safety Department at once. 7. Personal protective equipment must be used when and where required. All such equipment must be properly maintained and fitted.

Employee Safety and Health Training Employee training is probably our most valuable accident prevention tool in developing employee awareness of safety. Everyone needs training at one time or other. New employees need training to start off on the right foot. Existing employees who are changing jobs require training to perform their new jobs more efficiently and safely. Training is extremely important for employees assigned to an activity requiring reaching, material handling, use of machinery, and repetitive motion. Supervisors need training in safety management techniques to serve as the role models and to ensure employees are performing their assigned tasks in a safe and efficient manner. Retraining of employees at various times is necessary to reinforce safety procedures and to maintain proficiency in safe task performance. The safety and health training component can be divided into three major categories: new employee orientation, specialized, and remedial training.

1. New Employee Orientation Training New employees will initially receive safety information from the Human Resources Department normally within the first week of employment. This training will briefly discuss accident/injury procedures, emergency procedures, and that additional new employee safety training will be required. After their initial safety briefing by Human Recourses all new employees are required to attend the Safety Department’s New Employee Orientation Training Program before they conduct a safety sensitive task or within the first 30 days of employment if no safety sensitive task is required of their job. This is the first opportunity to establish the expectations for SFA’s Safety and Health Program. As a minimum the following topics should be covered with new employees. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

SFA’s general safety rules and policies Employees safety responsibilities Management’s support for working safely Hazard Communication & chemical safety procedures Fire and emergency evacuation plan Workers’ compensation programs/benefits Procedures for reporting safety violations, accidents/incident, near-misses Proper lifting & ergonomic techniques Personal protective equipment Use of fire extinguishers Information about the employee safety committee

After completion of the general safety orientation class, the new hire’s supervisor will also provide additional site specific training applicable to safety sensitive tasks before the employee is allowed to conduct the task. This training will consist of: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Emergency plans, evacuation routes, assembly locations and emergency actions Rules for reporting safety violations, accidents, and near misses Safe operating procedures Location & use of emergency eyewash and safety shower stations (if applicable) Location and use of fire alarm pull boxes and fire extinguishers Use of tools & equipment, lifting & material handling equipment Machine & tool guards, emergency stop control locations and use Proper ergonomic procedures & lifting techniques for the tasks assigned Safety equipment & personal protective equipment. Hazard Communication: specific hazards for work area chemicals.

2. Specialized, High Interest Areas, or Specific Subject Matter Training - When an employee is transferred into a new workgroup or department and is assigned new job duties, specific job instruction training should be provided by the area supervisor or the Safety Department. Job instruction training should incorporate safety concepts into task training. The employee should show that he or she is able to perform the task safely before being allowed to perform the task without supervision. Remedial training at regular intervals is also desirable. Employees may also receive specialized or high interest safety training. This safety training will be presented during regularly scheduled staff meetings, where staff attendance is normally at a maximum. Specialized or high interest safety training normally includes topics such as office safety, prevention of repetitive injuries, hazard recognition, hazard avoidance, and may cover hazards encountered off the job. For example, seasonal concerns such as water hazards, excessive exposure to the sun, and winter hazards may not be directly work-related; however, regardless of where injured, an injured employee is not available for work. Specialized training normally requires more time and in some cases will need to be conducted by professional sources outside the agency. 3. Remedial Training - If it becomes evident that additional training is necessary, remedial training should be provided. The list below details areas that may require additional retraining for employees. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Review of Safety Policies and Rules Ergonomics Hazard Communication/Chemical Safety Emergency Action Procedures (including evacuation) Personal Protective Equipment Electrical Safe Work Practices Confined Space Entry & Rescue Respiratory Protection Bloodborne Pathogens Lockout/Tagout Procedures & Machine Guarding Hearing Conservation Fire safety/use of Fire Extinguishers Chemical, Biological, Radioactive Safety Proper Lifting Hazardous Waste Procedures and Disposal Asbestos Forklift Safety Fall Protection/Ladder Safety Agriculture Safety

Safety Meetings - Safety meetings are specifically designed to provide quick, concise, and focused presentation of safety and health related subjects to employees. Documentation and Record Keeping It is essential that all training be adequately documented. As a minimum the following information should be obtained and maintained on file (Appendix A: Safety Training/Meetings). Training records will be filled out by the employee’s immediate supervisor and filed in the Safety Department and in the Employees Personnel Record.

Effectiveness of Program After each training session conducted by the Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management Department, a training evaluation will be completed by each attendant in order to help us better evaluate the effectiveness of our training program. The training program will be improved based on this feedback.

APPENDIX A Stephen F. Austin State University SAFETY TRAINING/MEETINGS 1. DATE: 2. LEVEL: Agency____ Division____ Department ____ Section____ 3. SUBJECT: _________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ________ 4. MATERIAL COVERED _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ _______ 5. TRAINING AIDS/EQUIPMENT: _______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____ 6. PRESENTED BY: ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _______ 7. ATTENDEES' SIGNATURES: _________________________

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