Mind the Safety Training Gap

Safety training reduces the number of workplace accidents and saves lives, but 50 percent of businesses say implementing training is their biggest roadblock to improving workplace safety.

In Ontario, after the new mandatory working at heights training standard was implemented in 2017, fall-from-heights injuries decreased by 19 percent. This is compared to other provinces, which didn’t implement a mandatory training standard and saw their injuries decrease by only six percent.

According to a recent survey, almost 50 percent of businesses say they are struggling to provide the right training due to lack of time. That number rises to 55 percent for large employers (over 500 employees). Businesses pointed to four other barriers as well:

1. Confusing health and safety rules and regulations

• 43% of medium-sized businesses

• Over 1/3 of large and small businesses

2. Understaffing

• 35% of medium-sized businesses

• 31% of large businesses

• 20% of small businesses

3. Lack of buy-in from workers

• 30% of all businesses

• 42% of medium-sized businesses

4. Lack of buy-in from senior management

• 20% of all businesses

• 32% of medium-sized businesses

The good news is that most companies do conduct at least some health and safety training, with 74 percent of companies providing training. That number falls to 70 percent for medium-sized employers and 59 percent for microbusinesses (2 to 9 employees). Unfortunately, one-third of respondents still thought that health and safety rules were a cost that did not provide much payback.

The survey was commissioned by Threads of Life, which advocates for families impacted by workplace injuries and deaths and which CLAC has partnered with.

Sources: ohscanada.com, thesafetymag.com, threadsoflife.com