Addressing diversity in safety training is crucial to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, feel included and receive effective training. This can help to reduce the risk of workplace injuries and create a better work environment for everyone.
There are several key areas that should be included when striving for inclusion:
- Understanding of safety processes
- Accessible Formats
- Multilingual Materials
- Understanding of workers’ rights
Understanding of safety processes
When addressing diversity in safety trainings, it is important to consider the different backgrounds, cultures, and unique circumstances of each individual. Avoid assumptions about participants’ backgrounds or experiences. Not everyone will have the same understanding of safety procedures, so it is critical to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Accessible Formats
Provide training materials in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities, such as braille, large print, or electronic formats compatible with screen readers. Interactive activities and discussions, as well as the use of visuals and videos, help to bridge some of these differences.
Multilingual Materials
Offer safety training materials in multiple languages to accommodate individuals who may not be fluent in the primary language of the training. According to OSHA, language is a factor in 25% of all work-related incidents. Employers should ensure materials are provided in multiple languages, if applicable, or provide interpreters or translators for non-English speaking employees. By providing training with relevant language and examples, the cost of both training and accidents can be reduced.
Understanding of workers’ rights
Incorporate cultural sensitivity training into safety programs to ensure that content is respectful and relevant to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This includes a clear understanding of the company’s policies on harassment and discrimination and how to report any incidents. Without inclusive training, incidents may go unreported, which can become a larger or more dangerous issue in the future.
Job-site safety is simple: If employees fully understand safety processes and expectations, they can perform their jobs more efficiently and safely.
In addition, providing the correct training minimizes the need for workers to repeat classes in order to understand the requirements, which reduces teaching costs and time away from the job.
By incorporating these strategies, safety-training programs can become more inclusive, respectful, and effective for a diverse workforce. This not only enhances safety outcomes but also contributes to a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
Gallagher Bassett’s Technical Services Division (GBTS) strives to make safety training inclusive to all who participate, and can provide training and other resources to clients in several languages.
Please contact our Training Academy at 718-389-2103 or at GB.GBTSNYC.TrainingInfo@gbtpa.com for more information.