Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
Issue link: https://digital.thesafetymag.com/i/1262450
F E A T U R E 28 www.thesafetymag.com/ca BACK TO THE CLASSROOM What are the keys to a good, nay, great health and safety training program? And what does the future of safety training look like? In this issue, COS is getting back to basics SAFETY training is where everything starts. It is the beginning, the first step an aspiring safety professional will make in the OH&S sector. There are many moving parts to a good health and safety program. There are various places, and various ways, to learn about occupational health and safety. The first thing that springs to mind might be a training course or a university diploma. Becoming a safety professional is becoming more and more of a career choice, and, in recent years, more and more options are available to those wishing to pursue this path. Leigh Ann Blunt, school chair and safety professor with the University of Central Missouri, says there are some differences between a university program and a training program. But, in both, you COS columnist, wrote a piece entitled "8 elements of an effective training program." Since then, the article has become one of our most-read stories and a reference that OH&S specialists keep coming back to consult because it is an essential part of the industry and because an effective training program makes all the different between a good OH&S specialist and a great one. It has are "taking a look at new things around the corner — you can't do training about something that's going to be replaced." For those looking to create training programs, it can be a bit difficult to know exactly where to start and which components should build an effective program. In 2014, Glyn Jones, a partner at Calgary-based EHS Partnerships and a been a few years since the piece came out, and a lot has changed since then — even in the past few months! COS caught up with Jones and a few other specialists for an update. So, what are the key features of a good training program? Here are nine key things that should be considered for a successful health and safety training program. "Any good training program always includes some kind of knowledge check and skill check… This is to demonstrate that they have retained and can apply the knowledge." Dave Rebbitt, president of Rarebit Consulting Take 5: simple to do • fun • healthy •adaptable • personalized Notice the NOW Resspond to what is present in your current situation and internal experiences (thoughts, emotions, body sensations) with a sense of openness, patience, and jusdgement. Now you are ready to take a wise step forward. Notice your BREATH Begin with one complete breath, noticing the breath at the Belly, Chest or Nose. Lengthen and deepen the breath so each inhale and exhale is about five seconds. Now, take five breaths this way. Notice the CUE Choose a cue in your daily life that reminds you to Take 5. Your cue can be anything: having a drink of coffee or water, seeing a specific person, sitting down at your desk. When you notice your cue, you flip the switch from mindless to mindful. Notice the NEW Focus on something you weren't paying attention to a moment ago. Bring your attention out of autopilot and into your senses. Become aware of sound, taste, touch, smell or sight. Notice the BODY Sitting or standing, bring awareness to your posture. Press into your feet, seat and hands while you lift and lengthen up the spine, roll back your shoulders and align your ears over your shoulders. TOOLS TO TAKE 5 Source: Mindwell-U