HEALTH & SAFETY
1PREPARATION IS KEY
Te old adage of ‘fail to prepare, prepare
to fail’ carries significant weight when it comes to working at height. Preparation is critical, and it all begins with quality training, so consider your fall protection training carefully. Ask yourself: is it with a reputable company with a wealth of experience across many sectors? Is the firm best placed to prepare your workforce for working at height safely and efficiently? Remember, you can’t put a price on the safety of your workers so do your research. Invest in the best training available that will leave your workforce confident and competent.
2THEORY AND PRACTICAL: FINDING THE BALANCE
Some trainees are impatient to get going with the practical straight away. Others prefer ample time to carefully digest the theory and ask any questions they might have. Everyone learns differently, which is why it’s so important to strike a successful balance between the two. Training should be delivered in a manner that is effective for everyone.
3ADDED CONFIDENCE
Working at height safely and efficiently depends not only on skill but also on having the confidence to make the right decisions at the right time; whether that’s knowing the limitations of equipment and how to use it properly or deciding whether conditions are safe enough. Confident operatives will feel empowered to thoroughly and accurately assess their surroundings for safety risks, ask questions and raise potential safety concerns with their site or safety manager. Tis generally makes for a much safer working environment.
4CREATING SAFETY AMBASSADORS Get your team onboard. Work at height
operatives returning from fall protection training will feel more encouraged to share their safety knowledge with colleagues. Tis helps to not only foster a safer working environment but also discourage any semblance of a ‘no blame’ culture.
5DON’T FORGET THE WELLBEING BENEFITS
Although the main priority of quality fall protection training is to help prevent physical harm, the mental wellbeing benefits it offers should not be overlooked. Being asked to work at height without proper
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TOP TIPS 10 6 KEEP IT FUN! Something that’s often forgotten is the
value of keeping training fun and engaging. If you enjoy training, you will learn and retain more information. An enjoyable experience generally helps to nurture a positive change in attitude.
7 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Conducting training on site in conditions workers face on a day-to-day basis is preferential, but not always possible. Te next best thing is a state-of-the-art training centre with both indoor facilities protected from inclement weather, and outdoor facilities with multiple applications. Choose training providers that can offer both.
8 FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT
Support shouldn’t stop once training has finished. Follow-up should be a key feature of a training provider, from offering the option of return visits and continued support, to conducting site audits and
Phil Rashbrook shares his 10 top tips for success in fall protection training
planning, preparation and training in place can be extremely distressing. A well-trained, competent operative will likely make for a more confident, comfortable worker.
helping operatives to fully realise the benefits of the training.
9 THINK OF IT AS AN INVESTMENT Quality training not only makes for
a safer workforce but helps to provide operatives with the know-how to do their job better and more efficiently. And, in my experience, a more confident, competent workforce is usually a happier and more productive workforce. Te long-term business and wellbeing benefits of a well-trained workforce cannot be underestimated.
if you take away anything from reading this it should be this: whatever you do, do not take risks. Te safety and wellbeing of your workforce is too important for you not to provide them with the very best training, so don¹t delay. Do your research and choose a training provider you can depend upon.
10JUST GET IT DONE
Phil Rashbrook is European Training Manager for Fall Protection at MSA Safety.
www.msasafety.com
My other nine tips are important, but
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