Practical Safety Training: Building Skills Through Workplace Learning
Practical safety training gives learners opportunities to apply knowledge, practice relevant tasks and receive feedback before capability is relied upon in the workplace. It is particularly important when safe performance depends on more than theoretical understanding.
What Is Practical Safety Training?
Practical safety training uses demonstration, exercises, simulations or supervised workplace practice to develop capability associated with real tasks.
The method should reflect the learning objective and should be conducted under suitable controls.
Build Practical Skills Systematically
Explain
Establish the relevant hazards, controls and expected performance.
Demonstrate
Show the task or technique correctly.
Practice
Allow supervised learner application.
Evaluate
Observe performance and provide feedback.
Control Risk During Practical Training
Training itself should not expose participants to uncontrolled hazards. Select appropriate environments, equipment, supervision and safeguards for practical activities.
Observe Performance, Not Attendance
Where practical capability matters, assessment should examine relevant performance. Successful attendance alone does not demonstrate that a learner can perform a task competently.
Reinforce Skills After Training
New skills may require continued supervision and practice after formal training. Workplace conditions should support the methods and controls learners were taught.
