The Benefits of Training for Employees

Safety Culture

When new employees join a company, they should be given an immediate sense that the organisation places a high priority on maintaining a positive safety culture in the workplace. One way to do this is to have everyone, from low to senior level workers, participate in safety orientation programmes. Employees should also learn about safety training through detailed policies and procedures laid out by the company.

Addressing Weaknesses

Most employees have some weaknesses in their workplace skills. A training programme allows you to strengthen those skills that each employee needs to improve. A development program brings all employees to a higher level so they all have similar skills and knowledge. This helps reduce any weak links within the company who rely heavily on others to complete basic work tasks. Providing the necessary training creates an overall knowledgeable staff with employees who can take over for one another as needed, work on teams or work independently without constant help and supervision from others.

Improved Employee Performance

Employees who receive the necessary training are better able to perform their jobs. They become more aware of safety practices and proper procedures for basic tasks. The training may also build the employees confidence because they have a stronger understanding of the industry and the responsibilities of their job. This confidence may push them to perform even better and think of new ideas that help them excel. Continuous training also keeps your employees on the cutting edge of industry developments. Employees who are competent and on top of changing industry standards help your company hold a position as a leader and strong competitor within the industry.

Consistency

A structured training and development programme ensures that employees have a consistent experience and background knowledge. The consistency is particularly relevant for the company's basic policies and procedures. All employees need to be aware of the expectations and procedures within the company. This includes safety, discrimination and administrative tasks. Putting all employees through regular training in these areas ensures that all staff members at least have exposure to the information.

Employee Satisfaction

Employees with access to training and development programmes have the advantage over employees in other companies who are left to seek out training opportunities on their own. The investment in training that a company makes shows the employees that they are valued. The training creates a supportive workplace. Employees may gain access to training they wouldn't have otherwise known about or sought out themselves. Employees who feel appreciated and challenged through training opportunities may feel more satisfaction toward their jobs.

MAKING MOCKERY OF SAFETY SLOGANS

NOT ABIDING BY YOUR GOAL!

NOT A GOOD WAY TO BEGIN!

NOT THINKING AT ALL! 

ARE YOU SURE?

STRESS - INTERESTING FACTS AND HOW TO MANAGE IT

Stress is the human body’s natural response to any change in the environment that requires an action, reaction, or adjustment to what’s normal. How a person handles it very much defines stress for that person.

Here are interesting facts about stress:

1. According to an opinion poll, the major cause for stress in nearly all countries surveyed is money.

2. Bringing up a family in a highly developed and urbanized city – where everyone has to put up with the high costs of living, rising crime rate, traffic congestion and air pollution, is highly stressful.

3. Stress is one of the main factors causing insomnia and other sleep disorders. When stressors are present, the body naturally heightens its response system, thus, leading to wakefulness.

4. Stress causes chest pain, high cholesterol, cardiac problems, depression, and a host of assorted problems. It is not the culprit that causes gray hair; but it does cause hair loss.

5. A stressor, the stimulus that causes stress which can be real or imagined, can affect a person in a short term (acute) or over long periods (chronic).

6. Stress poses a great threat for diabetes and heart attack by altering blood sugar levels. This can cause fatigue, impulsive mood changes, and hyperglycemia.

7. Reaction to stress makes the blood thicker and more viscous which can lead to a blood clot. Powerful hormones, intended for urgent situations only, flood the brain and can kill healthy brain cells.

8. Stress triggers blood vessels to close, thereby reducing profuse bleeding from a flesh wound. The term stress means to draw tight, which originated from the Latin word stringere.

9. Extremely loud noises can cause acoustic stress that can spark off a spell of Long QT Syndrome – a heart disorder.

10. Stress is interconnected with the topmost causes of death globally: accidents, cancer, heart disease, suicide, lung disorders, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Managing Stress

1. Laughter is usually the best natural medicine. It lowers levels of cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine, which are stress-aggravating hormones; and it releases feel-good hormones, such as, dopamine. 

2. Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health.

3. Eat healthy. Avoid too much sugar. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

4. Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest.

5. Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.

6. Maintain a positive attitude. Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

7. Ask yourself what you can do about the sources of your stress. Think through the pros and cons. Take action where you can.

8. Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head.

9. Chewing gum eases, not only the jaw, but stress as well. Ancient Mayans and Greeks chomped on resin gum; stress sure had been around a long time.

BENEFITS OF ISO 9001 QMS CERTIFICATION

1.  Increased Efficiency

Companies that go through the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standards certification process have given a lot of thought to their processes and how to maximize quality and efficiency. Once certified for QMS, the processes are established and guidelines put in place for anyone to follow easily, making training, transitions, and trouble-shooting easier.

2.  Increased Revenue

Studies have shown that ISO QMS certified companies experience increased productivity and improved financial performance, compared to uncertified companies.

3.  International Recognition

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is recognized worldwide as the authority on quality management.

4.  Employee Morale

Defined roles and responsibilities, accountability of management, established training systems and a clear picture of how their roles affect quality and the overall success of the company, all contribute to more satisfied and motivated staff.

5.  Customer Satisfaction

Client confidence is gained because of the universal acceptance of the ISO standards. Customer satisfaction is ensured because of the benefits of ISO 9001 QMS to company efficiency, consistency and dedication to quality service.

6.  Factual Approach to Decision Making

The ISO 9001 QMS standard sets out clear instructions for audits and process reviews that facilitate information gathering and decision making based on the data.

7.  Improvement Processes

The ISO 9001 QMS outlines audit processes, management review and improvement processes based on collected data. Improvements are carefully planned and implemented based on facts, using a system of documentation and analysis, to ensure the best decisions are made for your company.

8.  Supplier Relationships

Mutually beneficial supplier relationships are one of the key attractions to ISO certification. Following the processes for documentation and testing ensure quality raw materials go into your production system. The process also requires thorough evaluation of new suppliers before a change is made and/or consistency with respect to how and where orders are placed.

9.  Consistency

One of the foundations of ISO; All processes from research and development, to production, to shipping, are defined, outlined and documented, minimizing room for error. Even the process of making changes to a process is documented, ensuring that changes are well planned and implemented in the best possible way to maximize efficiency.

10.  Documentation

The ISO QMS standard requires documentation of all processes and any changes, errors and discrepancies. This ensures consistency throughout production and accountability of all staff. This also guarantees traceable records are available in case of non-compliant products or raw materials.

Key Facts About Safety Management System (SMS)

What is a Safety Management System (SMS)?

A safety management system is a series of defined, organization-wide processes that provide for effective risk-based decision making related to your daily business.

What does the SMS focus on?

SMS focuses on maximizing opportunities to continuously improve the overall safety of an organisation.

What are the roles and responsibilities within the SMS?  

The top management is accountable for establishing the SMS and allocating resources to support and maintain an effective SMS.

Management is responsible for implementing, maintaining and adhering to SMS procedures in their area.

Employees are responsible for identifying hazards, reporting them and maintaining the SMS procedures within the workplace.

How will SMS benefit your organization?

1. Provides for more informed decision-making

2. Improves safety by reducing risk of accidents

3. Provides for better resource allocation that will result in increased efficiency and reduced costs

4. Strengthens corporate culture

5. Demonstrates corporate due-diligence.

Ergonomics in the Workplace

Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Ergonomics aims to improve workspaces and environments to minimise risk of injury or harm. So as technologies change, so too does the need to ensure that the tools we access for work, rest and play are designed for our body’s requirements.

Here are five of the proven benefits of a strong workplace ergonomics process:

1. Ergonomics increases productivity. The best ergonomic solutions will often improve productivity. By designing a job to allow for good posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches, the workstation becomes more efficient.

2. Ergonomics reduces costs. By systematically reducing ergonomic risk factors, you can prevent costly musculoskeletal disorders.

3. Ergonomics improves quality. Poor ergonomics leads to frustrated and fatigued workers that don’t do their best work. When the job task is too physically taxing on the worker, they may not perform their job like they were trained.

4. Ergonomics improves employee engagement. Employees notice when the company is putting forth their best efforts to ensure their health and safety. If an employee does not experience fatigue and discomfort during their workday, it can reduce turnover, decrease absenteeism, improve morale and increase employee involvement.

5. Ergonomics creates a better safety culture. Ergonomics shows your company’s commitment to safety and health as a core value. The cumulative effect of the previous four benefits of ergonomics is a stronger safety culture for your company. Healthy employees are your most valuable asset; creating and fostering the safety & health culture at your company will lead to better human performance for your organization.

FATAL ACCIDENTS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!

Child endangerment!

 Brick wall on bike!

Digging his own grave?

 Deathly delivery?

 Human safety harness?