Why is employee training so important?
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that the health and safety of their employees or anyone else entering your workplace is protected. For example, an employer of a building company would be required to ensure that all its workers and sub-contractors were given appropriate training, supervision and instructions prior to commencing a job.
All employers must ensure that their employees are not only given the appropriate training, but also ensure they are competent to carry out the work they are undertaking. An employer of a building company can ensure that his employees and sub-contractors have the appropriate skills to work safely on the site by:
1. Providing a general safety induction (which provides information on safety policies and procedures);
2. Ensuring every worker has obtained their White Card (General construction induction training);
3. Providing site specific induction training, Tool Box talks and emergency response training;
4. Providing First Aid Training and Asbestos Awareness Training.
How can you find out if a worker is competent to perform their particular work activity?
You should follow the worker training process. Generally, there are 5 steps to the worker training process:
1. Identifying what skills are required;
2. Assess the current skills of the worker;
3. Identify what training the worker requires;
4. Provide the training; and
5. Evaluate the training provided.
All employers should keep evidence of the training and qualifications of their staff. This may be in the form of certificates of completion or competency, permits, licences etc.
If you require any further information in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Lawyers at The Quinn Group on (02) 9223 9166 or submit an online enquiry form today.
