Importance of Staff Training for Safety

⚡I am just going to say it: more often than not, organizations in the biotech industry allow training to take a back seat to immediate production demands. But here's the reality... neglecting training and education today leads to costly errors tomorrow. 🌟 Lessons from High-Reliability Industries: Industries like aviation, nuclear power, and healthcare have learned this the hard way. By investing heavily in training and human performance, they've not only reduced errors but also enhanced operational efficiency and safety. *Aviation introduced Crew Resource Management (CRM) training, drastically reducing communication-related errors and fostering a culture of teamwork and safety. *Nuclear Power implemented rigorous operator training and error prevention tools, leading to a significant reduction in incidents and unplanned shutdowns. *Healthcare adopted simulation-based training for surgical teams, resulting in fewer errors and improved patient outcomes. 🚧 Why is there resistance? Despite these clear benefits, here's what I have come to find: *Operational Pressure: Immediate production demands overshadow long-term training needs. *Perceived High Costs: Training is seen as expensive, with upfront costs and downtime being deterrents. *Short-Term Focus: Emphasis on immediate gains and quarterly targets leads to deprioritization of continuous education. *Cultural Resistance: Established routines and a one-time training mindset create resistance to ongoing learning. *Regulatory Compliance Mindset: Companies often prioritize meeting regulatory training requirements over broader employee development. *Lack of Visible Outcomes: The long-term benefits of training are not immediately quantifiable, leading to skepticism. *Leadership Gaps: Insufficient leadership advocacy for training signals that it is not a priority. 💡 So what do we need to do? *Align Training with Strategic Goals: View training as an essential part of achieving operational excellence, not just a compliance requirement. *Embed Training into Daily Operations: Make training a regular, integral part of the workday. Short, focused sessions can be just as impactful as longer courses. *Lead by Example: Senior leaders must visibly prioritize and participate in training initiatives, sending a clear message that continuous learning is non-negotiable. *Invest in Sustainable Training Infrastructure: Modernize your training methods—think e-learning platforms, VR simulations, and dedicated training time. *Create a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Foster an environment where learning is ongoing, and where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, not just failures. 🚀 Incorporating regular training into the workday = building a resilient, high-performing workforce capable of dealing with the complexities of biotech manufacturing. The investments we make in our people today will drive our success tomorrow and it's time we make training a top priority in our industry. #manufacturing #training

🚨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ≠ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 🚨 Just because someone sees how a task is done doesn’t mean they’re trained to do it well. In manufacturing, we often assume that if there’s a work instruction and a quick demo, the job is trained. But here’s what we’re overlooking 👇 ✅ Work instructions tell 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 to do 🧠 Training builds the 𝑤ℎ𝑦, ℎ𝑜𝑤, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 to do it—especially when things don’t go as planned What’s often missing? The  𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 that make work instructions meaningful and usable in the real world: 🔧 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 (e.g., torque, flow, tolerance) A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, 2018) found that inadequate technical knowledge contributes to over 23% of manufacturing errors. 🛠️ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 (how one step affects the whole system) Research in the International Journal of Production Research (2016) highlights that process awareness reduces error propagation and improves overall system efficiency. 🧯 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬  (not just rules, but the why behind them) OSHA reports that effective safety training reduces workplace injuries by up to 60% (OSHA, 2022). Understanding the “why” behind safety rules increases compliance and hazard recognition. ❓ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 A Deloitte study (2020) found that manufacturers with strong problem-solving training experienced 30% fewer production stoppages. 📄 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝/𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 A study in Manufacturing & Service Operations Management (2019) showed that workers with higher technical literacy made 40% fewer documentation-related errors. 🤝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 The World Economic Forum (2023) lists communication and teamwork among the top skills needed for the future of manufacturing, directly linked to productivity and innovation. When we skip foundational training, we’re setting people up to rely on memory and mimicry—not mastery. Want employees who adapt, improve, and catch issues before they happen? 👉 Invest in real training—not just task demos. What foundational knowledge do you wish had been taught when you first started in your role? Let’s talk. #Manufacturing #TrainingAndDevelopment #AdultLearning #WorkforceDevelopment #LearningInTheFlowOfWork #Iopsychology #ContinuousImprovement #SkillsGap #WorkInstructions #ManufacturingExcellence, #OperationalExcellence, #LearningAndDevelopment, #SkillsDevelopment, #TrainTheTrainer, #AdultLearningTheory, #IOPsychology, #WorkforceDevelopment #FrontlineLeadership

Training and qualification pros: Keep this in mind. Company procedures tell individuals WHAT TO DO. Training shows them HOW TO DO IT. If something is in your procedures, but not your training, you're not teaching people how to do what you expect them to do, meaning, you're setting them up for failure. For example, if your emergency response procedures require employees to evacuate people a minimum of 300 feet upwind, but your training doesn't explain how to communicate the evacuation, how to determine wind direction or how to deal with non-compliant evacuees, you can expect evacuations to be conducted inconsistently, potentially endangering employees and the public. A good rule of thumb is that if it's important enough to be in company procedures, it's important enough to be addressed in training.

The Biggest Workplace Safety Mistake You Don’t Want to Make. When was the last time you reviewed your safety procedures? If you had to think about it, it might have been too long. One of the biggest mistakes I see in Environmental Health & Safety profession is reactive safety—only addressing hazards after an incident occurs. I live by the statement “be proactive and not reactive”. Proactive safety = fewer injuries, fewer fines, stronger, and a more productive workforce. Here are 3 simple ways to shift from reactive to proactive safety: ✅ Employee Training – A well-trained team is your first line of defense. Comprehensive and engaging employee training provides the essential skills and knowledge needed to maintain a safe workplace. It empowers employees to recognize hazards and respond effectively to emergencies. Ongoing training initiatives, including refresher courses and hands-on exercises, ensure that safety protocols remain top of mind. ✅ Leadership Buy-In – Safety culture starts at the top. If leadership isn’t invested, employees won’t be either. Leadership buy in is crucial for cultivating a strong and enduring safety culture. When management actively participates in safety initiatives and commits resources to these efforts, it sets a powerful example. This top-level commitment motivates employees to prioritize safety and fosters a cohesive, proactive approach to risk management. ✅ Regular Safety Audits – Identify risks before they turn into accidents. Regular safety audits are proactive evaluations designed to spot hazards before they escalate into serious incidents. They involve detailed inspections of equipment, work areas, and processes to ensure all safety measures are in place. This early detection allows for swift corrective actions and minimizing the risk of accidents. What’s one safety challenge you’ve faced at work? Drop it down in the comments below! If you're looking for actionable safety strategies, I'm currently working on something! Keep an eye out for free resources designed to boost your team’s safety knowledge and skills, ensuring a more effective and secure workforce! #WorkplaceSafety #ProactiveSafety #EHS #SafetyCulture #Leadership

Tragic Loss in Atlanta: Another heartbreaking incident—this time in downtown Atlanta, where a construction worker lost his life after falling from the 19th floor of a building. These stories should never be the norm, yet they continue to happen. As leaders, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to protect our teams? Safety isn’t just a box to check—it’s a responsibility. Here are three critical safety measures that every organization should reinforce TODAY: -Comprehensive Fall Protection Training – Ensure every worker is equipped with the right training on harnesses, guardrails, and proper use of fall protection systems. Awareness and preparation save lives. -Regular Equipment & Site Inspections – A single faulty anchor point or missing safety rail can be the difference between life and death. Make inspections a daily priority. -Culture of Accountability – Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Encourage workers to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. A strong safety culture starts with leadership. No project deadline or cost-saving measure is worth a life. Let’s make sure these tragedies become less frequent, not more. #WorkplaceSafety #ConstructionSafety #Leadership #SafetyFirst #Teamwork

People die everyday. Why even talk about it, right? If you agree, you should stop reading here. 😉 If you disagree, read on! Recently, a tragic excavation-related fatality occurred when a 37-year-old worker was killed in a trench collapse during a wastewater line installation. Despite being warned and cited repeatedly for safety violations, the employer failed to implement required protections. Incident Overview The worker was working in an excavation trench without adequate safety measures, such as a trench box or shoring systems. The trench walls collapsed trapping and fatally injuring the worker. OSHA's Findings and Citations The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated the incident and found several critical failures: 1. Lack of Protective Systems: OSHA determined that no trench protection, such as benching, sloping, shoring, or shielding, was in place. 2. Hazardous Environment: Material and spoil (dirt) piles were allowed to remain too close to the trench edge, increasing the weight on the edge of the excavation. 3. Failure to Provide Safe Egress: The trench did not have an appropriate means for workers to enter or exit safely, violating OSHA's regulations. These citations resulted in proposed penalties exceeding $260,000. Aftermath and Lessons for Leadership Following the incident, the company faced not only financial penalties but also the burden of dealing with the reputational and emotional fallout. This tragedy left the worker's family, colleagues, and the community grieving over a preventable death. It underscores the importance of stringent adherence to safety protocols, especially in high-risk environments like trenching and excavation. Key Lessons for Other Companies 1. Proactive Safety Culture: This incident highlights the need for leaders to foster a proactive safety culture where protective systems are not seen as optional, but mandatory, particularly when dealing with high-hazard tasks. 2. Investment in Training and Safety Systems: Investing in proper trench safety equipment, such as trench boxes or shoring systems, can mean the difference between life and death. Business owners must also ensure that workers are trained to recognize and mitigate excavation hazards. 3. Accountability and Regular Audits: Leaders should implement regular audits and inspections, ensuring that safety measures are consistently applied. Assigning a competent person to oversee trench safety can prevent potential hazards from turning into deadly incidents. 4. Learning from Past Mistakes: The company had been cited multiple times for similar violations reflects the dangers of complacency. It is essential for companies to learn from past infractions and address them swiftly, rather than ignoring repeated warnings. Sharing details of this incident with the goal of helping prevent similar incidents in the future. Let's Not Meet By Accident! #business #sharing #insurance #riskmanagement #construction

#Ensuring_Proper_Training_and_Quality_Control_in_Aircraft_Maintenance I recently encountered a video showing aircraft technicians using chocks to forcefully install a flap fairing. This method is entirely unacceptable as it risks causing structural damage to the aircraft. This incident underscores the critical importance of proper training for technicians and strict quality control measures. Adequate training not only ensures safety and prevents damage but also maintains the high performance standards required in aviation. It is essential that all personnel understand and adhere to approved procedures rather than resorting to unsafe practices. Moreover, the performance differences between employing well-trained, experienced staff versus cheaper, less-qualified labor cannot be overstated. While cost savings might be achieved in the short term with less expensive staffing, the potential risks—including structural damage, increased maintenance costs, and compromised safety—can lead to far greater expenses and reputational harm for the company in the long run. It is imperative for the industry to prioritize investment in comprehensive training programs and maintain rigorous quality control. Only through these measures can we ensure that maintenance procedures meet the highest standards of safety and performance.

In safety training, emphasizing the 'why' behind procedures is crucial for fostering genuine understanding and behavioral change. When workers grasp the reasons for safety measures—such as how wearing a “helmet with a chinstrap fastened” can prevent fatal injuries—they're more likely to adhere to them consistently. This approach moves beyond mere compliance, encouraging workers to think critically and take personal responsibility for their safety and that of their colleagues and without focusing on the 'why,' safety training risks becoming a rote exercise, missing the opportunity to instill a culture of vigilance and proactive risk management. Prioritizing the 'why' ensures that safety protocols are followed and truly understood and valued. #GilbaneCares #BuildingMoreThanBuildings

Another sad incident has occurred involving a Hawaii security guard. For security industry workers, the environments they work in are becoming more dangerous as face to face encounters while enforcing rules and responding to complaints present greater risk for aggressive threatening behaviors and physical assault. The key to staying safe is training! There should be basic foundational security training provided by security employers and guard agencies before a security employee is ever assigned work that specifically addresses how they can keep safe and appropriately protect themselves. I'm not just talking about on-the-job training, but real meaningful training that focuses on situational awareness, de-escalation, managing aggressive behaviors, protective strategies involving defensive positioning, disengagement and physical protective movements. The sad reality is that this type of training is rarely offered by security employers and guard agencies. Within the last few years, we have had two industry security officers and one resident manager dealing with aggressive and assaultive people die while attempting to perform their duty. Security employers and guard agencies need to make investments in their workforces by providing professional expertise training that can make a difference and keep employees safe. This is an employer's responsibility! PEACE AND SAFETY THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND PREPARATION