Study shows only 1 in 5 new workers receives safety training
A study done by Ontario鈥檚 (IWH) in conjunction with Statistics Canada has shown that only one in five Canadian workers reports receiving safety training in his/her first year on the job. Additionally, workers in high-risk demographics (younger workers and those in physically demanding jobs) receive no more training than normal employees do.
The study, authored by Dr. Peter Smith and Dr. Cameron Mustard, both IWH scientists, was designed to assess safety training for new workers on the job.
鈥淏etween 75-80 percent of workers don鈥檛 receive information on how to do their jobs safely,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a problem in industries where there are a high number of hazards.鈥�
The study sampled nearly 60,000 respondents, approximately 10 percent of whom had been with their employer for less than a year. Statistics Canada corresponded with approximately 95 percent of eligible workplaces to obtain information.
Quebec scored lowest nationwide in employee safety training rates, with only approximately 10 percent of employees reporting on-the-job training. This compares with a national average of 21 percent. Manitoba scored highest in training rates, with an overall 34 percent of respondents reporting on-the-job training.
The study also found that employers who offered benefits were more likely to train new employees.
While we know that any training is better than no training, there are still few universal guidelines as to the amount of employee training necessary. At this point, it鈥檚 still unknown as to whether low training rates are because employers don鈥檛 perceive them to be necessary or because of a lack of employee participation.
鈥淲e know people need training, but we don鈥檛 really have any guidelines as to what type and how much training,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭he research into the effectiveness of training and workplace interventions is developing and becoming more rigorous.鈥�
