Training

In delivering training, each employee should be treated as if they are new to the workplace. A new role or new task will invariably present new hazards and risks, regardless of the employee’s past experience, skills or training. All employees, including young workers, must be made aware of the hazards involved in each new task and the appropriate control measures for safe work.

While you as an employer are legally responsible for ensuring that all employees receive adequate training, managers and supervisors are often responsible for the delivery of on-the-job training. You must ensure that employees can demonstrate competence before starting work and starting each new task.

For young workers in particular, you should:

• Incorporate basic health and safety into job training
• Tailor health and safety training to the workplace and the equipment, tools and work practices involved in the job

Determine how training should be tailored by talking to your young workers in addition to testing their skills.

• Tailor training to your young worker’s specific cultural, literacy and learning needs so that they receive the right message in a form that they understand.
  
  You may consider:
  • Providing written information that is in their preferred language or plain English and in clear print
  • Using bilingual staff or sign/language interpreters
  • Have information available in different forms, such as on disc or audio tape. 
    
• Check for understanding to ensure young workers are comfortable and competent with new procedures or equipment – only young workers who fully understand the task should do the work.