Appropriate training about hazardous materials helps keep workplaces safer.
Hazardous materials are substances that have the potential to cause harmful effects to humans, animals and the environment. Accordingly, workplaces institute information systems that track safety data pertaining to hazardous materials, such as incidents of exposure. Employees must be trained on how the systems operate before they use them.
Purpose
Trainees are introduced to the topic of hazardous materials, and information about hazardous materials are reviewed at the beginning of the course. Trainees are reminded identify and recognize hazardous materials in the workplace, which must then be tracked in the information system.
Operation
Live demonstrations of how the system operates should be conducted for trainees. Demonstrations allow trainees to experience the system and ask questions along the way. Trainees learn about the color coding and symbols for various types of hazardous materials. For example, according to Bowling Green State University, flammable hazardous materials are coded red and health hazards are coded blue.
Effects
Information systems generate reports on hazardous materials for employers to study. Trending reports, for example, offer useful information on how many hazardous material incidents occurred in a year. Such statistics tell employers whether they are doing a good job of keeping the workplace safe, or if they need to enhance their safety initiatives due to an increase in hazardous materials incidents.
