For companies in high-risk industries looking to prioritise employee safety and wellbeing, Ruan Janse Van Rensburg, Partner at KBC Health & Safety says hazard parks offer a practical solution. A constant challenge for many organisations lies in ensuring their employees are not only aware of safety protocols but are also equipped to handle real-life hazardous scenarios.
Traditional safety training often falls short as it leans heavily on theoretical knowledge, leaving a gap between classroom learning and on-site challenges, says Janse Van Rensburg. “This is where hazard parks play a practical role, providing a hands-on learning experience that contributes to knowledge retention and supports improved safety and increased compliance.”
Bridging the gap
Traditional safety training usually focuses mainly on theoretical information, providing essential information through facilitated workshops and presentations. Experiential learning is important in preparing employees for real-life scenarios they are likely to encounter in the workplace. Janse Van Rensburg explains that hazard parks provide a controlled environment where employees can touch, feel, and interact with potential hazards. This hands-on approach allows for a deeper understanding of the risks involved and presents a platform for employees to ask questions and gain clarification in a safe environment.
Customised training
He says generic hazard parks address the common risks faced on many high-risk worksites. However, KBC recognises that every worksite presents its own specific hazards and challenges and, where necessary, engages with clients to custom-build hazard parks related to the particular prevalent risks and lost time injuries.
He highlights the benefits that hazard parks offer.
- Involving personnel from all departments in the design of a customised hazard park makes use of their respective skills sets and ensures relevance across the organisation. This motivates buy-in across the board and ensures the hazard park is recognised as an integral part of the overall safety programme.
- Applying practical learning to theoretical concepts improves knowledge retention.
- Return visits to hazard park stations contribute positively to continuous learning.
- The long-term return on investment can be measured by improved statistics in terms of reduced lost time injuries and near misses, and an overall improvement in safety culture.
KBC assists organisations in the implementation of this learning methodology, working towards a sustainable safety cycle.
For more information visit: www.kbcsa.co.za
