Safety Officer Course: Debunking Myths About Workplace Safety

If you're considering taking up a safety officer course, it's important that you stay clued up on common misconceptions concerning workplace safety. From deeming health and safety practices as time-consuming and costly to viewing accidents as unavoidable, there are several myths about workplace safety.

As a health and safety training facility, we understand the importance of separating fact from fiction at EMCARE, especially when it comes to workplace safety. In this quick read, we'll be debunking some of the most common misconceptions concerning health and safety in the workplace.

Five Workplace Safety Myths

Workplace safety is crucial for any industry, whether you work a corporate or high-risk job. Health and safety measures should be implemented in every working environment, especially if you've finished your safety officer course training.

There are, however, several myths that persist and can undermine the effectiveness of workplace safety. Here is a breakdown of 6 common myths debunked for your benefit:

Myth 1: Safety Is A Matter Of Common Sense
As critical as health and safety culture is for any workspace, many believe that safety knowledge is common sense. While some may be more clued up on safety procedures than others, enforcing safety in the workplace requires formal training, such as a safety officer course. Without proper training, it can be difficult to detect potential hazards and avoid accidents at work. Additionally, you may not be able to assist during an emergency, which could cause the situation to escalate.

It's always better to gain formal training, which is why it's advised that you or someone at your place of work have completed a safety officer course. With this course, you can gain first-hand experience and training on how to perform proper risk assessment, identify hazards and be more prepared for emergencies.

Myth 2: It Is The Employer's Responsibility To Maintain Safety
Safety culture affects everyone in the workplace, including employees and higher-ups. Your manager may have legal and ethical responsibilities for keeping the work environment safe, but that responsibility also extends to workers. Employees need to be aware of safety measures so that they can prevent accidents from occurring and properly diffuse emergencies. Without safety training, your workers may be more prone to workplace accidents.

Whether you complete a safety officer course or have a safety officer at your workplace, your employees need to be clued up on essential safety practices to ensure the protection of those around them. By training your workers on the importance of workplace safety, they can report incidents or hazards confidently and follow the necessary safety measures in the case of an emergency.

Myth 3: Safety Is Unchanging
Some people believe that safety practices have remained static for the last few years and don't require proper training. If you ever completed a safety officer course, you'll know that this is simply untrue. There are always new trends and measures being implemented in the health and safety industry, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Safety procedures need to be regularly checked and updated, especially in the workplace. If your safety measures are out of date, it can result in more accidents, especially if your employees are working with technology or machinery. As safety is constantly evolving, it is essential that you take the necessary steps to revise your workplace procedures and ensure that they are up to date.

Myth 4: Safety Is Too Expensive And Time Consuming
No matter the industry you work in, safety should be top priority in every workplace. Often, enforcing safety procedures is considered to be a costly expense, despite how crucial it is for the protection of those within the workspace. Taking a safety officer course or investing in health and safety models is a valuable resource, especially if it prevents dangerous accidents that could injure workers and damage property.

Instead of pocketing some extra funds, rather take the necessary steps to keep your workplace safe from danger. With proper safety, you can save money in the long run by preventing emergencies, absenteeism and insuring your assets. Safety goes a long way, especially if you've completed safety officer training.

Myth 5: You Can't Avoid Accidents
While it is believed by many that workplace accidents cannot be avoided, this is false. If you're a safety officer or are completing your safety officer course, you'll know that most accidents can be avoided with proper training. One of the leading causes of accidents is a lack of awareness, which is why it is crucial that you and your employees understand what the proper safety precautions are.

With poor safety management comes the increased likelihood of accidents, especially if there are existing hazards in the workplace. To decrease the chance of emergencies and injuries from occurring, make sure that you and your team of workers can properly identify hazards and have the necessary training to eliminate these risks. Whether you sign up for a safety officer course or provide your employees with a safety training program, taking action makes a huge difference for preventing accidents in the workplace.

About EMCARE's Safety Officer Course

Our safety officer course has been especially designed to provide participants with the skills and training they need to enforce industry level standards of health and safety. Made up of 10 modules, our safety plus course package covers a range of essential topics, including all levels of first aid, identifying safety hazards and several more.

If you want to keep your place of work safe from potential dangers, consider taking up one of our health and safety courses today. To find out more about the modules we offer, contact us via our website and we'll be sure to get back to you.