As we’ve seen with the COVID-19 situation, circumstances can unexpectedly change, prompting businesses to quickly adapt to new safety practices to protect employees and maintain operations. 

Times like these put even the best safety plans to the test. And online training courses and resources have become an essential factor in the success of those plans. These online resources keep employees updated on and compliant with current health and safety practices, which is critical during emergencies. 

Here are some of the benefits of online training that make it a critical aspect of a comprehensive safety plan.

Support safety in times of uncertainty

Challenging circumstances can cause employees to change their work behaviors, take on new roles and responsibilities, and even require new certifications. And coordinating all those training needs can be tricky for safety managers, particularly if they can no longer conduct on-site and group programs.

Online training programs offer consistency when you’re faced with unknowns. Because the courses are web-based, they won’t be unexpectedly canceled, rescheduled, or relocated. With online training, workers have 24/7/365 access to all their required courses and can easily fit them into their schedules, even when times are tough. 

If employees need support beyond general safety training, companies can also use online platforms and learning management systems (LMS) to deliver customized courses that address their unique needs. This is especially useful during emergencies when businesses may need to prepare employees for site-specific challenges.

Allow instantaneous and remote access

Sometimes workers need training immediately — and online training is an excellent solution. Online courses are always available, don’t require an in-person instructor, and can be completed anywhere. 

Using online training, safety managers can train a large number of employees without worrying about scheduling conflicts or booking a meeting room or classroom. So whether team members are working from home or on-site, they can hop online to complete their training whenever it fits into their schedule. 

It’s not only the remote, instant access that makes online programs a great way to train workers quickly — these courses also eliminate common barriers with in-person learning. Online, employees can make their way through courses at a relaxed pace and in a quiet space of their choosing. So they’re less likely to get distracted, feel pressured to absorb information quickly. Plus, online training eliminates having to sit through off-topic questions and discussions. 

Keep employees engaged and compliant

When employees are working from home and experiencing personal hardships, they may find it challenging to stay engaged with their work — we’re seeing this now with the COVID-19 outbreak. And it may be more challenging for management to keep track of what training courses they’ve completed.

Learning management systems

With online training programs and a robust learning management system (LMS), managers can set training requirements for various departments, teams, and roles — and employees will receive automatic email reminders about what courses they need to complete. As employees progress, safety managers have easy access to staff credentials, compliance status, and other important training data. And all that information is digital to keep company records up to date.

Interested in online training for OSHA compliance and general health and safety topics? Contact us to learn more about the Drive EHS Learning Management System.