WorkSafeBC recently assessed a $150,000 fine to a major oil and gas producer for circumstances relating to a worker fatality in 2005 (see article in WorkSite News).  Among the deficiencies noted was the ineffectiveness of worker orientation, citing a 23-minute general safety video as inadequate to address the specific issues the crew were dealing with. "There is no process to verify that the workers understood the information provided during the orientation," the report said.

This judgement sets a new orientation precedent (or verifies an earlier one):
  1.  Safety orientations are required for the specific hazards that are likely to be encountered.
  2.  A knowledge assessment must be performed for each training element.
  3.  Records must be kept of all safety orientations.

I believe this spells the end for orientation booklets, DVD's, and even website videos.  Why?  Because they can't meet criteria 1, 2 or 3 above.

I also believe orientations will no longer be single 20 to 30 minutes presentations, but rather they will be broken up into dozens of individual modules. Advanced Safety Management Systems, like SAFETYSYNC, have integrated e-learning components with hundreds of individual lessons.  If you want certain workers to have training on wildlife awareness or off-highway driving, it can be accomplished in just a few clicks.

We're talking with a handful of prime contractors that acknowledge the shortcomings of the existing orientations, but are a bit unclear as to how to proceed.  We are in the process of building an orientation module for our Safety Management System, which think will satisfy the above criteria, and will not be cost or time prohibitive.  As always, any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.