The Eight Essentials of Mastering On-the-Job Training

DALLAS, Texas – A well-designed on-the-job training program is essential for ensuring that employees acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively and safely. This is especially important in the pest control industry.

The pest control industry has a lot of exposure to safety hazards in the common tasks technicians perform every day. Common exposures like checking and installing bait stations, performing applications with a backpack sprayer, pulling hoses, climbing ladders, or using extension poles to remove spider webs or stinging insect nests, carrying heavy items and crawling under things are the leading causes on-the-job injuries.

Many of these injuries can be avoided by establishing a consistent and comprehensive on-the-job training program that demonstrates safe work methods.

© PestSure

“On-the-job training It is an important part of not only achieving technical proficiency but establishing safe work habits as well,” said Linda Midyett, vice president and loss control director for PestSure. “To be successful, on-the-job training must be repetitive, data-based and tailored to the individual employee.”

To help pest control professionals design effective on-the-job training programs, PestSure recommends including the following eight essential elements:

1. Set Clear Objectives: The program should have clear and specific goals and objectives that align with the company's overall strategy (and address their biggest exposures) and the individual employee's role.
2. Use A Structured Approach: The training program should be structured and organized to help employees progress through the training modules in a logical sequence, building upon their existing knowledge and skills.
3. Get Out in the Field: The training program should provide many opportunities for employees to practice, apply and demonstrate what they have learned in a real-world setting, not the classroom.
4. Feedback and Evaluation: After you show them how to perform the task, have them show you and provide feedback to help them understand how they are performing and where they need to improve
5. Flexibility: The program should be flexible and adaptable to meet the individual learning styles and needs of employees. Engage the learner and figure out what they know and what they need to know.
6. Provide Resources and Support: Employees should have access to the resources and support they need to succeed, such as job aids, manuals, and mentors.
7. Secure Buy In: Get technicians interested in the topic, let them know why it is important for them to learn about the topic and how it will protect them on the job. Also, review past incidents with employees – everyone thinks it will not happen to them or coworkers.
8. Keep it Current: The program should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it remains current and effective.
   

By incorporating these essential elements into an on-the-job training program, pest control companies can help ensure that their employees receive the training and support they need to perform their jobs “safely” and contribute to the success of the organization.