Implementing Safety Training In The Retail Industry Via eLearning

Initially, you wouldn’t think that the retail industry needs safety training due to the lack of any obvious hazards. However, the risks are high nonetheless, and pose serious dangers to the health and safety of the employees and customers.

These risks include damage to the spine due to sitting in the same posture for hours at a stretch as well as manual handling of heavy goods, slips or falls from ladders, fires as well as cuts from tools such as box cutters, among others. The retail industry requires training that is quick and easily accessible due to a number of reasons, including the fact that they need to onboard regular employees and seasonal employees on a frequent basis, the fact that they need their employees to work continuously, and the fact that they cannot afford to lose a lot of time in training their employees.

All of this culminates at the fact that only eLearning or digital learning methods can provide all types of training to the employees in the retail industry, including safety training.

In this article, let us discuss how safety training can be implemented in a retail organization via eLearning.

1. Use Storytelling

If the employees think that the organization is just implementing safety training in order to comply with regulations, or if they find the training boring, they will be less inclined to take it seriously. Using storytelling in eLearning ensures that training is engaging to the learners, and that they have an emotional connection with it. The stories should drive home the point that the safety training is for the safety of the employees, so that they can go home safely to their loved ones at the end of the day, and that something as harmless-sounding as bad posture can lead to grave consequences in the future. You can even use humour in your stories to better connect with the employees.

2. Use Video-Based Learning

Video-based learning is the most popular method of training employees these days in various organizations across the world due to the fact that videos are highly engaging, as well as their ability to explain a concept step-by-step by combining visuals, text and audio. Add to the fact that most modern users already consume most content on the internet in a video format, it is easy to see why video-based learning is a really effective way to train employees on safety tips such as proper posture while sitting or when lifting heavy loads, what to do in case of a fire, and spatial awareness when climbing up and down ladders.

3. Use Microlearning

Microlearning is a digital learning strategy that has spread like wildfire within learning and development circles, and is being increasingly used by corporate organizations hailing from various industries to train employees. Microlearning works incredibly well for a number of industries, including retail, due to the fact that the modules and courses created using this strategy are short and focused, and thus do not require much time from employees to be consumed. Employees can use microlearning modules to learn a skill or in this case, safety tips or regulations before attempting to do something which might require it, or reinforce said tips or regulations as and when they like.

4. Use Mobile Learning

Microlearning just cannot do without mobile learning. If you want your employees to be able to access safety training modules and courses whenever and wherever they want, you need to deliver those modules and courses on their smartphones. Providing each employee with a computer to take eLearning courses can be a little difficult in the retail industry, but each employee is bound to have a smartphone. The organization just needs to invest in a cloud-based LMS (learning management system), and create responsive microlearning modules that can be accessed via smartphones. Couple that with engagement strategies like storytelling and video-based learning, and your employees will be well-versed in safety training in no time.

There are already a number of known global retail chains such as Walmart and Bloomingdale’s that use digital learning to train their employees in safety procedures and regulations. Retail organizations that wish to keep their employees safe, follow all safety compliance laws and be known for their amazing safety training should invest some time and money to plan and implement safety training via eLearning in their workplaces.

If you would like to learn more about how to build the most effective employee training strategy!

If you’d like to know more about how SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s mobile learning platform can help your internal training practices, get in touch at enquiries@edapp.com. You can also try SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s Mobile LMS and authoring tool for free by signing up here.