Top 5 WHS Training Programs to Keep Your Workforce Safe

Not all work, health and safety training fits all. It needs to be diverse and adaptable to suit the unique risks faced by each individual role, from working from home, to working at a major event. Here are five essential WHS modules to add to your work health and safety course (if you haven’t already), addressing key safety concerns across a range of industries and work situations.

1. Anti-Bullying, Discrimination, and Harassment

This module is essential for every workplace, regardless of the role or location, as it empowers teams to create a safe and respectful environment. It should cover:

• Discrimination Prevention: Teach employees how to identify and prevent discriminatory behaviour.
• Harassment Awareness: Provide strategies for recognising and stopping workplace harassment.
• Bullying Prevention: Equip staff with tools to prevent and address bullying at work.
• Respect@Work Laws: Include updated guidance on the latest Respect@Work laws and Closing Loopholes legislation.

By completing this training, your workforce will be better prepared to foster a positive, compliant, and inclusive work culture.

2. Office Safety

Designed specifically for office environments, an office safety module should equip staff with the essential knowledge they need to minimise workplace hazards. Common office safety issues that it should address include:

• Slips, trips, and falls: These are usually caused by wet floors, cluttered walkways, or exposed cords. 
• Ergonomic injuries: This can pose significant risks to the physical health of workers, as prolonged sitting and poor workstation setups can lead to long-term musculoskeletal disorders. 
• Inadequate lighting: This can cause long-term vision problems and lead to an increase in accidents. 
• Poor indoor air quality: This may lead to respiratory issues and allergies. 
• Fire hazards: Fire hazards arise from overloaded electrical outlets and improper storage of flammable materials, necessitating fire safety training. 
• Electrical hazards: This can be a result from faulty wiring and equipment, leading to serious risks including electric shock and fires. 
• Lifting techniques: Improper lifting techniques can lead to physical injuries, making training on safe manual handling practices essential. 

With this training, your office team will be better prepared to prevent injuries, promoting a safer and more efficient working atmosphere for all.

3. Working from Home Safely

Working from home is the new norm, whether it’s every day or as part of a hybrid working arrangement. However, with this shift comes new challenges, which can be difficult to manage externally. Therefore, a comprehensive module covering these risks is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of your team. This module will help your employees stay safe while working remotely, whether in a home office or another non-traditional workspace. It should cover the essentials of a safe remote work setup, including:

• Ergonomics: Ensuring employees have the correct desk setup, chair support, and posture practices to reduce strain and prevent long-term injuries, such as back pain, neck strain, and repetitive stress injuries.
• Workspace Safety: Identifying and mitigating hazards such as tripping over cords, improper storage of heavy items, and ensuring that electrical equipment is safely maintained to prevent accidents.
• Mental Well-Being: Addressing the psychological risks associated with remote work, such as isolation, burnout, and difficulty separating work from personal life. This includes guidance on maintaining healthy boundaries, regular breaks, and how to stay connected with colleagues.
• Lighting: Proper lighting setup is crucial for reducing eye strain and fatigue. The module should educate employees on how to arrange their workspaces with optimal natural and artificial light to enhance focus and comfort without harming vision.
• Distractions & Productivity: Tips on how to manage distractions in a home environment and create a productive, focused workspace that supports concentration and efficiency.
• Technology and Cybersecurity: Understanding the importance of secure internet connections, VPN use, and safeguarding company data from cyber threats when working outside of a traditional office environment.

Equipping your employees with this knowledge is critical to ensuring they remain both productive and safe while working outside the office. It’s an essential course for any organisation that supports remote or hybrid work arrangements, helping employees maintain their well-being, protect against potential risks, and stay compliant with health and safety standards.

4. Stores Worker Safety

Store employees are frequently exposed to a range of unique safety risks, from heavy manual handling to daily customer interactions. A comprehensive WHS module should address these risks and equip workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others. This training should cover:

• Safe Lifting Techniques: Tips for lifting and carrying items to prevent injuries like strains and back pain.
• Use of Protective Equipment: Instruct on the correct use of personal protective gear to safely handle hazardous tasks and materials.
• Handling Hazardous Materials: Provide guidelines for safe storage, handling, and disposal of dangerous substances to minimise accidents.
• Customer Interaction Safety: Equip employees with strategies to handle confrontational customers and prevent workplace violence.
• Maintaining a Hazard-Free Environment: Emphasise the importance of keeping workspaces tidy to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
• Operating Machinery Safely: Offer guidance on the safe use of equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks to avoid accidents.
• Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures: Ensure employees are prepared for emergencies with fire prevention and evacuation training.

This module is crucial for retail, warehousing, and supply chain workers, helping maintain a safe, productive environment for both staff and customers.

5. Safety in On-Hired Work

On-hired workers face unique challenges due to the temporary and varied nature of their roles, making safety and compliance critical. This module should provide essential practices for maintaining safety, quality assurance, and proper induction procedures in on-hired employment. This includes:

• Understanding On-Hired Employment: Explain the unique challenges and responsibilities in on-hired roles for both employers and employees.
• Quality Assurance Fundamentals: Teach the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in every on-hired position.
• Induction Procedures: Provide best practices for effective inductions, ensuring new hires are job-ready and compliant from day one.
• Risk Identification and Management: Equip workers with the skills to identify and mitigate risks in on-hired work environments.
• Creating a Culture of Safety: Foster a workplace culture that emphasises safety, compliance, and adherence to industry standards.

This training is essential for ensuring on-hired workers are equipped to maintain high safety standards and adapt quickly to new environments, ultimately protecting both workers and clients.

Additional WHS Training Programs

Beyond these top five, businesses can choose from a variety of other WHS training programs tailored to specific industries and workforce needs, such as:

• WHS for Permanent Employees
• Overview of WHS and EEO
• Working Safely from Anywhere
• Trainee and Apprentice Safety
• Retail Worker Safety
• Hospitality Worker Safety
• Manufacturing Safety
• Major Events Worker Safety
• Food Handling Safety
• Facilities Management Safety
• Working Alone Safely
• Overview of WHS and EEO

Why Choose WorkPro for WHS Training?

WorkPro’s WHS eLearning program offers a comprehensive library of over 60 modules, each designed to meet the diverse needs of your workforce. These modules are regularly updated by subject matter experts to reflect the latest industry standards and legal requirements. Whether you need general WHS training or role-specific modules, WorkPro allows you to create tailored packages that suit your industry and business needs.

Managing compliance is made easy with WorkPro’s real-time tracking capabilities. You can monitor completion statuses, identify who needs refresher training, and receive automated alerts and notifications. This ensures you stay on top of training requirements without adding administrative burden. WorkPro’s flexible eLearning platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with your current systems, offering a streamlined solution to managing your workforce’s safety and compliance needs.

By choosing WorkPro, you not only ensure compliance but also promote a culture of safety and well-being within your organisation.

WHS training is essential for protecting your workforce, enhancing productivity, and maintaining compliance. Whether your team works in an office, a store, or remotely, these programs provide the training needed to stay safe and secure. With WorkPro’s WHS eLearning solutions, you can easily provide comprehensive, up-to-date training to your employees, ensuring they remain safe, informed, and job-ready. Explore our suite of WHS modules and get in touch today.