Do Worker Training Programs Reduce On-the-Job Injuries?

A warehouse worker, who is untrained in the proper technique, lifts a heavy box incorrectly, resulting in a severe back injury. An oil rig worker slips on a wet floor because the hazard wasn’t clearly marked. An electrician, unfamiliar with proper safety protocols, suffers an electrical shock while installing equipment. In each of these cases, one critical factor could have helped prevent these incidents: effective employee training.

Worker training programs are designed to teach employees how to safely perform their tasks, identify potential hazards, and respond in an emergency. While training isn’t a catch-all solution, it’s a powerful tool that, when combined with other safety measures, can reduce the likelihood of accidents and protect employees from harm.

Examining the Effectiveness of Employee Training

Every year, millions of American workers are injured on the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which monitors both fatal and nonfatal work-related incidents across various industries, there were 2.6 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses and 5,283 work-related fatalities in the private sector in 2023. Texas, specifically, saw some of the highest workplace injury and fatality rates, with a total of 564 worker deaths.

This is simply unacceptable.

There are many things employers can—and should—do to keep their employees safe. Some seek to reduce workplace accidents through specialized worker training programs, but the question remains: exactly how effective are these programs? Do worker training programs really reduce on-the-job injuries, and what makes some training programs more effective than others?

The Impact of Workplace Injuries: Why Prevention Is Key

To understand if and how well employee training programs work, it’s important to first examine the widespread issue of workplace accidents and occupational illnesses in the United States. Workers in all 50 U.S. states and across all industries suffer severe, even life-threatening injuries every single day.

Some of the most common include:

• Amputation and crush injuries
• Being struck by falling objects
• Broken bones
• Severe burns
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Eye and ear injuries
• Fall-related injuries
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Machine entanglement
• Overuse/overexertion
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Workplace violence

Workplace injuries are a significant concern in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, with high injury rates reported year after year. In 2022, Texas ranked second only to California for nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses, with more than 4,000 reported cases. Meanwhile, New Mexico saw an incidence rate of 72.6 cases per 100 workers, while more than 600 workers in Louisiana suffered job-related injuries and illnesses.

The effects of these injuries are extreme. In the short term, an injury can cause severe pain, lead to disability, and make it difficult to perform daily tasks. Many workers face the challenge of ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, which can be physically demanding and financially draining. In addition to the physical toll, workplace injuries can lead to emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder, as the individual grapples with their recovery and the impact on their life.

Work-related injuries and illnesses also lead to significant financial losses. For the worker, taking time off or working reduced hours can create financial strain, adding stress to an already difficult situation. For some, workplace injuries can also result in long-term career limitations or permanent disability, making it difficult to return to the same type of work—or any work at all.

According to the National Safety Council, workplace accidents and occupational diseases cost Americans billions of dollars each year. Preventing these incidents is critical, not only for ensuring the continued health and safety of individual workers, but also to prevent billions in annual losses.

The Role of Employee Training in Preventing Workplace Injuries

Worker training programs may play a critical role in preventing injuries and improving safety standards in the workplace. Properly designed programs help equip employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their jobs safely and efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

The Theory Behind Training Programs as Injury Prevention Tools

At the core of most worker training programs is the belief that safety awareness and skill enhancement can drastically reduce workplace injuries. The theory behind this is simple: well-trained workers are more likely to identify hazards before they lead to accidents, use equipment correctly, and follow safety protocols in high-risk situations—and studies prove this to be mostly true.

One such study examined the “relative effectiveness of worker safety and health training methods” and found that, “As training methods became more engaging (i.e., requiring trainees’ active participation), workers demonstrated greater knowledge acquisition, and reductions were seen in accidents, illnesses, and injuries. All methods of training produced meaningful behavioral performance improvements.”

Several states have enforced regulations that require injury and illness prevention programs with varying results. In some places, like California, these programs have historically led to an overall decrease in injuries and illnesses. Texas implemented a similar program under its workers’ compensation commission from 1991 to 2005. The program pinpointed the most dangerous workplaces and mandated that they develop and implement injury and illness prevention programs. This resulted in an average yearly reduction of 63% in workplace injuries over a four-year period (1992-1995).

Key Elements of Effective Worker Training Programs

Not all worker training programs are highly effective. Certain elements have been found to make these programs more successful than others at preventing on-the-job accidents and work-related injuries or illnesses.

Some of the best practices for effective employee training programs include:

• Management Leadership: Effective training programs establish clear safety and health goals, assign responsibilities, and provide necessary resources for management and company leadership.
• Worker Participation: The more involved employees are in developing, implementing, and evaluating training programs, the more effective these programs have been proven to be.
• Hazard Identification and Assessment: Training programs should include information on regularly inspecting the workplace and reviewing information to identify potential hazards.
• Hazard Prevention and Control: To increase effectiveness, employee training programs should also provide information on developing and implementing plans to control identified hazards.
• Education and Training: To enhance a training program’s effectiveness, employers should ensure workers understand procedures for recognizing hazards, reporting concerns, and following established safety protocols.
• Program Evaluation and Improvement: Employers should continuously assess their worker training programs and make necessary improvements or adjustments to ensure continued effectiveness.

Employee Training Programs: One Piece of the Safety Puzzle

Protecting workers from hazards is a complex task, one that requires a multifaceted approach. While employee training programs can help mitigate risks, they are not the sole solution. Instead, employers should use these trainings as just one element of a comprehensive plan to reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses.

Even the most robust of worker training programs cannot prevent adverse incidents on its own. Employers have a responsibility to do everything possible to keep their workers safe. When they fail to do so, they must be held accountable.