The Consequences of Inadequate Training in the Workplace

In today’s rapidly changing workplace, the need for skilled and knowledgeable workers has never been more critical. Unfortunately, many workers lack the training they need to succeed in their jobs, resulting in lower productivity and increased workplace accidents. 

Because employers also suffer consequences from poor employee training, including high turnover and increased workers’ compensation premiums, it’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that workers in all industries get the necessary training they need to create safe and successful workplaces.

Alabama work injury and fatality statistics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employees in Alabama suffered more than 32,000 workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021. On top of that, more than 20,000 of these injuries were classified as “severe,” meaning that they required days off work, job transfers or other significant actions.

Sadly, some workers in Alabama aren’t just hurt on the job—they’re killed. In fact, the BLS cited more than 100 cases of work fatalities in the state of Alabama in 2021 alone. This is up from previous years.

The most dangerous sector was the transportation and warehousing industry. Trucking was noted as particularly hazardous, but the construction industry also had a high number of deaths.

Preventable work injuries in the U.S.

Alabama isn’t the only state where workers get hurt. Overall, there were more than 4,400 preventable workplace injuries across the U.S. in 2021. This figure is up 9% from previous years. The most hazardous industries were cited as:

What counts as inadequate training in the workplace?

Are you concerned about workplace safety? Do you feel like you haven’t been properly trained to do your job? 

Here are just a few examples of poor or insufficient training that can apply to multiple industries:

• Not having formal training to use machines, tools or equipment
• Not educating employees on the risks of job-related actions
• Having inadequate supervision or oversight
• Not having emergency plans and procedures in place
• Having a lack of transparency regarding job demands or expectations
• Not sharing important information like safety or alarm codes
• Failing to provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Failing to maintain machines or teach employees to maintain machines
• Encouraging employees to cut corners or take shortcuts to speed up production or save money
• Keeping poor records, especially for safety incidents
• Hiring unqualified workers

If you recognize any of these red flags at your job, it might be time to take action to improve the occupational health and safety of your workplace.

Common work accidents caused by inadequate training

Common injuries that occur from inadequate training

Preventable workplace injuries can run the gamut from “mildly annoying” to “severely and permanently debilitating.” Here are just a few examples:

If you’ve suffered any of these injuries at work, you might want to seek out legal representation to help you pay your medical bills and recover lost wages through a workers’ compensation claim.

The benefits of employee training

The most obvious advantage of workplace training is the prevention of injuries, illnesses, disabilities and deaths. However, the physical safety of employees isn’t the only reason that businesses should invest in good training programs.

Productivity, for example, is greatly increased in an environment where everyone knows what they’re doing and has the proper equipment to do it. Morale is better as well. When employee rights are respected, they’re less likely to quit, raising retention rates and lowering turnover rates.

There’s a financial incentive to proper workplace training, too. Businesses can avoid fines and lawsuits when they lower their amount of workers’ compensation claims.

What is OSHA’s role in preventing work injuries?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government organization that oversees workplace safety. You’ve probably seen their manuals if you work at a high-risk job, but they do a lot more than just write rules and regulations. 

For example, they also conduct inspections, document violations and penalize businesses through fines and more stringent requirements for tools or training. You can consider them an ally in terms of enacting safety standards and enforcing employee rights.