Know Your Safety Training Options

Working in construction comes with hazards and unique challenges across a wide variety of environments. It’s crucial to be properly trained and prepared to navigate risks safely, to ensure a long and healthy career.

In recent years, technology has contributed to the evolution of how safety training is delivered. There is now a greater variety of learning options to suit the preferences, schedules and needs of busy construction professionals. From traditional in-person training to online and on-demand formats, each method utilizes technology in different ways to provide the skills and knowledge needed to maintain safety on the job.

Face to Face with Instructors and Peers

In-person training with instructors in a traditional classroom has long been the standard approach. These courses are suitable if you prefer face-to-face interactions, structured learning and access to real-time expertise, but you are limited by scheduling and location.

Classroom training integrates some technology with the shift towards paperless learning. The use of tablets, laptops or handheld devices allows you to view and search through digital documents quickly, rather than flipping through printouts. PowerPoint slides, videos, website links and other multimedia elements often complement the lecture format to help make safety concepts and regulations easier to understand.

In-person training also provides an important opportunity for social interaction. Learning in the same room with peers allows for informal conversations and networking, fostering a setting where experiences and best practices can be shared.

Online Convenience, Easy Access

Online training has become a preferred choice for many through platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Video calls and conferencing make it easy for you to attend safety training sessions from the comfort of your home, office or site—anywhere in the province with a good internet connection.

Convenience and cost-effectiveness are two key benefits of online training. You save both time and money on travel and accommodation costs by not having to attend courses in major centres. This is particularly useful if you are located on a remote site or in a rural area of the province. The structure of online training often mirrors that of in-person instruction, with a set schedule and consistent pace.

Instructors share digital documents, links and videos, making it easy to search through materials and follow along with the presentation. The virtual format allows for adaptations in practical training. For example, in fall protection training, you can be guided through the steps of donning and inspecting a fall arrest harness via live video with directions and adjustments provided by the instructor.

Both online and in-person training offer direct access to an expert as an advantage of training with an instructor. You can ask questions and receive immediate feedback, or seek advice specific to your work site.

Flexible and Self-Paced

If you have a demanding schedule and time constraints, you need a more flexible option. On-demand safety training could be your answer—available 24/7, you can access courses in shorter sessions if needed, whenever it fits your schedule.

You can complete courses at your own pace, breaking up the material into smaller, manageable chunks, usually over a longer length of time. You can work through the content when it suits you best, as courses typically save your progress over several weeks. This extended timeframe is useful when you are juggling multiple projects and need to fit in learning around other commitments.

On-demand training is ideal for independent learners who are comfortable with technology. It’s an effective way to learn because you can set your own pace and customize your experience, spending more time on challenging topics and moving quickly through familiar concepts. Interactive multimedia content, including audio, video, exercises and quizzes, helps reinforce key safety principles.

A wide range of topics are available, from construction safety essentials to leadership skills and mental health. Recorded webinars, toolbox talks, speaker presentations or conference sessions are also available on demand if you cannot attend live.

Choose Your Tech Level

In many ways, technology has helped make safety training easier to access than ever before. This means no matter how busy work gets, you can never be too busy to fit in the training you need. Whether in-person, online or on-demand—technology has evolved to offer distinct benefits that you can leverage to improve safety outcomes on your job sites.

• In-person training is ideal for those who prefer face-to-face interaction, the structure of traditional classroom settings and real-time access to instructors. It’s best for building social connections with peers and fostering deeper discussions around safety practices.
• Scheduled online training provides the convenience of remote learning, saving time and travel costs while still maintaining a structured, instructor-led format. It’s an excellent option if you want more guidance but need flexibility to attend from your home, office or site.
• On-demand training offers the most flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace without rigid time constraints. This is a great option if you are a self-motivated learner who needs to fit in training around a busy work schedule.

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the methods of delivering safety training. Ultimately, by utilizing a variety of training methods, you can ensure that everyone is equipped with the knowledge and skills to maintain a safe and efficient job site.

“We just keep coming back to the SCSA because they provide quality training. Whenever we can use the SCSA, any construction company should be using them.” -Bruce Churchwell, Wright Construction

For information on safety training with the SCSA visit scsaonline.ca