Refresh Training to Ensure Compliance with EPA Guidelines

Posted on June 5, 2019 by

Complying with EPA regulations requires focus, dedication and training.

A hazardous chemical warning sign.

Is your facility on top of its requirements under EPA rules?

Companies dealing with potential pollutants in their daily operations are required to be careful, keeping the hazardous substances from damaging the nearby environment. Businesses working with petroleum products fall into this heavily regulated category, as do those that generate hazardous waste. If your organization is such a company, you should frequently check to ensure your continued compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.

The EPA runs multiple programs around the country designed to keep harmful materials out of the natural environment and to clean up already damaged areas. The agency’s report for the 2018 fiscal year noted it received commitments for the proper disposal, treatment or minimization of 540 million pounds of waste.

Getting into EPA compliance and staying there is a multi-step process involving strengthening many aspects of operations and oversight. Your employees are an important part of the equation, as simple lack of familiarity with EPA requirements could lead to inadvertent violations of the rules. By taking a look at a few prominent types of EPA-regulated workplaces, you can grasp the role and importance of employee education. Continue reading →

Posted in Workplace Health and Safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Protect Employees with Improved Confined Space Safety Training

Posted on May 31, 2019 by

What are OSHA’s rules around confined space entry – and how should you train employees to operate safely in these areas?

A small entryway to a confined area.

What should companies do to prepare for confined space operations?

Working in confined spaces is one of the most challenging and potentially dangerous duties an employee can serve within a facility or construction site. If your workers have to operate in these limited-mobility settings, it’s up to you to ensure they have optimal training and preparation for the task at hand. Without adequate training programs in place, you leave your company susceptible to fines and penalties. No leader at a workplace or work site with confined spaces should make such an oversight, whether the work in those areas is part of a temporary project or a permanent requirement.

What Does OSHA Require?

Continue reading →

Posted in OSHA, Workplace Health and Safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cybersecurity Training: Always Evolving, Always Relevant

Posted on April 23, 2019 by

Improving your company’s defenses against cyber attacks takes more than IT purchases; you should invest in training.

A red section of computer code.

Today’s cyber criminals know employee error is a huge security weakness.

When thinking of cybersecurity for your company, it’s normal to consider the problem in terms of technology. Hackers and malicious groups are pitting their IT resources against yours, and failure to keep up with this digital arms race may result in the loss of valuable data.

This technical approach to today’s cybersecurity challenges ignores one critical fact, however: Some of the greatest threats to your company are not predicated on advanced tech or rapid threat development. The potential for human error can be a glaring weak spot in any organization’s defenses. Continue reading →

Posted in Professional Development | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Boost Your Sales Team Performance via Refreshed Training

Posted on April 19, 2019 by

The sales department of a company keeps the organization thriving. It’s worth training sales personnel to prime them for success.

How long has it been since your sales team received refreshed or updated training?

A businessman pointing to a "sales training" graphic.

Sales training is a major way to improve departmental effectiveness.

Improving sales representatives’ performance through targeted and focused employee education may provide your business with a much-needed infusion of momentum. Reps’ ability to sell effectively – making use of the latest and most relevant tactics and techniques – can determine whether a company meets or misses business targets for a quarter or year.

Sales ability isn’t an intrinsic or fixed trait. Improving related skills through the deployment of timely and effective training is a potentially valuable boost for the representatives, the department and the organization. Continue reading →

Posted in Professional Development | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Meet HR Compliance Requirements – Then Go Beyond Them

Posted on March 25, 2019 by

While there are rules regarding HR training, these should be seen as a starting point – there’s plenty of room for extra value to come from these programs.

A key made of the words "human resources."

Regulatory compliance is just the start of great HR training.

Compliance training sessions overseen by human resources have a clear mission statement embedded in their name: They exist to ensure companies comply with regulations demanding they maintain fair, equitable and welcoming workplaces. This shouldn’t be where the lessons end, however. HR training that obeys the letter of the law, but does no more, may not adequately prepare employees to deal with issues such as harassment. Rather than just creating compliant workplaces, leaders should treat their legal requirements as a baseline and strive to create exemplary office cultures.

Numerous training options are available on essential HR topics, divided up by subject, workplace type and content format. Managers and HR team members should select educational resources to take employees beyond the basics and set a positive tone for all interactions within the business, with clear mechanisms in place to handle complaints and drive real resolution to problems. Selecting the right resources calls for an extra period of research, but the resulting professional environment is worth the effort. Continue reading →

Posted in Office Culture, Professional Development | Tagged , , | Leave a comment