OSHA Long Term Care Worker Protection Train the Trainer Program Part 4: Planning the Training Sessions

Objectives Identify the key aspects of planning that will support successful training sessions. Discuss different planning strategies/approaches.

Aspects of Planning Specific Audience Timing Space Appropriate equipment Materials for participants Amenities Setting ground rules

Who is the Audience? Easier if you can work with a specific audience – can customize the content just for them. Can do well with a multi-department group: just be sensitive to importance of examples from all of their specific settings/roles. How much experience/background with work related health and safety do they have? Are they new employees? If they think they have “heard it before”, tell them how different this is!

Timing Decide on topic(s) and length of session, then select the best time/times for your specific audience/ organization. Example: 30 min session on Hazard Com/MSDS, for housekeeping and maintenance staff at ____pm. Example: 30 min session on prevention of spread of infectious diseases for nursing staff at ___am and again at ____pm. Example: 60 min session on ergonomics with clerical staff at ____pm; same session with CNAs at ____pm.

Timing Every department and organization will have its own best timing. There is no perfect time for training sessions! Always keep them short and high-energy, with many opportunities for participation/discussions. Offer short sessions more than once in a day/evening/week. What have you found to be the best time?

Space Not easy to find! Key criteria: seating that will comfortably accommodate the participants. Quiet surroundings. AV friendly environment if using AV equipment. Space to allow for group work/interaction. Think about comfort and ease of movement for you and the participants.

Space What do you currently use? How can you adjust it/work with it to be more comfortable? Be creative – let’s share some ideas on space for short educational sessions!

Equipment Depending on the content being presented. Be certain to have more than you think you will need for all participants, if you are including demonstrations. Keep the equipment clean and in good condition.

Equipment Might need: * Gloves * Container of cleaning material or other chemical (with label) * Handwashing demonstration material and UV light * N95 respirator and surgical masks * Gait belt * What other equipment/supplies might you want?

Materials for Participants Plan what handouts you want participants to have. Keep them easy to read, short. Use words that are easy to understand. Note taking is not for everyone! If using handouts, have another person read them before you use them – are they easy to read, in multiple languages? Carefully define technical terms or jargon.

Materials Use materials that are available to you in your organization, in your Trainer Tool Kit, on the internet from reliable sources. Pictures are great – easy for many people to understand. Be cautious with graphs and data sheets – may be good information, but confusing to some participants. Remember: make the materials meaningful to the specific audience.

Amenities In your experience, what can attract employees to educational sessions? Amenities can include: food (cookies/candy/fruit), water/juice/coffee, pen, etc. Do not have to be elaborate! A little amenity does mean a lot to participants! Be creative!!

Ground Rules An important aspect of planning any educational session. Talk about the ground rules, post them on a large paper on the wall, be open about them! Participants should respect ground rules, if they are clear and reinforced, and if everyone abides by them.

Possible Ground Rules Start and end on time (or early). On time arrival. One conversation at a time. Respectful responses to all ideas. All pagers/beepers/cellphones on silent.

No phone conversations in the room. No use of technology (computers, texting, etc) during the session. Allow others to complete their sentences. Everyone is responsible for contributing. Others? Additional Possibilities

Ground Rules Can Help These can provide some behavioral guidelines. Demonstrates respect for everyone. Should be used for all meetings/educational sessions. Start simple, add a few as you go along.

Planning More time spent planning, the better the educational session can be. It does not always work just as you want – but some planning in advance will make it easier. The “plan” can be evaluated after the session, then make improvements/change before the next one. Keep the plan simple. Be prepared to make course corrections as circumstances change.

Your Experiences? Please share your experience with great planning, but then things did not turn out as expected! Your suggestions on planning – other aspects to consider?

Questions? Suggestions or Comments?