Studies find that training for employees can lead to revenue increases through improved retention and increased productivity. Studies also find that foundational skills training will make it possible for workers to complete other workplace training successfully, including safety training.
Improving literacy makes accident prevention and health and safety measures more effective. “Low literacy skills can threaten health and safety in the workplace… Improving literacy in the workplace is an actionable solution for employers seeking to reduce accidents, injuries, and absenteeism. Organizations that invest in workplace literacy can minimize workers’ compensation board premiums, claims, and fines.” (All Signs Point to Yes: Literacy’s Impact on Workplace Health and Safety Conference Board of Canada 2008)
The Benefits to Improved Literacy
- Increased ability to read and understand workplace health and safety documents, policies and procedures, regulations, equipment and material instruction and safety signs and symbols.
- Improved understanding of workplace health and safety procedures, job tasks and workplace dangers.
- Clear understanding of the consequences of actions leading to fewer accidents, less lost time due to injuries and reduced workers’ compensation.
- Improved communication, leading to better teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.
- Additionally, there is an “increased cost savings from reduced errors and waste.” (UPSKILL Health – Technical Report on worker and business outcomes: Social Research and Demonstration Corporation, 2016)
Contact an organization in your region for more information about the services they provide that can support job seekers and workers.
This video from Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy highlights the safety benefits to workplace literacy: Literacy and Workplace Health & Safety
