Reimagining Annual Training with Cyrus Kezar

Cyrus Kezar, Safety Manager for L. G. Everist, joins Emily to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in safety and health: keeping training fresh and engaging. Cyrus shares his innovative approach to annual refresher training, designed to resonate with a multi-generational workforce, moving beyond passive presentations to dynamic, hands-on learning experiences.

This crucial discussion highlights how understanding diverse learning styles and empowering frontline workers to shape their training can significantly boost engagement, retention, and ultimately, real-world safety impact. Cyrus explains how a collaborative effort led to the creation of interactive safety stations, directly addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by employees on the job. This episode is a powerful reminder that effective safety training isn't just about covering material; it's about connecting with people and truly holding their attention.

Main Themes:

• The ongoing challenge of keeping safety training fresh and engaging for all employees.

• The importance of understanding and adapting training methods to different generational learning styles (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z).

• Transitioning from traditional, passive (e.g., PowerPoint-heavy) training to interactive, hands-on experiences.

• Empowering frontline workers by involving them in the design and feedback process of safety training.

• Examples of innovative, interactive safety stations

• The value of continuous feedback from the workforce to ensure training addresses real-world problems and remains relevant.

Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:

• Cyrus comes on the podcast to talk about how he and his company are reimagining annual safety training. He says that he wanted an annual refresher training that went beyond just checking the boxes. How do you imagine you would respond to a training approach that used hands-on learning techniques?

• Cyrus considered the need to think multigenerationally when redesigning the annual refresher training. How have you seen employees from different generations engage differently with training material? 

• Does anyone have a story they'd like to share about an annual training or safety briefing that stuck with them?

 

Key Takeaways:

"To be an effective safety champion you have to meet people where they are."

"Each generation has a different learning style and expectations."

"We worked as a group to bring everything back to the basics and make training interactive and hands on."

"Feedback is a gift."

"Innovation in safety... doesn't always mean new technology or huge changes. Sometimes it just means rethinking how we connect with people."

Links:

• National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Website: https://www.nssga.org/

• Take Control: Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities: https://www.nssga.org/industry-priorities/health-safety/take-control-prevent-serious-injuries-and-fatalities

• Cyrus Kezar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrus-kezar-csp-99451a98/

L. G. Everist: https://www.lgeverist.com/