In response to a request from a large Bay Area manufacturer to help improve quality and productivity while eliminating waste and reducing costs, Crontact Education is currently implementing an on-site program of training, coaching and follow up implementation on Lean Principles and Waste Identification. Lean, a process improvement approach based on the Toyota Production System (TPS), is a set of principles and practices that identifies and minimizes wasted time and effort.

Working closely with the quality assurance supervisor and her department, Contract Education's Lean consultant is helping the team identify and eliminate waste and reduce process time and costs by focusing on five key areas:

• Structure - Identifying what needs to be done, when and by whom
• Communication - Conveying the goals and objectives of the project to all employees
• Education - Training and coaching employees on concepts and techniques that improve processes and reduce waste
• Rewards and Recognition - Identifying ways to support strong performance and encourage new ideas
• Ongoing Support - Providing employees with adequate support and time to implement changes  Learn more

Contemporary adult learning theory recognizes that adults need to see the practical application of lessons in order to translate training into improved job performance. Engaging adult learners in the learning experience is most effective when instructional designers and trainers recognize that adults:

• need to know why they are learning something;
• draw on their experiences and learn through doing;
• want to apply new knowledge to practical problem-solving;
• learn best when the subject is of immediate use.

Studies show that the application of adult learning principles increases the motivation and transfer of knowledge in participants before, during and after training. Learn more

Workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities cost employers billions of dollars every year. In its 2011 Workplace Safety Index, Liberty Mutual estimated that employers paid almost $1 billion per week in workers' compensation costs for workplace injuries and illnesses in 2009. With foresight and planning many of these injuries and illnesses could have been prevented.

The implementation of effective safety and health management programs significantly reduces injuries, illnesses and associated costs, including workers' compensation payments, medical expenses and lost productivity. In addition, employers often find that the implementation process and other changes made to enhance workplace safety and health result in significant improvements to their organization's productivity and profitability. Learn more

The OSHA Training Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District serves as an important resource for Bay Area organizations interested in developing a safety and health management program. The Center provides an introductory course, Introduction to Safety and Health Management, which addresses the four core elements of an effective safety and health program with strategies and techniques that are critical to each element's proper management. The course is designed for managers and employees designated with the responsibility for developing and managing a safety and health program for their organizations.