Page 47 - Test

3. Be prepared. Have the room set up before the class participants arrive. Have a workbook and a
pen or pencil set out for each participant. (Workbooks may have been given out before.) If audio-
visual aides are being used, ensure equipment is working before participants arrive. Have any training
posters up on the wall and in clear view of participants.
Have a list of the controlled products with which the workers work. Samples of controlled products,
labels (both supplier and worksite) and MSDSs are good training tools.

4. Start on time. Stick to your timetable, but be sensitive to the needs of the group.

5. Leadership is crucial. This leadership should be based on skills, not authority. It is important to
listen, question skillfully, and to coordinate the discussion and effort of each participant. It is also
helpful to have a sense of humour and be flexible. Things never go perfectly.

6. Commence the education session. Inform your audience:

 why they are at the session

 that the workbook is theirs to keep

 what the purpose of the workbook is (that it is the generic portion of the training)

 that you will be reviewing worksite specific with them after the generic is completed

 that you will be discussing what controlled products are present in their work areas

 that there is an exam (quiz, test) at the end of the course

 that an oral exam can be administered if desired. (It is important to ensure that your course
participants feel free to approach you on this subject. Give them opportunities to approach
you in confidence.)

7. Encourage discussion. Every member of the group should be encouraged to participate. Use
questions to draw the quiet ones into the discussion. Lengthy discussion between you and an
individual should be avoided.

8. Keep the group "on track". Keep the discussion relevant to the subject.

9. Keep the atmosphere constructive and positive. Your attitude is paramount in this. You must
feel that this training is important and useful as your lowest level of interest will be the highest level of
the course participant.

10. Restate an individual's question as others may not have heard the question clearly. Summarize
the discussion by restating conclusions reached by the group.

One of the key factors in successful discussion-leading is the establishment of a feeling of mutual trust
and respect between the leader and the participants, and between individuals. This will provide course
participants with that sense of ease which is essential if they are to discuss the subject freely.

AMHSA 45