The 10% problem and how to ditch the broken bucket
By Ruan Janse van Rensburg, Partner: Corporate Client Manager at KBC
Imagine you’re trying to fill up a bucket. Every time you pour in the water, 90% of it leaks out immediately. You try again, same story. How many times would you try and try using the same technique? Probably never again, right? It’s obviously not working.
Maybe you’d get a new bucket, maybe you’d try pouring the water in differently. So why is it that when it comes to learning, institutions never seem to want to try different methods. Like your faulty bucket, when learners read to understand, they only ever retain 10% of the information presented.
The science behind practical learning and retention is simple: research supports the concept that individuals retain information better when they see, hear, and physically engage with the subject matter. The learning pyramid suggests that people retain:
- 10% of what they read
- 20% of what they hear
- 30% of what they see
- 75% of what they do
When it comes to essential health and safety knowledge, you can’t risk employees only understanding 10% of the material. Traditional classroom-based training methods, while valuable, often fall short in reinforcing long-term retention, which is essential for keeping lives safe and perusing zero harm environment. Studies have shown that hands-on, experiential learning significantly improves knowledge retention, as learners engage directly with real-world scenarios rather than just theoretical concepts.
At KBC, as a leading training provider, we have firsthand observations proving that when students participate in practical training, they absorb, retain, and apply information more effectively. Two key components of our practical hazard identification training have proven to be particularly effective:
- Hazard Identification Parks
Hazard Identification Parks provide a safe yet realistic training space where students can interact with real-life equipment and workplace hazards. This hands-on approach allows them to:
- Physically engage with safety elements such as machinery, electrical hazards, confined spaces, and PPE.
- Experience hazards in a controlled setting, helping them understand the risks and control measures first-hand.
- Build muscle memory by repeatedly practicing hazard recognition, making it easier to recall safety procedures when faced with real-world situations.
By immersing students in these controlled environments, they develop confidence in identifying and mitigating hazards before encountering them in the workplace.
- 360° Hazard Identification Videos
In addition to real-world simulations, we integrate 360° hazard identification videos into our training programs. This innovative method provides an interactive and engaging way for students to:
- Virtually explore hazardous work areas in a risk-free environment.
- Identify potential dangers in a dynamic and visually stimulating way.
- Use heat map analytics to track where their attention is focused, ensuring they recognize key hazards.
This gamified learning experience not only makes training more engaging but also strengthens recall by encouraging active participation in hazard recognition.
By incorporating hands-on training and interactive video learning, we bridge the gap between knowledge and application, leading to a more competent and safety-conscious workforce.
At KBC, we have seen first-hand that students who engage in practical training demonstrate higher retention rates, improved hazard awareness, and increased confidence in applying safety protocols. By combining Hazard Identification Parks with 360° interactive training, we create an engaging, effective, and immersive learning experience that ensures critical safety knowledge is not just learned but retained and applied in real-world situations.
Investing in practical safety training is not just about compliance, it is about building a proactive safety culture where employees and contractors are empowered to recognise and mitigate risks effectively. KBC your one stop provider can assist clients with tailormade products to suit their needs.
