What is Corrective Action Training? The What, When, How, and Why

Corrective action training is a crucial tool used across industries—from transportation and construction to manufacturing and general workplace environments—to address safety concerns and improve employee performance. Whether it’s a truck driver with repeated traffic violations, a construction worker ignoring fall protection protocols, or a warehouse employee mishandling equipment, corrective action training helps prevent minor issues from escalating into serious incidents.

What is Corrective Action Training?

Corrective action training, also known as remedial training, is a brief, targeted session designed to address specific behaviors or performance issues. It is typically used in response to an incident, accident, violation, or complaint.

For example:

• In transportation, Jorge is a dependable and safe driver. Recently, Jorge took a turn too closely and hit a traffic signal. A few weeks later, while making a turn in the company’s yard, Jorge hit a parked trailer. This is a clear case for corrective action training focused on proper turning technique.
• In a manufacturing facility, Tina has been seen not wearing proper eye protection while grinding metal. After a second observation, corrective action training on eye and face protection is necessary to reinforce compliance and prevent injury.
• On a construction site, Luis is working during a heatwave and shows signs of heat exhaustion but doesn’t follow the site’s emergency response protocol. A follow-up incident confirms the need for corrective action training on proper response to heat-related emergencies to ensure he understands how to recognize and react to heat stress.

When Should You Use Corrective Action Training?

The goal is to intervene early—before a pattern of unsafe behavior leads to a serious accident or regulatory violation. Training should be conducted as soon as practical after the issue is identified.

In any industry, a single observation might warrant a reminder. But after a second related incident, it’s time for a structured training session. Even if the employee is on a tight schedule, a short meeting can be arranged to address the specific concern.

How Do You Implement Corrective Action Training Effectively?

1. Monitor and Identify Issues: Use safety audits, incident reports, accident reports, citations, and supervisor observations to identify employees who may benefit from corrective action training.
2. Target the Training: Keep the session focused and brief—typically 5 to 10 minutes. Address only the specific behavior that needs correction. Online training platforms (e-learning) are an excellent way to deliver these targeted sessions efficiently. They allow employees to complete training at their convenience, ensure consistency in content delivery, and make it easier to track completion and comprehension.
3. Follow Up: Continue monitoring the employee to ensure the behavior improves. This shows commitment to safety and provides documentation of progress.
4. Link to Disciplinary Policy: Make sure employees understand the consequences of repeated violations. If an individual continues to disregard safety protocols after corrective action training, the next steps—such as additional training, formal warnings, or disciplinary measures—should be clearly outlined and consistently applied.
5. Document Everything: Record who was trained, what was covered, who conducted the training, when it occurred, and how long it lasted. This documentation is essential for compliance and liability protection.

Why Use Corrective Action Training?

There are two major benefits:

• Increase Safety: Addressing issues early reduces the risk of accidents, injuries, and costly downtime. It also fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across all industries.
• Reduce Liability: If an incident leads to legal action, having a documented corrective action training program can demonstrate your organization’s commitment to safety and due diligence.

Key Takeaway

Corrective action training is a proactive approach to workplace safety. It helps correct minor issues before they escalate, protecting both employees and the organization—whether you're managing a fleet of trucks, overseeing a construction site, or running a manufacturing facility.