• Participatory training methods draw on participants’ own experiences.
• Participatory methods work well with people who have difficulty reading and writing.

Participatory training methods draw on participants’ own experiences. They encourage teamwork and group problem solving. Participants can analyze safety and health problems in a group and develop solutions. There can also be valuable exchanges between workers and trainers about their lives and work. Participatory methods work quite well with people who have difficulty reading and writing. They also allow the instructor to observe who may be having difficulty with the concepts and to engage with them to ensure comprehension. Participatory methods:

1. Draw on the participants’ own knowledge and experience about safety and health issues;
2. Emphasize learning through doing without relying on reading; and
3. Create a comfortable learning experience for everyone.

Participatory training encourages valuable exchanges between workers and trainers. The following are examples of methods to encourage trainees to participate and be actively engaged in class:

• Ice-breakers
• Risk maps
• Role-playing
• Games
• Small group exercises
• “Trigger” visuals
• Brainstorming
• Demonstrations and hands-on activities
• Participatory lectures