What Are My Safety Training Resolutions for 2026?

The start of a new year is a natural time for pest control company owners and managers to take stock of what’s working, what needs improvement, and where risks may be hiding. For many pest management professionals (PMPs), safety training often falls into the category of “important but” as the demands of the daily grind take priority.

As you look ahead to 2026, now is the right time to establish clear, realistic safety training resolutions that protect your employees, strengthen your operation, and reduce preventable claims. The most effective safety programs aren’t complicated; they’re consistent, practical, and built into the rhythm of your business.

Here are key safety training resolutions every pest control company should consider committing to in the year ahead.

1. Commit to Consistent, Scheduled Training

One of the most common challenges in safety programs is inconsistency. Training that happens only after an incident or inconsistently rarely delivers lasting results.

Resolution for 2026: Establish a standing safety training schedule.
Whether it’s a 15-minute safety talk each week or a longer monthly session, consistency matters more than duration. Put training dates on the calendar in advance and treat them as non-negotiable business activities.

Short, focused sessions can be more effective than long, infrequent meetings. Topics can rotate throughout the year, allowing key risks to be reinforced regularly without overwhelming your team with death by PowerPoint.

2. Focus on the Risks Technicians Face Every Day

Generic safety training often misses the mark. Pest control professionals face very specific risks that deserve regular attention.

Resolution for 2026: Prioritize training around real-world exposures, including:

• Slips, trips, and falls on uneven surfaces or wet conditions
• Safe driving practices, distracted driving, and winter road hazards
• Ladder safety and working at heights
• Chemical handling, labeling, and PPE compliance
• Heat stress, cold stress, and fatigue management

When training is directly tied to what technicians experience on their routes, engagement improves and so does retention of the information.

And don’t forget the value of on-the-job training. Nothing prepares a technician for their job like experiencing safe work habits first-hand in the field.

3. Make Safety Training Interactive and Practical

Safety training should not feel like a lecture. When employees are passive listeners, the lessons rarely stick. When adult learners are given the opportunity to combine their experience with the training content, they retain the information.

Resolution for 2026: Make training interactive.
Ask technicians to share near-misses, review recent incidents (without blame), or walk through “what would you do?” scenarios. Use short quizzes, photos from real job sites, or quick demonstrations to keep sessions engaging.

Virtual training can be just as effective as in-person sessions when it includes discussion, questions, and practical examples rather than simply playing a video.

4. Reinforce Accountability at Every Level

A strong safety culture starts at the top. When leaders consistently reinforce training expectations, employees take safety more seriously.

Resolution for 2026: Hold everyone accountable including management.
Supervisors should attend training, participate in discussions, and follow the same safety rules as technicians. When leadership models safe behavior, it sends a clear message that safety is a core value, not just a requirement. Consider adding safety training as a leadership KPI.

Document training attendance and topics covered. This not only supports accountability but also helps demonstrate due diligence if an incident occurs.

5. Review and Update Training Materials Regularly

Safety risks evolve as equipment, regulations, and work practices change. Training content should keep pace with these changes.

Resolution for 2026: Review your safety materials regularly.
Update topics to reflect new vehicles, tools, products, or service offerings. Address trends you’re seeing in claims, near-misses, or customer locations. A proactive approach helps reduce repeat incidents, and improves your safety culture and overall loss control.

Turning Resolutions into Results

The best safety training resolutions are the ones that actually get implemented. By keeping sessions short, relevant, and consistent, pest control companies can build a training program that fits naturally into weekly or monthly operations.

As 2026 begins, resolving to invest in practical safety training isn’t just good risk management it’s a commitment to protecting your people, your customers, and your business. With the right structure in place, safety training becomes less of a burden and more of a competitive advantage.

PestSure – Your Partner in Safety

Founded in 1980, PestSure is the only insurance and risk management provider that is 100 percent dedicated to the pest management industry. It offers industry professionals a full suite of insurance, risk management, and safety training and education offerings.

PestSure provides insurance, safety, and risk management consulting to pest management companies representing $2 billion in revenue, $400 million in payroll, and more than 13,000 service vehicles. The program is administered by Alliant Insurance Services.

To learn more, call 888.984.3813 or visit our contact page.