FREDERICK, Md. -

Since launching its Auction Safety Certification and Lane Safety Training series 14 months ago, the National Auto Auction Association said that more than 7,000 people within the industry have been certified under the safety program.

The courses, NAAA said in a news release on Thursday, include educational videos that aim to promote safety and prevent accidents. The program includes a multiple tiers to cater to full- and part-time auction employees.

“Because busy auto auctions have the potential to be hazardous, especially for those unaccustomed to the work environment, our program addresses improving safe practices with the industry's many part-time employees and contractors as well as regular staff,”  NAAA chief executive officer Frank Hackett said in a news release. “While we're pleased that more than 7,000 people have been trained, our ultimate goal is one hundred percent employee certification at every auction.”

The association also has a “100 Percent Safety Certified Award” to spotlight auctions who have had all of their employees finish the program.

The Auction Safety Certification course includes 12 videos and a quiz after each video. NAAA estimates the course takes an hour.

The Lane Safety Training is a 20-minute course and test given to temporary agency drivers.

Annual renewals are required of the certification.

“The training and education of each employee becomes paramount to their understanding the safest, most productive way to do the job, and a proactive safety program is one of the best ways to reduce risks and control costs from incidents involving employee injuries and property damage,” Hackett said. “That’s why we’re urging all NAAA member auctions to make one hundred percent safety certification of their staff a top priority.”

In addition to these programs, NAAA also includes an Auction Arena Safety Training for auctioneers.