SAFETY: Your First Message to New Workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that new workers have higher rates of work-related injuries and illnesses than experienced workers. Ensuring that all new workers are clear on the loss prevention and safety requirements of your operation will lead to greater job satisfaction and motivation. It will also increase your company’s profitability by creating more productive workers and reducing absenteeism, injuries and worker turnover.

Before allowing new workers to perform jobs or tasks, it is critical to provide an orientation program to train them to do so safely and handle emergency situations if they arise. An orientation program will also demonstrate to your new workers the emphasis and value your company places on safety.

The information presented during the orientation program should cover general safety criteria included in your company’s safety policy, and training specific to the conditions and responsibilities each worker will encounter.

At a minimum, orientation programs should cover the following topics:

• Safety policies, objectives, records and goals of your company.
• Safety practices for the individual’s position.
• Potential hazards related to the individual’s job function.
• Functions of and access to the company’s safety committee.
• Housekeeping procedures, rules and duties.
• Reporting procedures for accidents, injuries or close encounters.
• Emergency procedures and the location of emergency equipment, exits and first aid supplies.
• Use and care of personal protective equipment.
• Use of tools, machinery and hazardous processes.
• Facility security systems and procedures.
• Lockout/tagout procedures.
• Hazard communication and labeling information, including safety signs, color-coded warnings and material safety data sheets (MSDS).
• Facility inspection programs to identify and correct hazards.
• Chemical spill procedures.
• Bloodborne pathogens.
• Recordkeeping requirements.

Use safety meetings, handouts, posters and other methods to regularly remind all workers of your company’s safety procedures. Additional safety training should also be given any time workers receive new job assignments; new substances, processes, procedures or equipment are introduced; new personal protective equipment or work practices are introduced; or new or previously unrecognized hazards are identified.

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