Safety Orientation and Employee Training - Capstone Brokerage

By: Kathleen Murray, Capstone Brokerage Client Advocate, November 29, 2017

New employees need to be made aware of workplace safety and how serious safety training is right from the start. In your first meeting with your new employees, reinforce the need for caution and the use of protective equipment for each task. Emphasize that all unsafe conditions, accidents, and “near misses” must be reported immediately.

Why It Matters

• Statistics reveal that workers are the most susceptible to injuries during their first month on the job.
• That’s why you need to provide basic safety training to new hires as soon as they come under your supervision.

Covering the Basics is important for employee safety. We recommend having new employee work place safety protocol outlined and addressed within the first week of being hired.

What to should be covered?

• The proper safety practices to use and hazards to be aware of within your department.
• What to do if there is an accident or injury.
• How to report emergencies.
• How to report accidents and near misses.
• How to report a workers’ compensation injury and file a claim.
• The Location of safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS)
• How to use tools, machinery, or hazardous processes.
• What housekeeping and personal cleanup rules must be followed.
• The location of emergency equipment, first-aid supplies, and designated smoking areas.

Use hands-on demonstrations to make sure that your new employees understand the correct procedures completely. Then provide them with a written list of safety rules and policies, and have them sign it.

By conducting new employee safety training, you are demonstrating to new hires how concerned you are about accident prevention. Also encourage them to suggest ways to improve their own safety.

Schedule a follow-up meeting a few days after your initial orientation. You can appraise if new workers understand and are using sage work practices. Answer any questions they may have. Use a checklist to review each of the specific safety practices covered in your meeting. Than have them demonstrate what they learned.

By initiating a thorough orientation and safety training program, you are helping to keep employee morale high while minimizing accident and injury rates. For more information and guidance contact your Risk Management Company.