Best practices to ensure safety of new employees in the workplace

Did you know that new employees are three times as likely to sustain a lost-time injury than seasoned workers? Almost half of all lost-time injuries among new hires happen within the first three months of training. Why is that?

• Lack of proper safety training for new employees or in general
• Weak or absent safety orientation program
• Poor safety culture in the workplace
• No safety leadership or leadership through example
• Fear of asking questions or requesting training
• Unsure of safety legislation and worker rights

Orientation Training Checklist Download

Training is never a “one and done” endeavour; however, certain training needs to be completed as part of orientation. ​

Best Practices for New Employee Training

Your organization can buck the trend. To ensure your new hires don’t become a statistic and end up costing your organization in lost-time claims and recruiting costs, consider the following:

• All new hires should participate in an orientation training program that includes safety training
• The safety training included during orientation should be specific and meet all legislative minimum requirements
• Employees should be trained in worker rights and responsibilities before starting job training so that understand their safety rights under the law
• A strong safety culture where all employees at all levels embrace safe operating procedures should be evident at all stages from recruitment through to job training
• As part of orientation, new workers should be reminded that questions regarding safety are encouraged, and the reporting process should be covered

• Company-specific policies and procedures training should be included in the orientation training package
• Orientation training should include a tour that shows new workers where the health and safety board, emergency phones, first aid kits, eyewash stations, etc. can be located
• If hazardous materials are in use, show new employees where and how they’re stored, and where the SDSs can be located
• Walk new employees through the emergency evacuation route, and show them where all fire extinguishers are located
• If the employee’s new role includes the use of any PPE, proper training for its use must be included as well

The JHSC

​Your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) should have a role in new employee safety orientation. They should have a chance to speak to new employees about safety in the workplace. JHSC members can explain what they do to keep the workplace safe, how they advocate for workers, how to bring concerns forward, and how to join the JHSC. 

Orientation Training

Training is never a “one and done” endeavour; however, certain training needs to be completed as part of orientation. While most safety training is ongoing, needs to be refreshed every so often, or resulting from now roles, safety processes, machinery, or other changes, orientation training only needs to be completed once, at the outset of employment.
 
Orientation training must include:

• WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information training) specific to the workplace
• Worker Safety Awareness Training
• Fire Safety Training
• Emergency Response Training
• Health and Safety Program training specific to the workplace
• Workplace Violence and Harassment Training
• If you’re in Ontario, workers must receive Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities training (AODA)

 
You don’t have to go it alone. MidSouthWest Training and Consulting has created a FREE downloadable checklist that you can use to ensure that your orientation program has everything it needs to effectively protect your new hires and prevent workplace accidents and injuries. 

Download the Checklist Now

Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers consulting services, and we can help you design or assess your organizational orientation program to ensure that it is effective. We also have a downloadable checklist you can use to ensure your orientation program is complete, and we offer New Hire Safety Training online.
 
As well, we provide JHSC training in association with Langlois Safety Training and Consulting Services, an approved CPO Provider. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.
 
To ask questions, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

​Last updated March 4, 2021