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Your organization has recently filled some open positions, and it’s time to put new employees to work. First, though, you need to make sure they understand your facility’s safety ins and outs. This checklist can help you ensure that you cover all of your new employee safety orientation bases.
Before they start working on Day 1, your new hires need to be familiar with:
Safety rules. It’s not always obvious that a rule—for example, rules about visitors to the facility, signing in and out, and similar controls —is safety-critical, so make sure workers understand all relevant rules.
Company policies. As with safety-related rules, it may not be obvious that some policies—for example, policies on working alone—are important for safety reasons.
Potential hazards. Walk through the work area, and point out important hazards new workers need to be aware of.
Emergency procedures. New workers need to know where to find, and how to use, emergency eyewashes and showers, first-aid kits, fire blankets, fire extinguishers, fire exits, and fire alarm pull boxes. They need to be familiar with emergency evacuation signals and procedures. New workers should also fill out “in case of emergency” contact information that you will keep on file.
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Hazardous materials use and storage. New workers need to know where and how hazardous materials are stored, used, and disposed of, even if they will not use these materials, so they can avoid creating a hazard. They also need to know the basics of your hazard communication program, including how to read hazard labels and where to find safety data sheets.
Food and beverage policies. Make sure new workers know where they can store personal food and beverages. If eating and drinking are not permitted in some areas, point those out.
Accident and injury reporting procedures. New workers need to know how to report an accident, injury, or workplace emergency. Make sure they know where to find contact information for the right people.
Worker rights and responsibilities. Workers should know their safety-related rights and responsibilities.
How to get involved. Do you have a safety committee? A suggestion box? Let workers know that safety is important in your workplace, and encourage them to get involved.
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In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll talk about how to make sure your new hires get the right message about the importance of safety in your workplace from Day 1.