25 Jul New Employee Safety – Workers New to the Job

New Employee Safety – Workers New to the Job

New employee safety is especially important because workers who are new to a company, project, work location, crew, or job assignment may be unfamiliar with specific hazards, procedures, equipment, and expectations. Even an experienced employee becomes a “new worker” when assigned to an unfamiliar task or work environment.

Experience is valuable, but experience somewhere else does not automatically mean a worker understands the hazards and procedures at the current worksite.

Why New Employees May Be at Greater Risk

New employees or workers new to a job may be unfamiliar with:

• Worksite-specific hazards and changing conditions.
• Company and client safety requirements.
• Emergency procedures, alarms, evacuation routes, and assembly areas.
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Tools, machinery, and equipment used at the site.
• Restricted areas and site access requirements.
• Vehicle and mobile-equipment traffic patterns.
• Job-specific safe work procedures.
• Hazard, near-miss, and incident reporting requirements.
• Locations of first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, and other emergency equipment.

New employees may hesitate to ask questions because they do not want to appear inexperienced. Never guess when safety is involved. Stop and ask your supervisor whenever you do not understand a task, hazard, procedure, or required precaution.

Helping New Employees Work Safely

Experienced employees can help new workers become familiar with the workplace and its hazards. When working with someone who is new to the company, project, crew, or task:

• Point out significant hazards in the work area.
• Explain established safe work procedures rather than shortcuts or informal practices.
• Make sure the worker understands required PPE.
• Identify safe access, egress, and travel routes.
• Explain equipment hazards and operating restrictions.
• Make sure the worker knows who to contact with questions or concerns.
• Encourage questions without criticism or ridicule.
• Correct unsafe practices promptly and respectfully.
• Notify the supervisor when additional instruction or training appears necessary.
• Never encourage an employee to perform work for which they have not been properly trained, qualified, or authorized.

Helping a coworker does not replace required company training, certification, qualification, or supervision.

If You Are New to the Job

Do not assume that because you have performed similar work elsewhere, the procedures are the same. Equipment, site conditions, hazards, and client requirements can differ significantly.

Before beginning unfamiliar work:

• Complete required orientation and training.
• Review the applicable Job Safety Analysis (JSA), pre-task plan, or safe work procedure.
• Understand the hazards and controls associated with the task.
• Locate emergency equipment and learn emergency procedures.
• Inspect tools and equipment before use.
• Confirm that you are trained and authorized to operate required equipment.
• Ask questions whenever instructions are unclear.
• Stop work and contact your supervisor if conditions change or an unexpected hazard develops.

Experienced Workers Have a Role

If you see a new employee struggling with a task, do not assume that someone else will help. Provide appropriate guidance or bring the situation to the supervisor’s attention.

At the same time, never teach shortcuts, bypass safety requirements, or tell a new worker, “That’s how we’ve always done it.” New employees often learn their work habits by watching experienced coworkers. Set the right example.

Speak Up and Ask Questions

Questions are an important part of working safely. Employees should speak up when:

• They do not understand their assignment.
• They have not been trained to perform the work.
• They are unfamiliar with a tool or piece of equipment.
• Required PPE or safety equipment is unavailable.
• Conditions differ from those discussed during the pre-task meeting.
• They identify a new or uncontrolled hazard.

Stop the task and obtain additional direction before proceeding when you are unsure how to perform the work safely.

Remember

Every employee was new at some point. Experienced workers should help new employees learn the correct way to perform their jobs, and new employees should ask questions whenever they are uncertain.

Never sacrifice safety because you are afraid to admit that you do not know something. Ask before you act.