It can be nerve-wracking when a new employee starts work. In addition to meeting their new colleagues and getting up to speed on the company’s policies and procedures, the new employee must also meet workplace safety requirements. This can be daunting, but it can be easily accomplished with a little preparation. Here are some tips for ensuring that your new joinee meets all of your workplace safety requirements.
Make Safety a Priority From the Start
When welcoming new employees to the workplace, it’s essential to ensure that they understand and adhere to safety protocols. By orienting them with your company’s safety policy and procedures on their first day, you can set the expectation that safety is a priority.
Reviewing basic safety protocols such as fire evacuation procedures, electrical hazards, and proper lifting techniques will help ensure they are prepared in an emergency. Additionally, providing them with personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring they know how to use it correctly will help keep them safe while working.
Moreover, timely inspections are vital, especially if the workplace is hazardous. For instance, if you have a manufacturing plant, you might want to check that the machinery’s voice has not impacted employees’ hearing senses. You can do this by hiring audiogram testing services. This testing service will test your employees’ hearing and also provide a detailed report about the same. The experts will also explain the results to the employees to be self-aware of the issues with their hearing senses.
Give a Thorough Tour of the Workplace
A thorough workplace tour is essential to ensure that all new joiners know workplace safety requirements. The tour should cover all workplace areas, highlighting any potential hazards. It is also important to explain the procedures for reporting accidents and near-misses.
New joiners should be made aware of the emergency exits and fire procedures and instructed on how to use any available safety equipment.
Provide Adequate Training
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, more than 4,500 workers are killed annually in the United States. Many of these deaths are preventable if workers receive adequate training in workplace safety procedures.
New employees must receive thorough training in all aspects of workplace safety when joining a company. This should include an overview of the company’s safety policies and procedures and hands-on training on safely performing their job duties. In addition, new employees should be given ample opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns they may have about workplace safety.
Encourage Questions and Feedback
One way to ensure this is to encourage questions and feedback from staff members, especially when it comes to new joiners. This way, any potential hazards can be quickly identified and addressed.
Employees will feel comfortable raising concerns and seeking advice by creating an open and welcoming environment. In addition, regular safety audits should be carried out to ensure that all staff follows the correct procedures.
Display Prominently Post Emergency Procedures
As a new employee, it is important to familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures in your workplace. You may need to evacuate the building or take shelter in an emergency. Knowing what to do in an emergency can help keep you safe and reduce the event’s impact.
Emergency procedures should be prominently displayed in your workplace. Make sure to locate the nearest exits and familiarize yourself with the route. If possible, identify a safe location outside the building where you can go in case of an evacuation. In addition, familiarize yourself with the location of any fire extinguishers and learn how to use them. If you have any questions about the emergency procedures, don’t hesitate to ask a supervisor or safety officer for clarification.
Conduct Regular Safety Inspections
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your workplace is safe for all employees. This includes conducting regular safety inspections to identify any potential hazards. If you have a new employee starting work, it’s vital to ensure they meet all the necessary safety requirements.
The best way to do this is to conduct a safety inspection before they begin work. This will help to identify any areas where they may be at risk and allow you to put in place any necessary precautions. It’s also a good idea to provide them with comprehensive health and safety training to know the risks involved in their job.
Overall, it is important to ensure that all new and old employees know workplace safety requirements and how to prevent accidents and injuries. By encouraging questions and feedback, conducting regular safety inspections, and following up with new employees after their first day, employers can help create a safe and productive workplace for everyone.