Kickstart Safety: Effective Strategies for New Employee Orientation

This article is part of a series focused on enhancing new employee orientation, and thus health and safety, across New Brunswick.?Sign up for our monthly email newsletter?and follow WorkSafeNB on?LinkedIn,?Facebook,?X, and?Instagram.?

I want every New Brunswicker to go home safely every day. Working for WorkSafeNB, I’m surrounded by people who share the same passion. At the heart of my passion for health and safety is knowing the reality of how a workplace illness or injury impacts the individual, their family, and community.?

My brother was involved in a preventable workplace incident that impacted his physical and psychological health. For six years following the incident, he coped with chronic pain and depression. He died in 1989. He was 29 years old.?

In New Brunswick, safety from the very first day on the job is not just a best practice—it's a legal requirement. According to New Brunswick's Occupational Health and Safety Act, all new employees must receive orientation and training specific to their position and workplace before beginning their duties. This comprehensive approach helps employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and the necessary safety procedures to navigate workplace hazards effectively.?

Who is considered a new employee? The answer might surprise you…?

The definition of a new employee is broader than many might think. It includes:?

• Individuals new to a position or place of employment.?
• Returning employees, if workplace hazards have changed during their absence.?
• Employees under 25 returning to work.?
• Employees affected by changes in workplace hazards due to shifts in job responsibilities or promotions.?

Key components of an effective orientation?

1. ?Employer Contact Information: Do new hires know how to reach their employer for any concerns or questions?

1. ?Health and Safety Contacts: Provide details about the joint health and safety committee or the health and safety representative.?

1. ?Rights and Responsibilities: Educate new employees on their rights, and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.?

1. ?Safety Procedures and Codes of Practice: Introduce the specific safety protocols relevant to their job roles.?

1. ?First Aid Information: Inform them about the location of first aid facilities and how to obtain assistance.?

1. ?Reporting Injuries and Illnesses: Explain the procedures for reporting any workplace injuries or illnesses.?

1. ?Emergency Procedures: Do they understand emergency preparedness and procedures?

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Train them on the use and maintenance of any required PPE.?

Tips for effective training?

Competent Trainers: Verify trainers are knowledgeable about safety procedures, equipment operation, and relevant legislation.?

Tailored Training: Recognize that each employee has unique experiences and learning styles. Adapt training methods to meet these diverse needs. If English or French is the second language for your new employees, check out our multilingual safety information – translated into 10 languages: Safety is a Universal Language - Multilingual Safety Resources.?

Gradual Learning: Complex tasks should be broken down into manageable stages to prevent overwhelming new employees.?

Interactive Sessions: Incorporate demonstrations and practical exercises to reinforce learning.?

Regular Check-ins: Maintain ongoing communication with new employees to address any concerns and provide additional support as needed.?

Why it matters?

Statistics highlight the importance of thorough orientation and training. Young and new employees are particularly vulnerable to workplace injuries. Effective orientation not only helps prevent accidents but also fosters a culture of safety within the organization.?

In summary, starting or refreshing your new employee orientation is critical for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. By covering essential safety topics and providing tailored interactive training, employers can help new hires integrate smoothly and safely into their roles.?

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About the author:?

Kathleen Bridges is helping to make New Brunswick the safest place to work as a health and safety consultant with WorkSafeNB. With 22 years' experience in the field, Kathleen is passionate about health and safety because she understands that workplace injuries extend far beyond a person’s physical pain.

Kathleen consults with employers and encourages them to make workplaces safer for everyone. She educates employers on their legal responsibilities and helps them build solid health and safety foundations. She stresses the importance of implementing employee orientation training programs because she knows safety starts on day one of the job. ??

Connect with Kathleen and her team for free health and safety consulting services if you’d like to improve the safety culture at your workplace.?