A strong safety culture starts from day one. Whether your company operates in manufacturing, construction, or any industry with recognized hazards, ensuring that new hires understand and prioritize safety is crucial to minimizing risks and maintaining compliance with OSHA standards.
Incorporating safety into your onboarding process can lead to safer workplaces, lower incident rates, and better-prepared employees.
Workplace Safety Belongs in Your Onboarding Program
New employees are often more vulnerable to workplace accidents simply because they are unfamiliar with the environment, equipment, and procedures.
According to studies, workers in their first 90 days on the job have more risk for a serious injury compared to employees with more than a year of service. By embedding safety education into onboarding, you give employees the tools they need to navigate their new roles confidently and safely.
Here’s how to create an onboarding process that puts safety front and center.
1. Start with a Safety-First Orientation
Your onboarding process should kick off with a clear focus on safety. During the initial orientation, introduce your company’s safety mission and core values. Highlight the importance of maintaining a workplace free from serious physical harm and emphasize that safety isn’t just the responsibility of management — everyone plays a role.
Make sure to cover essential topics such as:
- Emergency procedures
- Reporting accidents or near-misses
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
- The specific hazards of the job
Providing this information upfront sets the tone that safety is a priority and that your company is committed to maintaining a healthy workplace for all.
2. Tailor Safety Training to the Job
Every role in your organization likely comes with its own unique safety risks. Customize safety training based on the specific duties of each employee. For example, office workers may need ergonomic training, while those working with machinery need to be trained on lockout/tagout procedures. Tailored safety training helps employees recognize hazards directly related to their responsibilities, ensuring they understand the risks and how to mitigate them.
3. Incorporate Hands-On Safety Training
Nothing solidifies safety concepts better than hands-on training. Whenever possible, allow new hires to practice safety procedures under the guidance of experienced staff. This can include practicing evacuation routes, operating equipment safely, or correctly using PPE.
Real-world, hands-on safety training ensures that employees know how to apply safety protocols in everyday tasks. It also gives them the opportunity to ask questions and build confidence before taking on their responsibilities independently.
4. Conduct Safety Assessments
Ensure that your new hires are ready to follow safety protocols by conducting post-training safety evaluations. These assessments could include quizzes, hands-on tests, or simple observations of daily work. By assessing employees’ understanding of safety procedures, you can identify gaps and provide additional training before they’re exposed to serious risks.
5. Assign Safety Mentors
Pairing new employees with a seasoned mentor can significantly enhance their learning curve. Safety mentors provide guidance, answer questions, and demonstrate best practices for staying safe on the job. A mentorship program can help foster a collaborative, safety-oriented culture and encourage accountability. Plus, new employees are more likely to absorb safety lessons from someone they work closely with day-to-day.
6. Emphasize Continuous Learning
Safety training shouldn’t end after onboarding. Emphasize the importance of ongoing education and encourage employees to participate in refresher courses, toolbox talks, and safety drills. A well-rounded onboarding process includes setting expectations for continued learning and promoting a culture of safety that goes beyond the first few weeks on the job.
7. Gather Feedback and Improve
After onboarding, gather feedback from new hires on the effectiveness of the safety training. Were there any areas they felt were unclear? Did they feel well-prepared to tackle their roles safely? Use this input to continuously refine your onboarding process and make adjustments to improve the experience for future hires.
Build a Culture of Safety from Day One
By prioritizing safety early on, you not only protect your employees from serious physical harm, but also strengthen your organization’s commitment to workplace safety and compliance with federal law.
Taking the time to develop a thoughtful, safety-oriented onboarding process ensures your new hires are ready to succeed in their roles while keeping themselves and their coworkers safe.
Looking to Improve Your Safety Onboarding Process?
At Safety by Design, we specialize in helping businesses create comprehensive safety training programs that align with OSHA standards and promote workplace health and safety. Get in touch with our team to learn how we can help you integrate safety into every aspect of your employee onboarding process.
