Safety Orientation: The Importance of Onboarding New Employees
Overview
Safety orientation introduces new employees to company safety policies, rules, expectations, and resources during onboarding. Comprehensive orientation establishes safety as a core value from day one, provides critical knowledge needed to work safely, and sets the foundation for a strong safety culture.
Why This Is Important
New employees have injury rates significantly higher than experienced workers because they lack familiarity with hazards, procedures, and expectations. Effective safety orientation dramatically reduces these early injuries by providing knowledge, demonstrating management commitment, and establishing that safety is everyone’s responsibility from the start.
Relevant Statistics
Best Practices & Safety Tips
- Understand that safety orientation is the beginning of ongoing safety training, not a one-time event
- Learn your company’s core safety rules including PPE requirements, reporting procedures, and prohibited actions
- Know how to report hazards, near-misses, injuries, and safety concerns without fear of retaliation
- Identify key safety personnel including supervisors, safety managers, and first aid responders
- Know the location of emergency equipment including exits, muster points, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and first aid supplies
- Ask questions during orientation if anything is unclear—there are no stupid questions about safety
- Review your specific job hazards and required training before beginning work assignments
- Understand your responsibility to follow safety rules and stop work if conditions seem unsafe
- Learn the company’s disciplinary policy for safety violations to understand expectations and consequences
- Recognize that experienced coworkers can teach you, but always verify procedures match formal training
Discussion Questions
- What were your first impressions of safety during your orientation here?
- How does our safety orientation compare to other places you’ve worked?
- What questions should new employees always ask during safety orientation?
- Why do new employees have higher injury rates than experienced workers?
- How can we improve our safety orientation to better prepare new hires?
Takeaway
Safety orientation demonstrates that your employer values your wellbeing and sets expectations for working safely from day one. The knowledge you gain during orientation provides the foundation for your entire career here. Take it seriously, ask questions, and remember—we want you to go home safe every single day.