Asking new workers about their previous safety education and work experience helps businesses ensure the workers know the basics of workplace safety. Too many accidents occur because businesses assume that everyone knows the basics. Businesses many times will find the worker did not know the basics only after an accident occurs. Ensure every new worker knows their rights and responsibilities.
Workers must know they have the right to participate in health and safety training and safety programs in the workplace. They also have the right to know about hazards they may be exposed in the workplace. They have the right to refuse unsafe work and they have the responsibility to follow safety procedures and wear any personal protective equipment that may be required by the company and that is required by law.
New employees are more susceptible to accidents than those who have experience in the business? workplace. New workers can be classified many ways. The most obvious is any new hire; this can be permanent or temporary personnel and can include supervisors, with or without experience in the business or even the industry. Student workers, co-op placements or apprentices are also obviously new to the workplace. Less obvious are current workers who are assigned new jobs. Contractors, subcontractors, and visitors to your workplace all need to know the general safety rules of the workplace.
Orientation is more than just a tour of the workplace. It should cover emergency procedures, workplace safety rules everyone must follow at your workplace, general requirements for personal protective equipment, first aid provisions, information about where the safety board is posted and any other essential health and safety facts. If possible introduce new and young workers to the health and safety committee members or the health and safety representative during orientation and show them where their names are posted.
Supervisors need to be in regular contact with workers. With new personnel additional contact will be required. Communication should freely flow two ways between the supervisor and the worker. Questions on unsafe working conditions should be dealt with immediately. Supervisors must provide instruction and ensure safety regulations and rules are followed.
Providing a safe working environment and ensuring a safe start when new personnel come to work will ensure the workers are fully capable of performing work and in a safe manner. Safety legislation includes a general provision requiring employers to ensure their workers have been provided with proper information, instruction and supervision to protect their health and safety while they perform their jobs. These regulations are to protect all new personnel to the workplace. These regulations are also set to protect the company as long as documentation can be provided if there is an accident.
Temporary workers are an important safety risk issue because they are unfamiliar with the workplace and company rules, and are on site for a limited time period. Temporary workers need to be trained in the company's health and safety policies just as if they are part of the permanent staff. Temporary workers can be employed for a variety of reasons, such as cover for permanent employees who are off sick, or on holiday, or to cope with seasonal increases in workload. In many cases temporary workers are employed by an employment agency; these workers under the direct employ of these agencies.
Temporary workers should be provided with information on risks to their health and safety that have been identified by risk assessments. The temporary workers should also be shown the measures that have been taken to prevent or control these risks. The temporary workers must know what action should be taken in event of emergencies.
In case of an accident the workers? employer is responsible for reporting accidents involving temporary workers. If a temporary worker has an accident while working for a host employer, the host employer should notify the worker's employer immediately.
The duty to provide personal protective equipment to employees does not extend to temporary workers. The employment agency is responsible for ensuring personal protective equipment is provided. Most employment agencies may require temporary workers to supply their own equipment. The host employer is responsible for informing temporary workers? employers of the risks involved with the work, and what personal protective equipment might be needed.
A comprehensive safety policy should include details about arrangements and procedures set up for specific health & safety issues to include temporary workers. Issues, for special occupational qualifications or skills the worker should have to perform safely, should be addressed. The temporary workers must be trained in the company's health and safety policies and this must be documented.
Abb Safety Net has sinced written about articles on various topics from Small Business, Anger Control and Small Business. Brent Bowlin is a health and safety researcher who has helped businesses in implementing safety programs. For help contact him at abbsafetynet@gmail.com or go to www.safetysuppliescanada.com for a customizable safety manual and for safety supplies, they. Abb Safety Net's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.