10 Orientation and Training for Safety: An Essential Step

Did you know that more than half of workplace accidents involving young and new workers occur during their first six months on the job? Effective orientation and training is the best way to prevent accidents from happening. Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workers are prepared for the job before they start working.

The training must be specific to the workplace and should be ongoing. Even an experienced worker will require a new orientation if circumstances change or new hazards develop. For example, there may be a new work process or new equipment, or the worker may be moved to a new work location or assigned to a different task.

It is management’s responsibility to ensure that everyone is trained to follow safe work procedures. As an employee, your manager or supervisor should explain to you the safety rules and policies concerning the following:

• Job-specific hazards
• Your rights and responsibilities as a worker
• Your right to refuse unsafe work
• Violence in the workplace
• Bullying and harassment
• Working alone or in isolation
• Accident investigations
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• How to report potential hazards and unsafe work conditions
• First aid policies and procedures
• How to report injuries, accidents, and close calls
• Emergency and evacuation procedures