Employers invest a lot of time to ensure their workers are properly instructed and trained on how to do their jobs safely. For a new or young worker this means a safety orientation on the basics, hands on training for specific tasks, and providing supervision and ongoing training so they continue to work safely. Whenever a new worker joins the crew, safety is incorporated into their orientation to the worksite before they start working. This focus on safety not only helps new workers understand how to do their jobs safely, it lets them know that safety is taken seriously.

There are several orientation topics that can be covered, but there are three that must be included in every orientation.

1. Rights and Responsibilities – Everyone has a right to a safe workplace, and everyone has a role to play in keeping it safe. It’s important that new workers understand what their rights and responsibilities are, as well as what their supervisors and employers’ rights and responsibilities are.
2. Workplace Hazards – Workers must be aware of hazards, so that they will be able to let their supervisor know if they notice an unsafe condition that needs to be fixed. It is also important that hazards are identified and that the systems or measures that have been put in place to minimize the hazard are explained and understood by workers. There are tasks that require specific safe work procedures to be developed — for example, locking out machinery, hot work and fire watch, or fall protection. All workers, but especially new and young workers must be trained in these step-by-step safe work procedures. It is important that all workers have supervised, hands-on training in the tasks they will perform while on the job. Specifically, employers must ensure workers are trained how to:

1. Provide Supervision and Ongoing Training – Monitoring and mentoring is the most important part of training. Regular observation of workers ensures that they are still following safe work procedures. Employers are responsible for maintaining records of the education, training, and supervision provided to each worker. Checklists are tools used to document new and young worker orientation and training, as well as to serve as a record of the training that has taken place. Copies of training and orientation documentation is retained by both the employer and should also be retained by the worker.

Special attention is focused on young and new workers because they are at a much higher risk of injury than the overall workforce, particularly if they are male. Providing orientation and training is the best way to prevent accidents. Young workers may feel pressured and nervous, especially if it’s their first job. They want to please their employer. Being so focused on that objective – doing a great job, coupled with a lack of experience, can increase the risk of workplace injuries or illnesses.