Health and Safety A-Z
Topic: Orientation
Summary:
Statistics show that during their first month of work new workers are three times more likely to be hurt on the job than their co-workers are.
One of the realities for new workers is that they simply don’t know many of the things their more experienced co-workers take for granted. Examples might include:
Basic emergency procedures
The location of the first aid kit
911 vs. 9-911
H&S policies and procedures
The fridge is used for food (vs. the fridge used for samples!)
Training requirements and expectations
Personal protective equipment (PPE) expectations and procedures
And so on…
H&S Orientation describes a process where a more experienced worker, often a supervisor, meets with a new worker to explain basic workplace procedures and requirements and to answer questions. There is usually a lot to learn, so orientation ideally involves a series of meetings that begin on or before the first day of work.
Supervisors and managers should ensure all new workers complete an H&S orientation session as soon as possible after beginning work.
Orientation checklists can be found on the University’s H&S website and portal and on the webpages listed below.
For More Information See:
Trent University New Employee Orientation Form
Additional Resources:
Employee Orientation Checklist, CCOHS
Last Revised: April 26, 2019