The modern workplace is a challenging environment for anyone starting a new job, but a good training program helps new staff get adjusted in their first few weeks. Whether you provide this training in house or you use an online training system, there are a number of things that you really should cover. Here we outline the top 10 essential items to include in your staff orientations, based on our customer feedback and years of experience navigating the tricky legislative world for employers.
1. Manual Handling
Manual handling errors account for a large number of workplace accidents and lost hours through injury. Having a comprehensive manual handling training module should help to prevent many of these incidents and create a company culture of safe lifting techniques. Knowing how to lift correctly, when to gain assistance and what mechanical aids there are available in the workplace all contribute to generally safer handling.
2. First Aid
An outline of basic first aid techniques can be problematic without one-to-one training, but there is a role for a text or video based outline when staff first start. It is also important to let all staff members know who the First Aid Officer is in any company and how to contact them. Rules and requirements for documenting any accidents or injuries can also be covered in this section.
3. Fire Drill Protocol
Outline of Fire Drill procedures and protocols is critically important for new staff as they may be in the company for many months before a company fire drill is run. All staff should, at the very least, know where to assemble in the case of fire and who to report to to have their attendance logged. Basic fire safety rules and the location of firefighting and fire alarm devices should also be covered.
4. Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are generally covered as one topic and are one of the most common causes of workplace injury. In this section, new staff safety training can cover any potential workplace health and safety hazards for staff and customers. There should be a review of warning measures used in the workplace such as ‘wet surface’ signs and danger signs. Staff should be made aware of preventative measures that have already been taken such as guardrails and handrails and asked to respect these measures for their own safety.
5. Working at Heights
Many workers are surprised to know that stepping on the first step of a step ladder constitutes ‘working at heights’ in many countries. Basic safety measures for this low level height work can be covered quickly with text or image. However, if workers are working at 15 meters or more on site then professional safety training must be given in advance and tickets or licences issued to these workers.
6. Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Much of the litigation going through employment courts is taken up with harassment and workplace bullying. A lot of this could be avoided with detailed training in advance and a vigilant corporate culture to address any harassment before it happens. All new staff should be made aware of the processes that should be followed if they feel they are the subject of workplace bullying or harassment, or if they see it happening to a colleague. All management should also be trained in how to deal with this situation if a staff member comes to them with it. Protocols and procedures for dealing with these issues must be in place and followed rigorously.
7. Sick Leave/Maternity Leave/Benefits
A clear outline of sick leave and maternity leave entitlements is a must have for any new staff member to avoid any confusion once employment has commenced. Any company benefits or packages should also be clarified in advance. This can be done by simply pointing to the relevant section of the employment contract. This can be important in avoiding any disputes as the employment progresses.
8. Company Policies
In a similar vein, elements of the company policy that an employer feels may be helpful for the staff member to know from the outset can be detailed. Alternatively, the full employment contract can be introduced and attached at this stage. It is never any harm to fully inform staff of the some important details in the employment contract as they commence work.
9. Contact Information
One of the worst aspects of being a new employee is not knowing who is who at your new workplace. It eases new staff’s passage into the workplace if they are given the contact information for their ‘point people’ on site and if a photo of these people are attached, then all the better. On the flip side of this is the opportunity to collect employee information before they start work. Having all relevant qualifications, payroll details and personal information greatly helps both employer and employee in their first few weeks on the job. A system for collecting this information is a must have when hiring.
10. Video or Checklist
Finally, and in the spirit of this list, is the idea that one should use a checklist system to ensure a thorough hiring process. Hitting all the items on this list will greatly help in having a streamlined hire and can help avoid difficulties later on. Alternatively, all new staff training can be automated on a video or software system that covers all the workplace information and health and safety requirements. Despite having the best intentions in the world, it is always possible to miss a key piece of new staff training. Automating or partially automating this process is an investment that will reap rewards for all concerned. We wish you well with your new employee safety training and hope that this list makes the process a little bit easier.
