Too often, companies make the mistake of rushing through their orientation, failing to realize that each worker brings to the forefront different experiences and varying skill sets. Therefore, each worker may have different comfort levels with their new jobs, as well as different learning needs.
What is employee orientation?
Employee orientation is a vital aspect of any company’s health and safety management system. It is the process of introducing new, inexperienced or transferred workers to the organization; specifically, to their supervisors, co-workers, work environment and job task.
The importance of employee orientation and its benefits
The employee orientation is important because it provides new workers with the relevant safety training about their job position and task, as well as informing them of work hazards. Additionally, an orientation provides new workers with the opportunity to learn about the company and to clarify anything they’re unsure of. Orientating new workers can also be significantly beneficial to a company. Some of the benefits of employee orientation include:
- Awareness of workplace health and safety hazards, as well as how these work hazards can be controlled.
- Reduced risk of potential injuries, accidents and illnesses.
- Demonstrates the company’s due diligence/legislative compliance.
- Increased employee efficiency, which leads to increased productivity.
- Increased retention rates thereby reducing turnover.
- Brings to the forefront the company’s moral obligations to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
Eight topics employee orientation should cover
1)
Employer contact information – This information is important in case of emergencies. This should include the details of a worker’s supervisor, manager, department head and relevant administrative staff.
2)
Safety representative contact information – Employers are required to appoint a safety representative and committee to promote health and safety in the workplace. A worker should be informed of the company’s safety culture and the correct procedure to follow to highlight safety concerns.
3)
Employer and employee rights and responsibilities – Some workers may believe that only managers/supervisors are responsible for workplace safety. The rights and responsibilities of employer and employees should be outlined to clarify any potential confusion.
4)
Health and safety procedures and codes of practice related to the worker’s assigned job task – Employers are required to provide information on the correct operating procedures worker’s need to follow in their jobs. The orientation needs to include safety training and an explanation of what is expected of the worker in their job.
5)
First aid and reporting injuries and illnesses -Employers are required to establish, maintain and visibly post all information regarding first aid procedures and best practices. There should be a first aid reporting template and injury/illness reporting template provided.
6)
Accident/incident reporting procedures – All workers need to be aware of the company’s procedure. Safety training should include information on a company’s accident/incident reporting procedure and should emphasize the importance of accident reporting on a company’s safety standards.
7)
Emergency procedures and preparedness emergency – Emergencies are by their nature unexpected and so it is vital that workers know what to do when one occurs. Workers should be made aware of any potential work hazards as well as the company’s emergency contact personnel and the evacuation plan that should be followed in case of an emergency. Workers should be encouraged to give their input as it relates to the emergency plan.
8)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) – The importance of using the appropriate PPE should be emphasized to workers in the orientation. There should be a company plan relating to all aspects of PPE including maintaining, inspecting, purchasing and replacing equipment.
There are many more areas you may want to cover in your orientation but these eight topics are a great place to start. Employee orientations are a hugely important cog in any company’s safety management system. It is a great opportunity to instill a
safety ethos in your workers, helping to lower the rate of accidents and improve your company’s productivity.
