New Employees Can Create a Health and Safety Challenge
As the New Year approaches, many individuals start considering life changes. Transitioning to a new job, exploring a different career path, or volunteering for a charity. All are exciting changes full of growth and opportunity. However, for employers, welcoming new employees or volunteers can introduce significant health and safety challenges.
Why Are New Starters at Greater Risk?
The first six months of any new job pose a higher risk of workplace accidents. Several factors contribute to this increased vulnerability (HSE).
- Lack of experience in the industry or workplace
- Unfamiliarity with job tasks and work environment
- Hesitation to raise or address concerns
- Uncertainty about how to voice safety issues
- A strong desire to impress, often at the expense of caution
- Inability to recognise potential hazards
- Limited understanding of tools, equipment, or machinery
Volunteers have unique challenges:
- They may not have formal training like regular employees.
- They might lack familiarity with workplace regulations or procedures.
- Many are part-time or temporary, which complicates induction and supervision efforts.
For employers and trustees, these risks underscore the importance of a proactive approach.
Remember that every environment is different. Different situations need to be understood.
Steps to Protect New Workers
Employers can adopt several measures to safeguard new employees, as outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
1. Assess Workers’ Abilities
Evaluate the abilities of new workers. Consider their literacy, numeracy, prior experience, physical fitness, and general health. For dynamic workplaces, assess their familiarity with evolving conditions and tasks.
2. Plan a Comprehensive Induction
Develop a well-structured induction program:
- Use simple, clear language.
- Include visuals or photos of potential hazards.
- Walk new workers through the workplace, pointing out risks like slippery surfaces or trip hazards.
3. Maintain Effective Control Measures
Regularly check that safety controls are up-to-date and functioning as intended. Emphasize the importance of reporting accidents or near-misses.
- Provide health surveillance as necessary.
- Supply and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) tailored to specific risks.
4. Provide Targeted Training
Offer practical and relevant training on workplace risks and the appropriate precautions to take. This ensures new workers can mitigate potential dangers effectively.
5. Offer Consistent Supervision
Supervisors must actively support new employees, addressing their concerns and creating an environment where it’s easy to raise safety issues. This factor is particularly vital for new employees.
6. Verify Understanding
Confirm that workers grasp the training provided and are implementing it correctly. Ensure that they know how to access help or report hazards.
7. Address Mental Health and Stress Risks:
New employees and volunteers may face stress or anxiety, which can impact their ability to focus on safety protocols. Ensure you communicate with them about the importance of their wellbeing and give them ways to report any issues that they may be experiencing.
Special Considerations for Young Workers
Young workers often lack the maturity and experience of seasoned employees, which can make them more susceptible to workplace risks. Employers must assess and manage these additional vulnerabilities. For detailed guidance, read our blog on ensuring workplace safety for young adults.
Employers and Trustees – Meet Your Duty of Care
Strong leadership includes safeguarding every member of your team. Due to their isolation, lone employees face unique challenges. These amplifies the risks, especially for newcomers. One effective way to address this challenge is by embracing technology, and tools like MyTeamSafe are designed to protect lone workers, which helps offer peace of mind for both employees and employers.
MyTeamSafe®an award-winning lone-worker App & proud supporter of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust Contact us today about our FREE trial blog@myteamsafe.com
Footnote – Are you exploring new opportunities? Check out our blog NEXT MONTH for helpful tips on finding your dream job