.png)
A health and safety induction is the foundation of a safe and productive workplace. It ensures new employees or contractors are prepared to recognise hazards, follow safety procedures, and adopt safe working practices. This induction not only protects employees but also builds a culture of safety and compliance, ensuring everyone contributes to a safer work environment.
A health and safety induction is a procedure to introduce new employees or contractors to essential safety practices and workplace protocols. It's a vital first step in ensuring their well-being and compliance with legal safety standards. This induction lays the foundations for a safe workplace by equipping staff with the knowledge to handle hazards, emergencies, and responsibilities effectively.
Protect New and Young Workers: Statistics show that 35% of workplace injuries occur to employees in their first year (1), with young workers under 25 being twice as likely to get injured compared to their older colleagues. Key risks include inexperience, lack of training, and complacency, which makes early and effective safety inductions critical.
Prevent Accidents and Losses: The British Columbia’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation found that 50% of young workers were hurt in their first six months on the job. (2)
All this goes to show why conducting a occupational health and safety induction for new employees and contractors is essential. Here are other reasons why:
New workers face diverse challenges based on their backgrounds and circumstances. Recognising these differences helps create better safety measures.
%2520(1).jpeg)
Young workers under 25 are more prone to injuries due to limited experience and developing bodies. They are twice as likely to get hurt as older workers, often due to overconfidence and lack of hazard awareness. Injuries at a young age can have lasting effects.
Foreign-born workers face additional risks from language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar safety rules. In 2021, in the US workplace fatalities among Hispanic workers rose 42% (3), highlighting the dangers of unclear communication and unsafe conditions.
Older workers may rely on outdated practices or underestimate new risks, increasing their injury chances. Complacency and job-specific inexperience can make transitioning to new roles hazardous.
Even seasoned employees face risks when adapting to new tasks, technologies, or environments. Temporary workers or those in shifting roles may lack the training needed to stay safe.
New employees and contractors must understand workplace risks and how to manage them. Identifying potential hazards and learning safety procedures ensures they are prepared to work safely from day one.
.jpeg)
New workers face a steep learning curve as they adapt to new tasks, hazards, and workplace culture. They must also feel confident refusing unsafe work and raising safety concerns. High injury rates among new hires highlight the importance of proper safety orientation, trust-building, and ongoing support. Ensuring a safe and effective transition during the first 90 days is critical to reducing risks and fostering a culture of safety.
Safety onboarding ensures new employees receive the same safety training as existing staff, but this is often neglected. Research shows only 20% of new workers recall receiving safety training (4), with many employers delaying it due to cost or probationary periods. This delay signals to workers that safety is a low priority. Even when training is provided, ineffective delivery can lead to forgotten lessons, leaving employees unprepared in unfamiliar environments.
After the initial 90 days, employees begin to settle into their roles, but the focus on safety must remain strong. As they gain confidence and familiarity with their environment, the risk of complacency increases. Ongoing training, regular communication about hazards, and reinforcement of safety protocols are essential to maintain good safety habits. By continuing to support employees beyond their first months, organisations can solidify a culture of safety and ensure long-term engagement and well-being.
Safety is not just a priority during the initial months of employment—it’s a lifelong commitment. YOUFactors support this ongoing journey and provides support for health and safety training beyond the initial induction. By integrating digital nudges and microlearning, YOUFactors helps employees:
A health and safety induction is just the beginning of a journey. With YOUFactors, employees develop habits that keep them safe throughout their careers.
YOUFactors makes safety training simple and effective. This health and safety app ensures employees build lasting safety habits, reduce risks and improve workplace safety culture.
Start your free trial today and see how YOUFactors transforms safety inductions into lifelong learning experiences.
Sources:
.webp){kind=icon}
Your Trusted Companion for Safer Habits
The YOUFactors app helps you and your team reduce human errors that cause accidents, enhancing safety and increasing productivity both at work and at home.
%20(1).png)
Explore more insights and strategies to enhance your workplace safety
Safety training is important, but let’s be honest—it can sometimes fall flat. Learn how to avoid common mistakes and make your sessions something your team will actually remember (and maybe even enjoy).
.avif)
Microlearning in the workplace is an efficient way to enhance training by delivering short, focused modules that improve knowledge retention and reduce cognitive overload. With a 17% boost in learning efficiency, it’s a cost-effective, scalable solution ideal for today’s fast-paced work environment.