Does your company take a Health & Safety induction of new employees?

Tuesday May 7, 2019 10:59

Does your company complete a Health and Safety induction of new employees?

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, these are required.

Q: "Why are Health and Safety inductions so important?"

• It is a way of ensuring new employees (workers) are aware of the risks and hazards that are involved in working for you
• New worker should be shown what to do if an emergency should occur while at work

It is important that in taking your new worker or employee through the health and safety induction that they understand what you have told them.

A simple questionnaire is a good idea to check that they have understood what they have been told.

Q: "When should Health and Safety inductions be completed?"

There is no specific timeframe on a health and safety induction. However, common sense says it should be taken at the start of someone’s employment.

This is because it may take a week or more as you show them how to use particular machinery or undertake specific jobs or tasks, and ensure that they are competent before you let them lose on the job or machine by themselves.

Q: "Who should the new employee meet during the Health and Safety induction?"

Introduce the new employee to people that are likely to be called upon in an emergency.

Include:

• Their supervisors
• Their managers
• Fellow workers
• Fire Warden
• Building Warden
• First Aider(s)

People in all these roles have specific responsibilities in an emergency, and a Fire Warden and/or Building Warden will instruct the worker on what to do, plus, where to assemble.

Q: "What else should the new employee look at during the Health and Safety induction?"

• Be sure to identify any specific worksite hazards that are on site plus those that could impact upon the new workers role
• Take the new employee through your company’s Risk Register
• Physically show them where the Health and Safety Notice Board, the fire extinguishers/hose reels/fire alarms and the First Aid kit are located

Some businesses even provide the new worker with a “workbook” that explains the various risks and emergency information and forms the basis of the new employee’s health and safety induction questionnaire.

Early identification and understanding of potential risks through an enlightened and prompt induction programme, will reduce exposures to both the worker and your organisation.

Any Questions About Health & Safety Inductions For Your New Employees?

Please contact your Securo Safety Consultant directly or call Securo Head Office on 0800 55 33 44, or email info@securo.co.nz.

(Image credit: TheListings.co.nz)