Topics for orientation include information about
employer and worker rights and responsibilities,
known hazards of the worksite, contact
information (supervisor, joint committee and/or
worker representative), information about your
health and safety program, policies for working
alone or in isolation, information about potential
violence in the workplace, first aid, emergency
response, WHMIS, and bullying and harassment.
Training, on the other hand, should relate to the
instruction and demonstration of specific work
tasks or processes and site specific policies and
procedures. Effective training involves providing
an overview of each task, including all safety
precautions and safe work procedures. You
should also demonstrate and describe each
task, going through the steps slowly and
answering questions to be sure the worker
understands.
After orientation, be sure to check in on the
worker periodically to make sure they continue
to work safely. Retrain if necessary, and
document all you’ve done.
For more details on what’s required, view
Support for Employers: Training and Orientation
for Young and New Workers (a resource on the
WorkSafeBC.com website.)
If your new workers are
young, think about the
training techniques that
might resonate with them.
Millennials (born 1980-1996), for instance, grew
up alongside technological advancements.
They are team-oriented, able to multi-task and
are tech savvy. They have come through a
world with widespread coverage of violence
and uncertainty (9/11, school shootings, etc.)
and safety is important to them.
Gen Z (1997-2015) youth grew up with
lockdown drills, frequent discussions of internet
safety, and a focus on anti-bullying. They are
technology natives and multi-task even more
than millennials. They, too, are safety conscious.
They value diversity and inclusion, they tend to
have short attention spans, and they demand
relevance.
Here are some suggestions when planning
training and orientation for workers in the Gen Z
or Millennial category:
• These are “game oriented” individuals;
consider gamifying safety if possible
• Use social media to enhance training
and orientation
• Text safety messages to them
• Use short, bite-sized pieces of information
(microlearning)
• Ask their opinion
• Use technology, but keep the human
element
• Be supportive
• Keep lines of communication open
• Give frequent, prompt, short feedback
For more information about new and young
workers, visit WorkSafeBC.com. Questions?
Email [email protected].
Summer 2019 Edition: Orientation
Safety Scene 15