New Worker Site Orientation

Why it matters

Workers in their first month get hurt at several times the rate of everyone else. Not because they are careless, but because nobody told them where the hazards live on this particular site. Ten minutes of orientation on day one is the cheapest injury prevention there is.

Hazards

• ⚠ New hires not knowing site-specific hazards and rules
• ⚠ Assumed experience: "he said he has done roofing before"
• ⚠ No assigned buddy, so questions go unasked
• ⚠ Missing PPE on day one, borrowed or improvised
• ⚠ Not knowing the emergency plan, muster point, or first aid location

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ Employer must instruct each employee in hazard recognition and avoidance, per 1926.21(b)(2). Do it on day one, on this site.
• ✓ Walk the site: hazards, restricted zones, overhead work, traffic paths, and where things change daily.
• ✓ Assign a buddy for the first week; make asking questions the expectation, not a weakness.
• ✓ Verify PPE before the first task, and verify claimed skills by watching the first hour, not by the resume.
• ✓ Cover the emergency basics: site address, muster point, first aid kit, who calls 911.
• ✓ Check in at the end of day one and end of week one; that is when the real questions come out.

Crew discussion questions

1. Who is new on this site in the last month, and who is their buddy?
2. What would we want told to us on day one at this specific site?
3. Can the newest person here state the site address and muster point?
4. What task today should not be done alone by someone new?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.21

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