6 Tips for New and Young Workers to Stay Safe on the Job

As an occupational health and safety company, we cannot stress enough how important it is that new and young workers prioritize their safety on the job. After all, the most important thing every worker can do is return home safely at the end of each shift. While safety is a shared responsibility among employers, managers, and colleagues, individual workers have a role in promoting safety and preventing incidents. When we refer to new workers, we are not solely referring to individuals new to the workforce. New workers refer to anyone new to a job sector, career, or the workforce. In this blog, we’ll share six practical tips that every young or new worker can follow to take ownership of their safety and make their workplace a safer and healthier environment for everyone.

Tip #1: Report Hazards

As an employee, it is your right and duty under the Occupational Health & Safety Act to report any health and safety concerns (e.g., hazards) to your supervisor or employer. If you see anything hazardous, or if you see something you believe to be hazardous, even if it involves another worker, tell your supervisor immediately. Reporting potential hazards not only keeps you and your coworkers safe on the job, it’s also the law.

Tip #2: Follow All Safety Rules

Another major thing new and young workers can do to stay safe on the job is to follow all safety rules. Following all safety rules is not just important for employee well-being. It is critical for the overall operation of the workplace. We recommend becoming an expert in your workplace safety rules. You can do this by requesting physical copies of safety rules and policies, taking detailed notes in safety training, and asking your supervisor for clarification if you are unsure about something.

Tip #3: Be Honest

Being completely honest about your capabilities is vital. Many workers, especially those new to the role or the workforce, are eager to please and prove their worth. These notions can cause workers to be reluctant to say no to tasks, even if they are beyond their capabilities. This mentality can lead to workers putting themselves at risk. We implore all workers to be honest and inform the supervisor if a task is too much. There is plenty of time to learn how to complete tasks safely in the future.

Tip #4: Never Assume

Supervisors consider a wide variety of factors when planning and assigning work. Part of this process involves understanding the hazards of the job, what controls are in place, what resources are required, and even what other work activities might affect the workers they supervise. This is why it is so important to follow your supervisor’s directions and utilize their guidance as much as possible. Even activities that appear simple at first can have safety implications.

Consider painting a wall: something that happens in almost any workplace as part of routine building maintenance. Many paints or coatings contain hazardous chemicals that can be dangerous if inhaled, even when you are far from where the paint is applied. A supervisor would need to ensure that the workers painting the wall have the appropriate respiratory protection and ventilation and that workers who do not need to be in the area stay away until the paint has dried.

Tip #5: Talk to Your Family and Friends

For new and young workers, knowledge of proper workplace practices may be limited, and identifying potential workplace problems can be difficult. If there is something at work that you feel uncomfortable about, discuss it with family, friends, or other support systems to get fresh perspectives. Discussing things that are weighing on your mind with others can help you organize your thoughts and decide on what to do next. We would like to note that this does not mean discussing confidential information, but simply to use your supports systems as a “sounding board” to express your thoughts and concerns.

Tip #6: Report Injuries

The goal is to prevent injuries, but we know that despite all precautions, injuries can still happen. We want to emphasize that workers are not in trouble when they get injured at work. Injuries happen and workers have a duty to report them, and employers have reporting obligations to fulfill. In the circumstance where a workplace incident occurs and an injury happens, report it to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible. Reporting injuries, even if they are minor, is important for multiple reasons. Firstly, incident reports help identify where there are hazards within the workplace.

By analyzing how workers have gotten hurt in the past, employers can try to prevent it from happening again. Secondly, encouraging workers to promptly report injuries helps promote a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and supports worker’s compensation claims. We also recommend sharing information about the injury to your family as well.

In conclusion, while workplace safety is a collective duty, there are practical steps everyone can take to protect themselves in the workplace. By following all safety rules, reporting hazards and injuries, being honest about capabilities, never assuming, and talking to family and friends, new and young workers can prioritize their safety at work.

How Can HSPI Help?

We offer a variety of training courses to support New and Young Workers entering the workforce.

• New and Young Worker Health and Safety Training

Reach out to us using our contact form to learn more about resources available for new and young workers.