Look outside. Is it snowing? It’s not uncommon to see the flakes fly, even as late as April. But many of you have probably already put your minds to the summer months and how your organization will handle increased business needs with decreased labour. Enter: your part-time summer staff.
Onboarding is Essential
Your summer staff is only going to be with you for a few short months. Bypassing onboarding training because they won’t be employed long is understandably tempting. However, doing so could result in an employee being injured or killed. Yes, killed.
New and Young Workers are Most at Risk
New workers, regardless of age, are four times more likely to be injured. Young workers are at especially high risk. In 2018, 27 workers aged 15-24 died on the job in Canada. New and young workers are getting injured at higher rates. Why? There are a few possible explanations:
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- Lack of safety training and orientation
- Young workers do not know their rights, including the right to refuse unsafe work or ask for training
- Young workers are afraid to express concerns or report hazards for various social reasons
- New employees don’t want to “rock” the boat by reporting or asking questions
- New workers are trying to impress and may attempt to do jobs before being trained
Sign up for Safety Awareness for New Employees online training today!
What to Include in Your Orientation Program
Onboarding is training that new employees receive that includes work-specific instruction, all mandatory and workplace-specific safety training, information about the culture in the workplace, and a social component that includes support from coworkers. A typical onboarding program may include the following:
Job Training:
To set new employees up for success, they need to receive role descriptions along with clear expectations. Tools that are required for the job need to be made available. Coaching and mentoring from superiors and job training are an important part of providing specific role training.
Workplace Safety Training:
There is mandatory safety training that all employees must take, regardless of if they’re summer temps or full time. This includes:
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- WHMIS that is specific to the workplace
- AODA
- Worker Safety Awareness
- Workplace Violence and Harassment
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Then there’s the role-specific safety training. Is your summer staff going to be driving lift trucks? Handling propane? Using Aerial Lifts? Ladders? Using other construction machinery or tools? Working in or around confined spaces such as manure pits or silos? Your summer staff needs safety training for all job-specific hazards. BEST Safety Training offers all this training and more! See a full course catalogue.
BEST Safety Training offers a three-part online Onboarding training program. To learn more, visit the website or contact us
Socialization:
Social acceptance is required for employees to feel that they have social support in their new roles. It helps employees build the confidence and camaraderie required for success. Socialization also includes things like showing employees where to put their lunch, where the bathrooms are, and how to clock in and out.
Organizational Culture:
The last piece of an onboarding program is giving information about the workplace culture. Cultures vary so widely from company to company; give new employees the best chance of success by ensuring that they understand the unique culture at your place of business. Include a preview of your company’s values and mission, outline company norms, and give workers an idea of what the general environment is like. This is a great time to also go over expectations around behaviour and professionalism.
Not Sure Where to Start? Best Safety Training Can Help
Download this FREE Onboarding Preparation Calendar, courtesy of BEST Safety Training and Consulting.
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To ask questions about our training programs or to learn more about our online training options, contact us online or call 226.777.7385. Visit us 24/7 on the web at bestsafetytraining.ca.