J:

Safety
Orientation

Module Purpose

Safety orientation provides a unique opportunity to make a positive statement about

the value the organization places on safety, In addition to providing newly assigned
employees with the skills and abilities to safely perform their jobs. As such, safety
orientation should be planned and implemented to assure that a systematic and
prescribed orccees Is established throughout the organization.

The purpose of this module Is to acquaintyou with individual and organizational

benefits of safety orientation as you review key topics that are part of an effective
safety orientation. You wUI assess the level of safety orientation currently
implemented at your workplace, as well as the orlentatlon needs of employees in a
work..related scenario.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognize the individual and organizational benefits of safety orientation.

• Assess your current safety orientation program.

• Identify who needs safety orientation.

• Identify topics that should be included in a safety orientation.

• Assess the safety orientation needs of employees In a work-related scenario.

• Assess gaps and identify a key action to take with safety orientation at your
workplace .

• Principles of Occupational Safety and Health

© 2003 National Safety Council
Participant Guide
Module 11Page 1
SAFETY ORIENTATION

Reference Materials CD:

•
• OSHA 2019: OSHA Publications and Audiovisual Programs

Partlell'snt Guide
Mt')dl,ll~ 17 Page 2
Princlple$ of Occupatlonsl Safety and Health
@ 2003 National Safety Council

.'
 SAFETY ORieNTATION

Safety Orientation as Part of a Safety Management System

• A key aspect of training is the provision of skills and knowledge to improve on-the­
job performance. Training is an essential component of a successful safety
management system.

Safety orientation is a specific type of training that supports goals to improve on-the­
job safety performance.

Definition of Safety Safety orientation focuses on providing knowledge and

Orientation skills to an employee who Is new to the organization or
new to a task. Orientation is the period of time during
which one adapts and adjusts to a new situation,
environment, and responsibilities.

Orientation programs may be provided in a variety of

ways.

• Regularly scheduled sessions for new employees

weekly I bi-weekly, or monthly.

• Individual sessions for new or transferred employees

as needed.

• eneflt, of Safety The benefits to an employee include:

Orientation
.. Introduction to the safety and health goals of the
organization.

• Increased understanding of speci'fic job tasks and

responsibilities.

• Understanding of and respect for safety and health

programs, policies, and procedures.

The benefits to the organization Inelude:

• Improved emplovee performanoe.

• Fewer Incidents.

• Reduced costs .

• Principles of Occupational Safety and Health

© 2003 National Safety Council
Participant Guide
Module 17 Page 3
 SAFeTY ORIENTATION

Safety Orientation as Part of a

Safety Management System (continued)
Injury Facts An effective safety orientation program may also save
money and prevent workplaoe incidents since new or
transferred employees are significantly more prone to
work-related Injury or death. This is attributed to the
inexperience of new workers. their unfamiliarity with
•
procedures and facilities; and their desire to do the work.

Consider the following injury facts on work-related

fatalities and injuries. Fill in the blanks as the facilitator
provides the information.

Work-Related Fatalities and Injuries

• Almost F % of all work..related injuries occur within thefirst 12 months at

-

a new position/task.

• One work"rei.ted death ocours every minutes.

• One WOrk"related Injury ooours every seconds.

• The number of work days lost due to work-related Injuries Is million.

Flartlcipant Guide Principles ofOCcupational Safety and Health

Module 17 Page 4
© 2003 National Safely Council
 SAFETY ORIBNT"TION

Activity: Assessing Your Current Safety Orientation Program

Directions: It Is Important to understand what kind of safety orientation Is currently

in plaoe In your workplace If you wish to improve it. To the best of your knowledge,
respond to the following questions about safety orientation programs at your facility.

1. Is there a written safety orientation program in your facility?

2. List the employee groups who receive safety orientation (Le. new front-line
employees. transferred employees. etc.).

3. List some of the topics In the safety orientation program.

4. According to company policy or practice, when are courses provided (l.e, prior to
job assignment, once a quarter, etc.)?

5. What is the role of the line supervisor in the safety orientation process?

e
!

j:lrinclr;Jlee of Occupational Safety and Health

© 2003 National Safety Council
Participant Guide
Module 17 Page 5
SAFETV OftlENTATION
. .. R ,_

Identifying Employees and Topics for Safety Orientation

Safety orientation is appropriate for all employees at various times on the job.

Different types of employees who need safety orientation are listed below. as well as _

orientation topics. •

Who Requires Safety • New hires for any job. Including office workers
Orientation?
• Employees who are promoted or reassigned to a
different position

• Employees returning from an extended leave

• Employees working on a process or equipment where

modifications have been made

• Employees relocated to another facility or If the facility

has moved

• Seasonal employees

• Part-time employees

• Contractors

• Ve!'ldors
• Visitors

Identifying Topics for Planning safety orientation requires consideration of all

Orientation possible toplos.

• New employees need general information about the

company, policy statements, and benefits. Safety
topics include those that are critical for the first 1·2
weeks on the job.

• Transferred and promoted employees need guidelines

about new responsibilities. Safety topics include
those that are unique to the new position.

• Seasonal, part-time, and oontract employees need

specific information about theirjob responsibilities.
Safety topics include those that apply to full-time
employees.

Pa~lcl~ant Guide Principles of Occupational Safety and Health

MOdule 17Page 6 © 2003 National Safety Council
 SAFETY ORIENTATION

Activity: Assessing Safety Orientation Topics

Directions: The followln; topics should be considered for inclusion in a safety

orientation program. Does your workplace conduct orientation on the following
topics? Review the topics and check "yes" or "no",
--- -

INo
-

Topic
- ----- -- -
I Yes
Safety, Health. and Environmental Policy Statements
- _...
e t:]
----

Housekeeping Standards I:J

_.
o
Hazard Communication
-- ... ­
o LI
-_ ...

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE:) LJ CJ

.. -- , . - ._-- ­

Emergency Response Procedures LJ LI

Incident 'Reporting Procedures CI t:J
Incident Investigation Procedures LI (]
... -

Lockoutrragout Procedures LI LI
Maohlne Guarding (If applicable) CI LJ
Electrical Safety Awareness t:I r:J
Ladder Use and Storage (Ifapplicable) o C
. -.

Confined Space Entry (if applicable) LI LI

_.- ...

First Aid/CPR [j a
Fire Prevention and Protection LJ c:J
.

Hand Tool Safety LI a

Ergonomic Principles L:I CI
. . . .­ -- -_.

Other: LJ CJ
~I"'"-''I'~-'''''''~,'~'''''''

Other:
_.-.
0 o

Principles of Occupational Safety and Health Participant Guide

© 2003 National Safety Council Module 11 Page 7
 SAFETY ORIENTA'rION
Ii .. - ,- -, . .. : •.

Activity: Evaluating Commitment to Safety Orientation

Directions: A formal safety orientation program should be provided prior to job A.

assignment. The program should provide employees, contractors, and temporary •
workers with sufficient skills and knowledge to enable them to perform their job
safely. A company or facility can demonstrate its commitment to a safety orientation
program in many ways. The following chart lists some criteria for evaluating that
commitment. Consider the current level of commitment to safety orientation in your
facility and explain how each of the criteria is demonstrated.

I
-

Criteria How Is This Demonstrated? __

Timing

Management commitment

Supervisor commitment

Employee oommltment

Goals

Testing

Follow..up

Participant Guide Principles of Occup~iiorial Safety and Health

Module 17Page 8 © 2003 National Safety Council
 SAFETY ORIENTATION

Activity: Identifying Safety Orientation Needs

Directions: You are the Safety Director for the Orlent-x-Press Company. The Vice
President of Operations, to whom you report, has asked you to re-examine the
safety orientation program, Recently, a transferred employee was almost blinded in
a work-related incident.

Considering all of the information presented in this module, what orientation topics
would you suggest for the following employees?

1, Ramon Wilson, an experienced warehouse worker has returned from a 3-month

family leave. There have been changes In the warehouse, including new forklift
trucks.

2. Jack Watkins, a new pipefitter started work yesterday. He's noton the plant floor
yet, but by tomorrow hecould be aselgned to his area.

3. Mary Roberts transferred from advertising to sales. She will be covering the
north side of the city, using one of the company's fleet vehicles.

4. David Mlchaels t an HVAC contractor, is coming to the faoility tomorrow to repair

an air oonditionlng unit.

Use the following charts to listthe courses each employee should complete; a brief
rationale for each course, and a tlmeframe (e.g., prior to working Ina new position,
within one week of starting the newJob, etc.) during wl:llch each employee should be
trained.

Principles of Occupational Safety and Health Participant Guide

© 2003 National Safety Council Module 17 Page 9
SA!!!TY ORIENTATION

Activity: Identifying Safety Orientation Needs (continued)

1. Courses for Tlmeframe

Ramon Wilson
Rationale for
..
Completion
1.

.­

2.

-" .­
3.

'4.
.-.
-

..
_
. -
Tlm.frame
2. Courses for Rationale for
Jack Watkins
.. -
Completion
1.
. - -. -_.
2.

3.
.. . . ._­ ..

4.

Participant Guide Principles of Occupational Safety and Health

Module 17 Page 10 © 2003 National Safety Council

 SAFETY~ORIENTA TION

Activity: Identifying Safety Orientation Needs (continued)

Timeframe
3. Courses for
Rationale for
Mary Roberts
Completion
1.

2.

3.

4.
. _. -­ - ---­..

-
4. _Courses for Tlmeframe
Rationale for
Dav!d M!chae!s
ComDletl~1l
1.
_.­ ... ­
-­
2.
.­ - ...

3.
._­
4.
-­ -­ - -

• Principles of Occupational Safety and Health

© 2003 National Safety Council
Participant Guide
Module 17 Page 11
SAFETY
=
ORIENTATION

Participant Guide PrlMlples Of Oeo~tlonal Safety and Health

Module 17 Page 12 © 2003 National Safety Council
 SAFETY ORIENTATION

Gap Analysis for Safety Orientation

_...

Assess - Establish BaseUne PI$n

Primary Considerations yes no Current Status.. Set Goals
Employees Requiring
Safety Orientation
1. Is safety orientation
provided to all

CJ o
appropriate employees,

contractors, vendors,

and visitors?

Topics for Safety

Orientation
2. Are all appropriate LJ LI
toplos included?
3. Does your company's CI LJ
safety orientation

program meet all

regulatory

requirements?

_._ . . .

Evaluating Commitment
to Safety Orlantatlon
4. Is there a written policy o CI I
on safety orientation?
5. Issafety orientation LI LJ
conduoted in a timely
manner?
6. Is safety orientation fUlly
supported by
o a
management?
7. Are employees LI LI
committed to safety
orientation?
8. Do safety orientation LI 0
programs link safety

and health to quality

and productivity?

9. Are safety orientation

programs regularly

a 0
evaluated and updated?

Principles Of Occupational Safety and Health Participant Guide

© 2003 National Safety Council Module 17 Page 13
SAFETY ORIENTATiON

Gap Analysis for Safety Orientation (continued)

­
A$sess .... Establish Baseline __

Pian
Primary Considerations yes no Current Status SetGoals
Orientation Needs
10. Are orientation needs 0 LI
matched to employees
so each receives a
thorough/appropriated
orientation?
11. Are records kept of L1 LJ
attendance and results?

Participant Guide Principles -of OecupatlonalSafety and Health

Module 17Page 14 © 2003 National Safety Council
 SAFETY ORIENTATION

Priorities for Action

Safety Orientation
Directions: An important part of planning is having a clear understanding about
current safety efforts in your workplace - Including what is currently in place and
necessary improvements.

1. Think about the topics and issues that were addressed in this module.

2. List an action that would improve safety orientation at your workplace In the form
below.

3. Also, identify resources needed, people involved, and potential barriers.

- - ---­

Action 10 Take Resources Needed People Involved

- - - -­ -

- - - -­

Potential Barriers
- -

Principles ofOccupational Safety and Health Participant Guide

© 2003 National Safety Council Module 17 Page 15
SAPETY ORIENTATION

Participant Guide Principles of Oocupational Safety and Health

Module 17 Page 16 © 2003 National Safety Council