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Communication is critical to a safe and healthy workplace
All of the safety policies and procedures you develop are useless if your workers are not made aware of them and trained in how to apply them. Decide what orientation and training you will provide to your workers and when.
Laying the groundwork with a solid orientation
Start new workers —and transfers from other work areas—with a solid orientation. Cover information relevant to their safety and health, such as:
When is training needed?
Training is needed whenever you introduce new equipment, processes, or procedures into the workplace. Training is also needed whenever you have instances of unacceptable safety and health performance.
Be aware of differences in language skills, literacy skills, and culture when communicating safety and health information. Adapt your communication style when necessary.
Checklist for safety and health training for your workers
Checklist for safety and health training for your supervisors
Include all of the training provided to workers, plus:
Off-the-job safety and health
Your conversations about safety and health don’t have to be limited to work-related activities. As a small business owner, you depend on every worker being available for work. An off-the-job injury can have as much impact on their ability to work as a work-related injury. Providing information about non-work-related hazards can help to show your workers that you value their contribution to your company and can also help to create a comfort level around raising safety concerns.
In addition to orientation and training, the following activities can help you communicate your safety and health messaging:
Creating clear and open communication at all levels in the workplace will encourage everyone’s support for, and participation in, safety and health activities. Workers will be more likely to follow safety and health procedures when they have been involved in their development.