Workplace Safety: Preventing Hazards and Protecting Workers
Workplace safety is essential for protecting employees and ensuring a productive environment. New and young workers are among the most vulnerable, often due to a lack of training or awareness of workplace hazards. Studies show that workers in their first month on the job are significantly more likely to be injured than experienced employees.
Closing the Knowledge Gap: What Every Worker Should Know
New employees may not know what to expect from their employer or supervisor—or even what safety questions to ask. Every worker should be aware of:
- Workplace hazards and reporting procedures.
- Required personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to use it.
- The company’s health and safety policy, emergency plan, and first aid station location.
- Hazardous materials (WHMIS) information.
- The workplace violence and harassment prevention policy.
- Their rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Employer, Supervisor & Worker Responsibilities
Under the OHSA, employers must ensure workers are aware of hazards and trained on safe practices. Supervisors must enforce health and safety procedures, while workers must follow safety policies, wear required PPE, and report hazards immediately.
Common Workplace Hazards & Injuries
Workplace injuries happen across all industries. Some of the most common risks include:
- Slips, trips, and falls due to wet floors, clutter, or unsafe platforms.
- Repetitive strain injuries from poor ergonomics or lifting heavy items incorrectly.
- Machinery-related incidents where workers get caught in or struck by equipment.
- Motorized vehicle accidents, such as forklift or delivery truck collisions.
- Workplace violence, which can occur in any industry.
Prioritizing Safety for Young & New Workers
As organizations prepare to hire seasonal workers, safety training should be part of every orientation program. New employees need clear guidance on hazard awareness, reporting procedures, and workplace rights to reduce injury risks.
At HR Proactive Inc., we provide Young Worker Health & Safety Awareness Training to help businesses meet legal requirements and foster a culture of safety. Since 1997, we’ve been a trusted provider of compliance training across North America.
Investing in safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting lives.
