Teaching On-site Safety by Example
Have you ever worked with someone who inspired you? A hardworking person can have a powerful influence on his or her team, especially when he or she is working with someone new to the job or the company. As the co-worker of a new employee, consider yourself the most important role model during his or her first few weeks. Your attitude and your respect of policies and safety procedures could save his or her life!
Be a Safety Mentor
You know that the construction workplace is full of hazards. At Pheifer Brothers we have stressed the importance of doing your job the safe way, and we’ve given you a wealth of knowledge about the risks of the job and ways to stay safe. When you are working around others, especially if they are new to our workplace, it is your turn to share that knowledge to protect them and yourself.
It may take a while for new employees to adjust and feel like they fit in on the job. Those that have never held a job before or were employed by a firm with a weak safety program will need considerable safety instruction and leadership. While managers will attempt to train them in workplace safety as thoroughly as possible, employees will naturally look to you for advice and information. Their early impressions of the way you value safety will set the stage for their future work habits.
Always Demonstrate Safety
In this important transition time, your actions will speak louder than your words, as the saying goes. If you use a ladder carelessly or take dangerous shortcuts on scaffolding, for example, you demonstrate to a new employee that safety is not important at Pheifer Brothers. If you try to impress others by wearing jewelry or loose clothing that can be hazardous on the job, you are ultimately putting new employees that are learning from and imitating you in danger.
On the other hand, some new employees may come to from firms that emphasize safety like we do. In that case, their respect for you will grow when they see that you care about workplace safety as much as they do.
You are aware that accidents are a reality in construction and contracting work. Take care to be sure that your new co-workers are aware of the danger, too. Doing so will help to keep everyone at your worksite safe.
Think again of that co-worker that has inspired you and do your best to keep him or her in mind when you are working with new employees. Everyone will be safer when you make a good impression on a new employee, so do your part. Now is your chance to inspire!
Provided by: Hausmann-Johnson Insurance