Induction Training Guide for New Recruits

Over 1 million people a year are injured at work so accident prevention must be every company's priority to avoid the financial costs incurred from accidents, promote more effective business performance and most importantly protect the welfare of their staff. The Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974 requires that companies provide the necessary information and training to ensure the health and safety of employees, "so far as is reasonably practicable."

This is a guide to the essentials for an induction course in health and safety.

Why do we need induction training?

Induction training is a vitally important process for both new staff and for the organisation to promote a positive health and safety culture and ensure it is legally compliant. From a health and safety point of view, the aims of induction training are to:

• provide the trainee with the information necessary for his/her safety in respect of the hazards that may be encountered at various stages of development to full job competence
• introduce the new employee to the culture of the organisation, the emphasis that it places upon health and safety for example.

There is a dilemma between the need to cover a wide range of health, safety and organisational topics, and the limited ability of the new recruit to absorb and retain information about a new and unfamiliar job and workplace.

Many organisations will have standard induction training packages, but where possible, induction training should be tailored to the needs of individuals as part of a planned programme of development.

Day 1

• company policy statement
• company site wide rules
• precautions concerning only the hazards that the recruit might face during the first few days
• an introduction to the organisation's safety culture and the behaviour that is expected
• any limitations on what they may do, where they may go (including the reasons)
• emergency procedures
• first-aid arrangements, welfare and amenity provisions
• reporting procedures for accidents and dangerous situations
• health surveillance procedures

The training given on day 1 should be simple and brief. It is often given off-the job, i.e. in a classroom.

First week

• company health and safety policy
• organisation and arrangements for health and safety
• management commitment to health and safety and the culture of the organisation
• line management responsibilities for health and safety
• key individuals such as the supervisor, safety representative, first-aider
• consultative procedures and the role of safety representatives
• the hazards and risks in the department / the job
• precautions and protection required
• local procedures and requirements relating to, for example, personal
• protective equipment or drink and drugs

During the first 6 months

The remaining specific needs of the recruit will be addressed in the most appropriate manner. The level of supervision that is necessary should gradually reduce as the individual is able to demonstrate increasing competence.

It is impossible to develop instant competence, the basic principle is that where competence is necessary in order to avoid exposure to hazards, people must be kept away from those hazards or be adequately supervised by a person who is competent.

View Online Sample of NEBOSH Certificate Notes