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 who is new to the job or to 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 for policies and safety in the workplace could save his or her life!

Be a Workplace Safety Mentor

You know that the workplace is full of potential hazards. 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.

Lead by Example

In this important transition time, your actions will speak louder than your words. If you are careless, you will demonstrate to a new employee that safety is not important. 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 and imitating you in danger.

On the other hand, some new employees may come from firms that emphasize safety just as much as we do. In that case, their personal respect for you will grow when they see that you care about workplace safety just as much as they do.

You are aware that debilitating accidents are a reality in the workplace. Be sure that your new co-workers are aware of the danger, too. Doing so will keep everyone at our worksite safe.

Think again of that co-worker who 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!