Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

3 Things Every New Hire Should Know on Day One

11 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this short instructional video, speaker Anthony LaFazia emphasizes that a new employee’s first week is the most hazardous period on the job because they are simultaneously learning equipment, layout, and workplace culture. While typical onboarding focuses on paperwork, he highlights three critical safety elements that are often omitted: (1) emergency preparedness – knowing the locations of exits, alarms, and shut‑off controls before the day gets busy; (2) how to report hazards and speak up without fear of retaliation, ensuring new hires understand the proper reporting channels; and (3) assigning a buddy or mentor for the first week so the new employee has a trusted point of contact for questions and guidance. He directs viewers to download a free New Hire Safety Onboarding Checklist linked in the video’s bio.

Chapters

Your new hire's first week is the most dangerous week they'll have on the job. New workers are far more likely to get hurt than experienced ones, and it usually happens in the first days, when they're learning the equipment, the layout, and the culture all at once. Most onboarding covers the handbook and the paperwork, but here are 3 things it usually skips. What to do in an emergency. Before day 1 gets busy, where are the exits, the alarms, the shutoffs? Don't assume they'll figure it out. How to speak up. New people copy what they see, even the unsafe shortcuts. Tell them plainly, here's how you report a hazard, and no, you won't get in trouble for it. Who's got their back? Pair them with a buddy or mentor for week 1, so there's always someone for them to ask before they start guessing. Get all of this in one place. Download our free New Hire Safety Onboarding Checklist linked in the bio.