Understanding Your Role in Workplace Safety: A Practical Safety Orientation Training

Since you are new to this workplace, you might be wondering what role you play in workplace safety in general. It is your responsibility to carry out your work in accordance with recognized safe practices. Although it is up to your employer to ensure you are aware of your responsibilities, provide you access to relevant information and provide protection from recognized hazards, it is crucial that you are able to identify and at the least report on unsafe work conditions and practices. Your work environment should also allow for this without fear of retaliation. In some cases, employees are able to work from home or from an alternative location some or all of the time. Others use an employer provided vehicle that is parked at home. It is important to know your employer's policies and guidelines on what constitutes a work related injury, as this may depend on your unique circumstances. If you are or plan to become a supervisor, you should remember that although your immediate liability is to recognize and mitigate risks to death or serious physical harm, the workplace is a complex environment where external and internal factors may make some hazards more difficult to recognize and control. It is crucial for you to investigate risks and safe practices relevant to your industry. The lives and well beings of yourself and others depends on it.