Protecting new and seasonal workers from injury

Every workplace has unique hazards, procedures, and expectations. New and seasonal employees are often learning all of these at the same time while trying to prove themselves and become productive quickly. As a result, they may not yet recognize workplace hazards, understand emergency procedures, or know how to respond when something unexpected occurs.

Even experienced workers can face increased risk when entering a new work environment, so the risk to new and seasonal employees is even greater and injuries are more likely in the first few weeks on the job. This is why a robust onboarding program and a positive safety culture are so important. Safety risks and the potential for injuries can be minimized through effective training, clear communication, and a demonstrated organizational commitment to safety.

Common causes of injuries among new workers

Several factors contribute to the elevated injury rates seen among new and seasonal employees, including:

• Lack of familiarity with workplace hazards: New workers often have limited awareness of the hazards around them, unsafe conditions, or warning signs that more experienced employees have learned to identify. For example, new hires may not recognize pinch points, struck-by hazards, slip and trip risks, hazardous energy sources, or vehicle traffic patterns.
• Incomplete understanding of procedures: In addition to the tasks associated with their jobs, new employees need to understand emergency procedures, evacuation routes, severe weather response plans, injury reporting requirements, and other workplace procedures. Workers who are unsure of these procedures may hesitate or make poor decisions that could lead to an injury.
• Inexperience with equipment and tools: In many instances, operating equipment safely requires more than a brief demonstration. New workers may not fully understand equipment limitations, warning signs, maintenance requirements, or emergency shutdown procedures. Assuming a new hire can competently operate equipment without verification can create significant risks for all employees.
• Pressure to get up to speed: Companies often hire seasonal employees during the busiest times of the year, and new workers may feel pressure to keep pace with experienced employees before they fully understand the job. New employees want to make a good impression, so this pressure can encourage shortcuts, risk-taking, unsafe behaviors, and deviations from established safety procedures.
• Reluctance to ask questions: New employees may hesitate to speak up and ask questions because they do not want to appear inexperienced or disappoint their supervisor. This reluctance will result in guessing rather than asking for clarification, which can create hazardous situations.

Impactful onboarding

The first step in helping reduce injuries among new and seasonal workers is an effective onboarding program.

The first day at a new job can often be a bit overwhelming and employers should be conscious of information overload. Important policies and job tasks must be covered, but employees need time to absorb information. Proper pacing of onboarding activities plays an important role in employees retaining the information provided.

Successful onboarding programs typically include:

• Site-specific hazard training: Do not rely solely on generic training. Such training can be useful, but training should include some elements that are specific to the employees’ workplace and the hazards to which they will be exposed. Employees must understand how safety requirements apply to their actual work environment and tasks.
• Emergency response procedures: All employees must be able to recognize alarms and how to respond to emergency situations.
• Injury and near-miss reporting expectations: Employees must be encouraged to report injuries and near misses. The employer must emphasize that this information is vital to assessing hazards and taking actions to make the workplace safer, and that it is not used to assign blame.
• Hands-on demonstrations and practice: Attendance at a training session does not guarantee competency. Employers should use demonstrations, observations, skill assessments, and practical exercises to confirm employees can perform tasks safely.
• Clear explanations of safety rules and work procedures: Employers should have standard operating procedures for various tasks and new employees must have access to these procedures to ensure they are performing tasks properly and safely. In addition, clear explanations of safety rules help employees to understand why things may be done a certain way, which can lead to higher rates of compliance.
• Scheduled follow-up training and reinforcement: Follow-up training helps employees retain information and allows the employer to address knowledge or safety gaps that have been observed on the job.

The role of safety culture

Effective onboarding is only part of the solution. As new employees move through and complete the onboarding process, they will be exposed to the safety culture of the organization. The attitudes and behaviors of management and experienced employees reinforce the lessons learned during onboarding and demonstrate that the organization genuinely values safety.

Leadership, supervisors, and experienced employees all contribute to creating an environment where learning and communication are encouraged. Employees should feel comfortable reporting hazards, asking questions, stopping work when uncertain, and reporting injuries or near misses without fear of criticism or retaliation. When workers know that safety concerns are welcomed and addressed, they are far more likely to proactively seek guidance.

Supervisors play a critical role in promoting the safety culture that will help protect new and seasonal employees. The responsibilities of a supervisor extend beyond assigning work and monitoring productivity. They should maintain frequent contact with new employees, observe work practices closely, and encourage questions. Regular check-ins help identify misunderstandings before they result in incidents.

Key takeaways for employers

The first few weeks on the job are often the most critical from a safety perspective. New and seasonal employees face elevated risks due to unfamiliarity with hazards, incomplete understanding of procedures, pressure to perform, and limited experience with equipment and workplace expectations.

Employers can significantly reduce these risks through effective onboarding, site-specific training, hands-on practice, competency verification, and active supervisory involvement. Most importantly, organizations must foster a positive safety culture where employees feel comfortable asking questions and speaking up about concerns.

When employers invest in helping new and seasonal workers succeed safely, they protect their workforce, strengthen safety performance, and build a culture that benefits everyone.

Frequently asked questions

Why are new and seasonal workers at higher risk for workplace injuries?
New and seasonal workers are at elevated injury risk because they often lack familiarity with workplace hazards, have an incomplete understanding of emergency procedures, are inexperienced with equipment and tools, feel pressure to keep pace with experienced workers, and may be reluctant to ask questions. Injuries are most likely in the first few weeks on the job.

What should an effective onboarding program for new workers include?
An effective onboarding program should include site-specific hazard training, emergency response procedures, injury and near-miss reporting expectations, hands-on demonstrations and practice, clear explanations of safety rules and work procedures, and scheduled follow-up training and reinforcement.

What role does safety culture play in protecting new workers?
Safety culture reinforces onboarding lessons through the attitudes and behaviors of management and experienced employees. A positive safety culture encourages workers to report hazards, ask questions, stop work when uncertain, and report injuries without fear of criticism or retaliation. Supervisors play a critical role by maintaining frequent contact with new employees, observing work practices, and encouraging questions.

How can employers reduce injury rates among new and seasonal employees?
Employers can reduce injury rates through effective onboarding, site-specific training, hands-on practice, competency verification, active supervisory involvement, and fostering a positive safety culture where employees feel comfortable asking questions and reporting concerns.