Have you ever worked with someone who changed the way you approached your job or how you work?A hard-working person can have a powerful influence on his or her teammates, 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 of policies and safety procedures could save him or her the pain and lost time caused by a serious injury or loss of employment.
In reality, all employees are safety mentors. Morale and standards run through an organization and workers influence eachother with how they approach safety rules and workplace regulations.
You know that potential hazards are all around your workplace. For example, a piece of machinery may work a little slow to start- then speed up. Another example is how your company stores tools or other equipment. A safety mentor should stress the importance of doing your job the safe way, and give a wealth of knowledge about the risks of the job. Don't just show someone how to do something- teach them how to do it right. When you are working around others, especially if they are new to a workplace, it is your turn to share that knowledge to protect them, other co-workers, and yourself.
You are aware that injuries are a reality in the workplace. Take care to be sure that your new co-workers are aware of the dangers too- doing so will keep everyone at your workplace safe.
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 may need a lot of safety instruction. Managers will attempt to train them in workplace safety as thoroughly as possible, but employees will naturally look to you for advice and information on a day-to-day basis. This responsibility is extremely important to aknowledge- as their early impressions of the way you value safety will set the stage for their future work habits- possibly over their entire career.
In this important transition time, a mentor's actions will speak louder than a manager's words.
If you operate a power tool carelessly or leave clutter in a common area, you are demonstrating to a new employee that safety is not important. If you do not follow safety rules, you are ultimately putting new employees that are learning from you (and imitating you) in danger.
On the other hand, some new employees may come to from a company that emphasized safety like yours does... 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. It will also give them peace of mind that their new employer cares about their employees.
Think again of that person that had 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 and give them a good start.