February 15, 2006

Orientation session essential for everyone

Regardless of their previous training, safety experts advise that “All workers, regardless of their experience should be given an orientation at every worksite.”

Scott Laing, Field Consultant, Training & Advisory, with the Construction Safety Association of Ontario (CSAO), says: “Experience isn’t the same thing as knowledge and each worksite is unique.”

He says that an orientation should be site-specific, not generalized and should cover such elements as:

• company specific information

• expectations of employment

• the responsibilities of direct-hire employees as well as subcontractors

• the requirements of any Acts or regulations pertaining to the work at hand

• any rules specific to that site or employer

• penalties for non-compliance

• accident and incident reporting procedures

• discipline and enforcement procedures

• a first aid review

• PPE requirements, and

• emergency response requirements.

“When there appears to be a lack of knowledge in some area, you have to deal with it,” says Laing.

“Either provide the necessary training, or ensure that the training is provided before that person begins work on the site. And get all of the people who attended an orientation or training session to sign off on it. If there’s a problem further down the line, you’ll want to be able to prove that you provided that training session.”

Laing spoke at the CSAO’s 4th Annual Construction Health and Safety Conference in Toronto.

— PETER KENTER

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