Safety in the Work Place

When starting a new job, it is important to ask questions about safety or health concerns so that work can be completed efficiently and safely.

It is not good to leave questions unasked at work, because if you are unsure on how to safely complete a task, this creates risks for yourself and your coworkers should something go wrong.

Reasons workers don't ask questions...

• Nervousness: new workers are afraid of being embarrassed in front of new colleagues or their boss
• They are afraid of asking a stupid question: to some people, certain safety procedures seem obvious, but to others, safety precautions may be confusing, so they want to ask for clarification but do not want to seem stupid

Reasons workers don't ask questions...

• To avoid irritation: new employees do not want to annoy colleagues by bombarding them with questions, so they refrain from asking anything
• They do not know how to ask: they may be unclear about who to go to or how to phrase what they don't understand, and to avoid awkward mistakes such as asking the wrong person, they do not ask at all

Remember!
Even if you are nervous, or do not want to set a bad impression to your boss or coworkers, ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS when it comes to your health and safety.

10 things to ask Before starting a new job

• Ask about any dangers of the job
• Are their any other potential hazards such as radiation or dangerous chemicals?
• Know if you will be receiving job safety training and if so, when.
• Know how to use any safety equipment provided to you.
• Ask if there will be any safety meetings.

10 things to ask Before starting a new job

• Ask if you will be trained in the safety procedures for fires, earthquakes, etc.
• Where is the emergency equipment located (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc)?
• Know what to do if you get hurt, who should you go to?
• Know your own safety responsibilities.
• Who to ask if you have a health question.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
You should always feel comfortable asking questions about your health or safety in the workplace. If you get ill or injured on the job, this is not only an issue for you, but for your boss or supervisor; they have to fill paperwork as to why you got injured at work. Therefore, your safety at work is not only your concern, but it is theirs too, so asking questions benefits them as much as it does you, because it prevents accidents from occurring in the future.