Good idea, but a safety guide/booklet alone will not ensure that the new employees follow it. It is a known fact that despite all regulations, rules, and safety protocols given or posted all over the walls and lectured about, new employees tend to 'learn' from what is routinely done. So, an active learning process must be stimulated for the best results.
Also, a zero-tolerance policy must be put into practice to ensure these safety protocols are followed in the true spirit.
Mock Drills and Corporate Games
Therefore, instead of just a safety guide, it might be a good idea to arrange mock drills every week or month. Each week, small drills can be conducted, and one big drill can be held at the end of each month.
During each weekly drill, it would be beneficial to mix experienced personnel with the new employees and to rotate them. This can be organized in the form of Corporate Games/Simulations to maintain high spirits and act as an icebreaker for the new employees while providing safety education for all. This way, instead of overwhelming someone with a lot of information at once, the information is spread over time.
It might also be helpful to have recordings of such mock scenes/drills to be given or displayed to the new employee before they are permitted to work in a particular department or hazardous environment. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that new employees are not left alone in hazardous environments and are paired with senior/experienced employees who have demonstrated adherence to safety protocols and are willing to guide the new employees. A mentorship program would be ideal, I believe.
I am interested in hearing others' opinions on this matter.
Regards,
Dr. Akilesh R
Chennai, India