Hire Safe Workers
09 November, 2007
Does your new-hire interview process include questions on safety performance?
If you have some basic safety and health competencies in mind during the hiring process, you can feel confident that new employees have experience in working safely. SafetyClicks, a U.S. newsletter published by J.J. Keller Associates (www.jjkeller.com) recently suggested these guidelines to ensure a safer workplace:
Safety is part of any job.
Ask applicants about how much experience they have with applicable safety concerns such as:
>Participation in a safety committee;
>First aid;
>Evacuation procedures;
>Emergency response procedures;
>Operation and inspection of equipment, tools, and materials;
>Use, inspection, and maintenance of machine guards;
>Lockout/tagout procedures;
>Permit-required confined space entry procedures;
>Safe manual lifting and materials handling practices;
>Material safety data sheets;
>Hazardous chemical labeling systems;
>Use of personal protective equipment and clothing; and
>Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
When safety begins with the interview, you'll have a good idea of how your new employee will be able to:
Follow established safety and health rules,
Ensure that equipment is being used safely, and
Identify unsafe conditions and take corrective actions.