Toolbox talk · People and work practices
Watching out for new workers
New workers get hurt more often in their first weeks on a job. They don't know our site, our equipment, or our habits yet, and many won't ask questions because they don't want to look slow. This week, every one of us is responsible for helping new people get home safe.
Published 2026-10-23
Key points
- 1Introduce yourself to anyone new and tell them who to go to with questions. Make it clear that asking is expected, not a weakness.
- 2Walk new workers around the site on day one. Show them the exits, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, where to meet in an emergency, and the areas that are off limits.
- 3Don't assume someone knows how to use a tool or machine just because they say so. Watch them use it first and correct them right there if something is off.
- 4Pair each new worker with an experienced crew member for the first days. The new person should not work alone or in a high-hazard area until the foreman says they're ready.
- 5Check that new workers have the right PPE, that it fits, and that they know how to wear it. A loose harness or the wrong gloves won't protect anyone.
- 6Explain the hazards of today's task before the work starts, in a language they understand. If there's a language barrier, get someone to translate.
- 7If you see a new worker doing something unsafe, stop them calmly and show them the right way. Don't yell, and don't just walk past.
Talk it over
- What do you wish someone had told you on your first day on a construction job?
- What hazards on this site would be easy for a new person to miss?
- How can we make it easier for new workers to speak up when they're not sure about something?
Remember
Everyone was new once. Show them, watch them, and have their back.
Also in the other language: Cuidar a los trabajadores nuevos
Official sources
Print it with a sign-in sheet
Pro prints every talk on your letterhead with an attendance sheet, records who attended, and emails your foremen this week's talk every Monday.
General information, not legal advice. Templates and examples should be reviewed by a competent person before use. HardHat Binder is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.