# Watching out for new workers

URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/toolbox-talks/new-worker-orientation
Last updated: 2026-10-23

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.

## Key points

1. Introduce yourself to anyone new and tell them who to go to with questions. Make it clear that asking is expected, not a weakness.
2. Walk 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.
3. Don'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.
4. Pair 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.
5. Check 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.
6. Explain 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.
7. If 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.

## Official sources

- [29 CFR 1926.21](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.21) — Safety training and education

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Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.