HAMILTON, ON (March 25, 2009) –The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a new e-course, Orientation on Health and Safety for New Workers, that provides a general introduction to workplace health and safety to new workers.
According to SAFE Work Manitoba, new workers have 5 to 7 times the risk of injury in the first 4 weeks of a new job.
New employees need to know about their health and safety responsibilities, legislation, job related hazards, and how to work safety. CCOHS has developed Orientation on Health and Safety for New Workers, to help equip new workers with the information and guidance they need.
“Creating a health and safety orientation program will help employers and their employees understand and take action in building and maintaining a safer workplace, taking the special needs of new workers into consideration,” said Dr. P.K. Abeytunga, CCOHS Vice President and Director General.
The course provides participants with information about their workplace rights under health and safety legislation, the role of health and safety programs in workplaces, and how to identify job-related hazards in order to work safely. The topics covered in the course include recognizing workplace hazards, occupational health and safety law, general approaches to working safely, working safely – specific hazards, preparing for emergencies, occupational health and safety programs and who to ask for help.
All e-courses by CCOHS are available in English and French. They are developed by experts in the field and reviewed by labour, employer and government representatives. Those who score at least 80% on the final exam earn a certificate of completion. Case studies, quizzes, and an "ask a question" option are also featured.
More information about the courses, pricing and how to register is available on the CCOHS website.