Your First Week Safety Guide

Educational workplace-safety awareness — connected to industries, occupations, employment law, employment documents and company types. Informational only — not legal advice and not a substitute for mandatory workplace safety training; employers remain responsible for compliance, training and worker authorization.

Who this guide is for

This guide is for anyone in their first days or week at a new workplace, in any kind of role. It offers general awareness of the safety topics you may meet as you settle in.

It does not replace your employer’s induction, instruction or training, which always come first and remain their responsibility. Use your first week to learn your own workplace’s rules, ask your supervisor about anything unclear, and follow the official authority that applies where you work.

What to expect

• A safety induction covering the building, exits, alarms and assembly points.
• An introduction to your supervisor, team and a point of contact for questions.
• Instruction on the tasks you will do and any equipment you will use.
• Information on PPE, where it is kept and when it is required.
• Guidance on how to report concerns, incidents and near misses.

Key things to do and know

• Attend your induction fully and ask about anything you do not understand.
• Learn your exits, alarm and assembly point in your first days.
• Only do tasks and use equipment you have been shown and authorised to use.
• Find out who to ask for help and how to report a problem.
• Note where first aid, PPE and safety information are kept.

Settling in safely in general terms

• Take your time learning a task properly rather than rushing to look quick.
• Wear the PPE your task and the risk assessment require.
• Keep your work area tidy to reduce slips, trips and falls.
• Speak up early if something feels unclear or unsafe.
• Build the habit of checking before acting when you are unsure.

If something feels unsafe

• Stop if continuing could put you or others at risk.
• Tell your supervisor or manager about the concern straight away.
• Report incidents and near misses through your employer’s reporting process.
• Do not use equipment that looks faulty — report it instead.
• Ask for help rather than guessing your way through a task you are unsure about.