The first weeks on a job are the most dangerous — here's how to protect them
New workers — and young workers especially — are at higher risk of injury, particularly in their first weeks on a job. They don't yet know the hazards, the shortcuts that bite, or that it's okay to speak up. Protect them with a real induction, training matched to the work, close early supervision, and by checking understanding rather than assuming it.
It's not carelessness — it's that everything is unfamiliar, and they often don't yet know what they don't know.
A new worker hasn't learned the site's hazards, the right way to do a task, or which corners are dangerous to cut. Young workers carry the added factors of limited work experience and a reluctance to question instructions or admit they're unsure. WorkSafe is clear that young people are often unfamiliar with workplace hazards and safety procedures — and with their own rights. The result is that the early period in any job, especially for a young person, is when injury is most likely.
The HSWA duty to provide information, training, instruction and supervision applies to everyone, but new and young workers need more of it, up front.
Under the primary duty of care you must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of your workers — which includes giving them the information, training, instruction and supervision they need to be safe. For a new or young worker, that means front-loading the support: a proper induction before they start real work, training matched to the actual tasks, and closer supervision until they've genuinely got it.
A handful of practical steps make the biggest difference in those crucial first weeks.
| Step | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Induct properly | Walk them through the real hazards, site rules, PPE and emergency procedures before they start the work. |
| Train for the task | Match training to the actual jobs they'll do — not a generic slideshow. |
| Supervise closely | Have an experienced worker keep an eye on them, and ease off only as competency grows. |
| Check understanding | Confirm what they've actually understood — don't rely on a nod or their own assessment. |
| Make it safe to ask | Actively encourage questions and reporting, so they speak up instead of guessing. |
Young workers need the same support a little more deliberately — and some work has age restrictions.
Pair them with a trusted, experienced person, give clear and specific instructions rather than assuming general knowledge, and create a culture where asking for help is normal, not a weakness. Be aware too that there are restrictions on the work young people — particularly those under 15 — can legally do, including around certain hazardous areas and machinery. Check the current rules before putting a young worker on higher-risk tasks.
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Because they don't yet know the workplace's hazards, the safe way to do tasks, or which shortcuts are dangerous — and young workers may be reluctant to question instructions or admit uncertainty. Injury is most likely in the early weeks of a new job, especially for young people.
The HSWA primary duty of care requires you to ensure their health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, including providing the information, training, instruction and supervision they need. For new and young workers, that means more support up front: a proper induction, task-specific training and closer early supervision.
Closer supervision at first, easing off only as they demonstrate genuine competency. Have an experienced worker keep an eye on them, and check what they've actually understood rather than relying on their own assessment of their ability.
Yes. There are restrictions on the work young people, particularly those under 15, can legally do, including around certain hazardous areas and machinery. Check the current rules before putting a young worker on higher-risk tasks.
Front-load the support and build a culture where it's safe to ask. A proper induction before real work starts, task-specific training, close early supervision, and genuinely encouraging questions and reporting protect new and young workers when they're most vulnerable.
