The Definition of Orientation (Safety Orientation)

Definition of Orientation (Safety Orientation)

A safety orientation is the training a new employee, transferred worker, contractor or visitor receives before starting work at a site. It introduces the hazards they may encounter, the rules and procedures they must follow, required PPE, emergency procedures, and how to report injuries, near misses and hazards. A good orientation sets expectations from day one and is followed by task-specific training before workers do hazardous jobs.

Key Facts About Safety Orientations

• New workers, especially in their first months on a job, face a higher risk of injury than experienced workers.
• Many OSHA standards require training before a worker is assigned to a task, such as hazard communication, lockout/tagout and respiratory protection.
• Contractors and temporary workers need site-specific orientation even if they are experienced in their trade.
• Orientations should be documented with the date, topics, trainer and attendee signatures.

Example of a Safety Orientation

On their first morning, new hires at a distribution center tour the facility with a supervisor, learn the pedestrian walkways and forklift rules, practice the evacuation route to the muster point, receive PPE, and are paired with a mentor for their first two weeks.

What to Cover in a Safety Orientation

• Company safety policy, stop work authority and worker rights
• Site-specific hazards and restricted areas
• Required PPE and how to use and care for it
• Emergency procedures, alarms, exits and muster points
• Incident, injury and near miss reporting
• Hazard communication and where to find safety data sheets
• Who to contact with questions or concerns

Related Terms

• OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Training
• Temporary Worker Safety
• Contractor Safety
• Training Matrix

Schedule and track orientations with SafetyIQ's training management software.

Frequently Asked Questions: Safety Orientation

Is a safety orientation required by OSHA?

OSHA doesn't have one general orientation rule, but many standards require training before assignment, and a safety orientation is the usual way employers begin meeting those requirements.

How long should a safety orientation be?

It depends on the site's hazards. Visitor orientations may take minutes, while orientations for high-hazard sites can take a full day or more, followed by on-the-job training.

Do experienced workers need an orientation?

Yes. Even experienced workers need to learn site-specific hazards, rules, emergency procedures and reporting expectations.