New employee safety training protects propane and butane businesses

In a growing industry, hiring new employees is a routine practice. Those new workers are vital to your company’s future, but they also present a significant safety risk. How significant? According to OSHA, 40 percent of employees injured at work have been on the job for less than one year. In fact, newly hired employees are five times more likely to be injured on the job than experienced workers. With new hires coming into the Texas propane and butane industries at a record pace, employers face a serious challenge. How do you staff your operation with the employees you need without putting your business at risk?

The solution is proper orientation, regular training and a disciplined safety program designed to meet the unique needs of your company. Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s largest workers’ comp provider, has an extensive array of safety programs and resources for propane and butane businesses. We help companies of every size prevent accidents so that they can protect their people, lower their costs and keep their businesses growing.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when bringing new employees on the job.

Safety Orientation

According to OSHA, 1 out of every 8 workplace injuries occurs on the very first day of the job. That’s why it’s important to conduct a safety orientation before your employees start their duties. The orientation should include a thorough explanation of:

• Hazards of working with propane and butane
• Company safety rules and procedures
• Proper use of tools, equipment and safety gear
• Emergency response procedures
• OSHA requirements and needed certifications for the propane and butane industries

Safety Program

Orientation is just the beginning. To protect your business, you need to reiterate your commitment to safety with regular training sessions and inspections to make sure new employees understand how to perform job tasks and are following proper procedures. Remember, new workers will take their cues from more experienced employees, so it’s important to lead by example and demonstrate your company’s safety culture. An effective strategy is to assign experienced workers as mentors to new employees to provide instruction and answer questions on the correct way to identify hazards and do the job safely.

Safety Plan

Teaching your new employees how to work safe not only protects them, it helps you build a stronger future for your business. Most workplace accidents are preventable, and as an employer, you have more control than you probably realize. Start by paying attention to the basics. Make sure your workers have the proper protective equipment and safety gear for their job. Provide new workers with a printed list of all safety rules, procedures and enforcement policies. Post signage in hazardous areas to alert your employees of potential dangers. And finally, encourage new workers to report safety problems or hazards so that they can be corrected before an accident occurs.

In an environment where new employees will be handling hazardous materials, a detailed safety plan is essential. Texas Mutual has a team of safety experts who know your industry and can help you identify hazards and create a custom plan for your business. Our Lone Star Energy Safety Group is exclusively for propane and butane dealers and operators, providing members with premium discounts and the chance to earn double dividends every year. To learn more about how Texas Mutual can help you train new workers and protect your business, visit TexasMutual.com.