Each year workplace injuries cost American companies around $62 billion. Besides the immediate cost, they can also lower productivity, hurt morale and diminish your brand equity. That’s why safety should be a top priority, especially when making hiring decisions. Here are some specific questions you can ask job candidates to evaluate their safety record.
What type of safety training have you gone through in the past?
The more formal safety training a person has undergone, the better. Ideally, a candidate will have extensive experience and understand what it takes to keep themselves and their fellow workers safe while on the job. Check to see if they have any certifications to back up their claims.
What were some safety hazards you encountered at your previous jobs?
Whether it’s dealing with potentially dangerous machines, slips and falls, or chemicals, everyone will have dealt with some sort of safety hazards in the past. Asking a candidate this question will provide you with insight into what types of issues they’ve encountered and what their experience level is like addressing safety concerns.
What steps did you take to overcome those hazards and maximize safety?
This piggybacks on the previous question and will let you know how serious a candidate is about safety. Were they extremely proactive? What were some specific actions they took to ensure they and their co-workers went home safe at the end of the day?
What types of protective gear are you accustomed to wearing?
Whether it’s a hard hat, safety goggles, safety gloves or slip resistant footwear, there are numerous types of protective gear that can be worn on the job in a light industrial position. Learning about what a candidate is accustomed to wearing should tell you even more about what their experience is like.
Do you think it’s possible to achieve zero accidents in a workplace?
It’s debatable as to whether achieving zero accidents is possible; however, that’s not the point of this question. The point is to determine how committed a candidate is to safety and what they’re willing to do in order to make your workplace as close to accident free as possible.
One of the most important things to pay attention to when making a hiring decision is a person’s safety record. The questions listed here are a straightforward way to learn more about a their experience and how seriously they will take safety if hired.
Are you struggling with your recruiting? Get in touch with Encadria Staffing Solutions to see how we can help.