6-4. A Serious Accident Involving a New Worker Caused by Insufficient Safety Training

A large number of serious workplace accidents are caused by a lack of safety education. New workers, in particular, lack experience and may not fully recognize risks, so insufficient training can lead directly to serious accidents. This article discusses the importance of safety education and key points for recurrence prevention, based on accident examples involving new workers.

1. Characteristics of Accidents Common Among New Workers

New workers often don't fully understand work procedures and tend to take unconscious risks. For example, accidents where workers are caught in machinery or suffer health problems from exposure to hazardous substances can occur when they don't wear protective equipment correctly. Because they are not aware of dangerous spots in the workplace, new workers are also more susceptible to typical accidents like falls and electrocution.

2. Real-World Examples Caused by a Lack of Education

In one factory, a new worker was seriously injured after getting caught in a machine while feeding in raw materials because he didn't understand the stop procedure. This was caused by the company's brief and perfunctory safety education program for new hires. In another case on a construction site, a new worker who wasn't adequately trained on the importance of wearing a helmet suffered a life-threatening injury from falling debris while working at heights.

3. Reasons for Insufficient Safety Education

One reason for a lack of safety education is that companies, facing labor shortages, prioritize placing new hires on-site immediately without adequate training. In many cases, safety education programs are superficial and only meet the bare minimum requirements for legal compliance. Additionally, if the supervisors or senior colleagues in charge of training lack safety knowledge or teaching skills, effective education may not be provided.

4. Initiatives for Recurrence Prevention

Safety education for new workers should not end with initial training but should be supplemented with regular follow-up training and on-the-job training (OJT). The content should not only cover basic knowledge based on the Industrial Safety and Health Act but also explain specific risks related to actual work. Hands-on training using VR or simulations is an effective way to help new hires intuitively understand dangers. It is also advisable to assign experienced instructors to new workers and provide a one-on-one support system when they are first deployed to a worksite.

5. Management's Responsibility and Fostering a Safety Culture

To prevent serious accidents, it is crucial for management to recognize the importance of safety education and allocate sufficient budget and time. By sharing a "safety first" culture throughout the workplace, new workers can feel secure, learn, and heighten their awareness of risks.

In conclusion, the most important point in preventing serious accidents involving new workers is to thoroughly address the lack of education. Through systematic and continuous safety education and the cultivation of a safety culture, companies can prevent workplace accidents and achieve sustainable growth.