The risk of workplace injury is much higher for new employees in their first month than those who have been with their employer for over a year.

Research shows that ‘newness’ is one of the biggest risk factors in the workplace – more so than age or job role. Why? Because new workers often don’t fully understand the hazards, feel unsure about the tasks they’re doing, and may not feel confident enough to speak up or ask questions.

And yet, in many organisations, HSE inductions are still treated as a tick-box exercise – outdated, off-the-shelf modules that don’t reflect the realities of the job or unique risks of the site.

At BB&A, we believe that a HSE induction should do more than just satisfy compliance – it should make people think, engage, and take ownership of their safety from day one.

Here’s why your HSE induction might be falling short:

• It’s too long, too generic, or simply boring.
• It doesn’t reflect the actual work people are doing.
• It relies too heavily on a facilitator to make it meaningful.
• It doesn’t account for how different people learn best.

Let’s face it – contractors and frontline teams often read induction content dozens, if not hundreds of times. If your induction doesn’t stand out or speak their language, they’re not going to engage with it – and the message won’t stick.

So, how do you get it right?

Make it:

• Relevant: Tailor it to the site, role and the hazards people actually face.
• Engaging: Include interaction, storytelling, and real-life examples.
• Accessible: Design it with different learning styles in mind – especially for hands-on, non-office-based workers.
• Robust: Ensure it delivers impact without relying on a great facilitator to bring it to life.

An effective induction doesn’t just teach ‘rules’ – it sets the tone for your entire safety culture.

Is your HSE induction up to the job?

Get in touch to hear how you can make your HSE inductions more engaging, inclusive and effective – and ultimately, reduce the risk of harm from day one.

Let’s stop ticking boxes and start changing culture.