TAKEAWAY: This article explores seven practical strategies to improve workplace safety communication. From regular training sessions to utilizing various communication channels, these approaches will enhance the effectiveness of safety messages and ensure they reach and resonate with every employee.



By Jennifer Crump

Effective communication is a cornerstone of workplace safety. Clear and consistent communication ensures employees understand safety standards, procedures, and potential hazards, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. 

By fostering a culture of open dialogue and providing comprehensive information, organizations can empower their workforce to actively participate in maintaining a safe and secure work environment. 

1. Hold Regular Safety Training Sessions

Regular safety training sessions are valuable for discussing and reinforcing safety standards and emergency procedures. Organizations can instill a safety-conscious mindset among employees by dedicating time to address safety-related topics. 

During these sessions, delivering clear and easily understandable safety messages is crucial. Craft your messages thoughtfully, utilizing real-life examples such as case studies and incident reports to make the information relatable and relevant. Keep the sessions concise and incorporate them into regular team meetings to maximize engagement and retention. 

Safety training sessions should reinforce incident reporting protocols, emphasizing what, when, and how to report any safety-related incidents or concerns.

2. Place Slogans, Visuals, and Safety Warnings in Prominent Places 

Visual cues and safety reminders play a vital role in reinforcing safety messages. Ensure you place slogans, visuals, and safety warnings in prominent areas where employees will likely notice them. 

Examples include the back of toilet doors or next to the coffee maker, where workers are likely to pause and read or look at information. These strategically placed displays will serve as constant reminders of the importance of safety in the workplace. 

Critical safety information should be positioned in areas directly relevant to specific hazards to provide immediate reminders to employees. For example, place safety warnings next to high-risk equipment as a reminder before a worker uses it.

3. Use Different Types of Communication

Recognize that people have different learning preferences and communication styles. Utilizing various forms of communication ensures that safety messages reach all employees effectively. 

Some prefer reading information, while others respond better to visuals or hands-on experiences. Consider employing a multi-channel approach, combining written communication (e.g., emails or newsletters) with videos, presentations, posters, and interactive activities like emergency drills. 

Understand your employees’ preferred communication methods and adapt accordingly. Additionally, prioritize accessibility by providing information in employees’ preferred languages and formats.

4. Make Your Employees an Integral Part of the Process

Employee involvement and feedback are essential for fostering a safety-conscious culture. Actively seek their opinions on safety measures by conducting one-on-one meetings and holding focus groups. Use surveys and comment cards to gather valuable insights. 

Encourage open communication and emphasize the importance of reporting hazards, unsafe situations, near misses, and other safety concerns. By involving employees in the safety process, organizations empower them to take ownership of their well-being and the safety of their colleagues.

5. Ensure Communications Reach the Right People

Tailor safety communications to ensure relevance and engagement. Employees are more likely to pay attention when the information directly relates to their roles and responsibilities. 

Categorize employees into departments or specific job functions, and communicate information accordingly. This targeted approach prevents information overload and ensures that safety messages are received by those who need them most. By customizing communication, organizations can optimize the impact of safety messages and increase compliance.

6. Plan and Prepare for Excellent Communication

Effective communication requires careful planning and preparation. Anticipate when and how employee communication will occur. Develop pre-drafted emergency emails or templates for key situations to ensure critical information is distributed promptly and accurately. 

By having these resources readily available, organizations can avoid delays or omissions during high-stress situations, ensuring employees receive timely and relevant safety updates.

7. Utilize Digital Platforms and Technology for Enhanced Safety Communication

In today’s digital age, leveraging technology can significantly improve workplace safety communication. Incorporating digital platforms and tools can enhance safety messages’ effectiveness, reach, and engagement. Consider implementing the following strategies:

a) Safety Apps and Mobile Platforms

Develop or utilize mobile applications specifically designed for safety communication. These apps can access important safety documents, procedures, and training materials. They can also include features such as push notifications for important updates, incident reporting capabilities, and interactive quizzes or games to reinforce safety knowledge.

b) Digital Signage and Interactive Displays

Install digital signage screens in prominent areas throughout the workplace, displaying safety messages, reminders, and real-time incident statistics. Interactive displays can present safety quizzes, videos, or virtual simulations, allowing employees to engage with the content and reinforce their safety understanding actively.

c) Virtual Training and Webinars

Use virtual training platforms and webinars to deliver safety training sessions, especially for remote or geographically dispersed teams. These platforms enable interactive sessions, Q&A opportunities, and the ability to record and archive training sessions for future reference.

d) Online Safety Portals and Intranet

Establish an online safety portal or intranet where employees can access a centralized hub of safety resources, policies, and procedures. This platform can also facilitate communication through discussion boards, forums, or chat functionalities, enabling employees to ask questions, share best practices, and engage in safety-related conversations.

e) Data Analytics and Insights

Leverage data analytics tools to gather insights on safety communication effectiveness. Monitor metrics such as message reach, engagement, and comprehension rates to assess the impact of different communication strategies. Use these insights to refine and tailor safety communication approaches based on employee preferences and needs.

By embracing digital platforms and technology, organizations can create a dynamic and interactive safety communication ecosystem, ensuring that important information reaches employees effectively, enhances engagement, and promotes a culture of safety throughout the workforce.

How to Improve Workplace Safety Communication | In Conclusion

Enhancing workplace safety communication is crucial for fostering a culture of safety and preventing accidents and injuries. By implementing the six strategies outlined in this article, organizations can improve the effectiveness of their safety messages, engage employees at various levels, and create a safer work environment. 

Remember, open dialogue, relevant visuals, and tailored communication methods are essential for ensuring safe information resonates with everyone. By prioritizing communication and actively involving employees in the process, organizations demonstrate their commitment to workplace safety. They also empower their workforce to be proactive toward maintaining a secure and healthy workplace.
For further related reading, find out why safety training is important in the transportation industry. Plus, learn about safety training requirements in the forestry and agriculture, and construction industries.

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TAKEAWAY: In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of the safety training requirements in the mining industry and highlight some essential resources to help you meet your obligations.



By Jennifer Crump

Safety is paramount in the mining industry. Mining is one of the most dangerous job sectors where workers have a high risk of work-related injuries and fatalities. Mining industry employers must be familiar with the safety training requirements in their state or province to ensure safety on their work sites. 

Why is safety training vital for the mining industry?

The mining industry faces several unique safety-related challenges. Mining industry employers should have safety at the forefront of their organization for several reasons:

  1. Mining industry employees are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss

Mining is a high-risk sector for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Mine industry employees are exposed to loud noises from various sources and processes. Employers can take steps to reduce noise to safe levels, such as investing in noise-reducing equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE), such as custom-moulded ear plugs

Employees should receive training related to NIHL to understand the risks of hazardous noise levels, how to reduce noise exposure, and how to properly use noise-related PPE.

Hearing test showing ear of young woman with sound waves simulation technology

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SureHire’s audiometric testing services allow you to detect NIHL before it becomes a problem, providing you with the information you need for investigation and intervention so you can protect your workforce.

  1. Mine workers are exposed to dangerous substances

Mine workers are often exposed to substances like coal dust, which may damage their health. Coal dust can cause several severe respiratory conditions that employers must be aware of. 

Employers can design safety training programs to educate employees on reducing their exposure to harmful substances.

  1. Mines may be in remote locations

Miners often work in remote areas, far from medical care. Therefore, employers must take steps to improve workplace health and safety. Should health and safety issues arise on the job site, employees should be well-versed in dealing with emergencies to help keep themselves and their coworkers safe. 

  1. Safety training minimizes the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries

Several mining activities are associated with a high risk of musculoskeletal injuries. These include handling supplies or materials, getting on or off equipment or machines, machine maintenance and repair, and using hand tools. 

Safety training is crucial for minimizing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries from such activities. For example, training in lifting techniques and how and when to distribute loads can reduce the incidence of back injuries, the most common injury site in miners.

Furthermore, workers must be trained to use equipment and tools safely. Employers can invest in state-of-the-art equipment, but it’s only worthwhile if workers know how to use it safely and effectively.

  1. Miners may be at high risk of opioid dependence

Mine industry workers may be at a high risk of injuries requiring an opioid prescription. Such prescriptions can lead to drug dependence or overdose. 

Impairment training should be a part of any workplace alcohol and drug policy. It can help increase awareness and prevent dependence and overdose issues.

  1. Safety training reduces accident and fatality rates

Although mining is notoriously known as a dangerous industry, safety training helps reduce the incidence of workplace accidents through education and awareness. In turn, accident-related injury and fatality statistics also decline.

Safety training requirements in the mining industry

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is a branch of the US Department of Labor that oversees safety training requirements in the mining industry. Federal law specifies that miners must receive basic and annual refresher training. They also state that all mine operators must maintain an effective training plan.

The Federal code 30 CFR Part 48 covers all underground mining, plus surface mining of coal and some metals. Training plans and trainers must be MSHA-approved. Part 46 covers the aggregate industry, including granite, sand, gravel, lime, and cement operations. For Part 46, training plans and trainers do not require MSHA approval but must meet the rule’s requirements.

Federal involvement in mining is limited in Canada, and provincial governments are responsible for regulating mining within their jurisdiction. 

The Mining Association of Canada is the voice of the Canadian mining industry. They offer several resources for mining employers and facilitate the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program to support mining companies in environmental and social risk management.

Essential resources for mining industry employers

Mining industry employers can explore the resources available to them when building a safer, healthier workplace and workforce. Examples include the following:

How mining industry employers can protect their employees

Mining industry employers can use the resources above to develop robust safety training plans. Employers can also invest in several safety-related occupational testing services relevant to mine workers to help protect their employees. Examples are as follows:

Hearing test showing ear of young woman with sound waves simulation technology

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SureHire’s audiometric testing services allow you to detect NIHL before it becomes a problem, providing you with the information you need for investigation and intervention so you can protect your workforce.

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TAKEAWAY: While a criminal record will not necessarily preclude hiring a potential candidate, it does help provide employers with a more comprehensive picture of the person they are hiring. It can help reduce liability, keep employees and the public safe and ensure you are hiring the right person for the job. 



By Jennifer Crump

According to the Canadian Department of Public Safety, approximately 3.8 million Canadians have a criminal record. That’s approximately 1 in 9 Canadians. In the United States, it’s 1 in 3, as between 70 million and 100 million Americans have some sort of criminal record. In this series, we delve into frequently asked questions about criminal record checks. Happy reading!

What is a criminal record check?

A criminal record check will produce a record of criminal offences, including charges and convictions pulled from official government databases. Sometimes known as a police records check, these checks provide a detailed history of an individual’s interactions with police and the justice system. They will not, however, include juvenile justice records, pardons or records that have been legally expunged. 

Why is it essential for employers to conduct criminal record checks before hiring new employees?

A background check that includes a criminal record can help protect your company, employees, and the public from harm. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about your potential new hire. 

For example, you will need to know if the candidate has a criminal history that might impact their job performance. 

Hiring the wrong person is costly. Resources are wasted, and your team’s morale and productivity can suffer. The damage can be challenging to overcome if a bad hire harms your company’s reputation. And the costs of leveraging a public relations firm to fix it can also be incredibly costly. 

Finally, liability concerns often drive criminal background checks. Companies are liable in many cases for the actions of their employees. For example, you will not want to hire a delivery driver with a history of DUI convictions. Theft concerns could concern a financial firm, and assault charges may interest a company with vulnerable clients or customers. 

What types of criminal offences appear on a criminal record check, and how likely is it that an applicant will have a criminal record?

Unfortunately, given the sheer number of people with records in both the U.S. and Canada, applicants will likely have a criminal record. What appears in a criminal record check depends on who you hire to conduct the search and whether your company is in the U.S. or Canada. 

In Canada, criminal records checks typically include a search for summary and indictable criminal convictions listed in the Canadian Police Information CPIC or local databases.  For an additional fee, employers can also receive a criminal records check that includes: 

  • Outstanding entries include charges and warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, and probation and prohibition orders. As per CPIC policy, information obtained from the Investigative Databank must be confirmed and authorized for release by the contributing agency.
  • Absolute and conditional discharges were still within the applicable disclosure periods.
  • Family Court Restraining Orders.
  • Charged and processed by other means, such as diversion, will only be released as police contact.
  • Dispositions include, but are not limited to, withdrawn, dismissed, and cases of not criminally responsible because of mental disorder.
  • A review of all eligible police contacts, including but not limited to theft, weapons, sex offences, or violent, harmful and threatening behaviour.

In the U.S., criminal records checks will include criminal charges in county criminal court databases and national criminal databases that include county courthouse, state and correctional institution records. It will also include a search of terrorist watch lists, financial institution sanctions and other security searches, and a search of the national sex offender registry. 

For additional fees, employers can request a federal criminal court search of the last seven years for criminal activities related to fraud, tax evasion, bank robbery, child pornography, Security & Exchange Commission crimes, drug trafficking, kidnapping and transport of illegal aliens. They can also request a wants and warrants search of state and county courthouses and correctional institutions. 

How can employers conduct criminal record checks on potential employees, and what are the consequences of not doing so?

Employers should seek the assistance of a reputable search firm or background check provider. This ensures that the criminal record check is comprehensive but also helps ensure that employers are following the legal requirements in their jurisdiction for these types of background checks. 

Not requiring a criminal records check for new hires can have unintended consequences that put your organization, people or the public at risk. Criminal records checks can help employers:

  • Know who they are hiring and ensure their criminal past will not impact their job performance. For example, financial companies might want to avoid those with theft convictions. 
  • Keep people safe by identifying violent criminals, sex offenders or others who could put fellow workers, clients or customers at risk of harm. 
  • Reduce liability risks by identifying known issues for employees. For example, you would want to avoid hiring a driver with a history of dangerous driving convictions. If you failed to do a background check on that driver or a violent criminal and someone is hurt, you could be held liable. 
  • Avoid the risk of reputational harm by avoiding a hire that could put your business reputation at risk. 

How can employers conduct criminal record checks on applicants?

A criminal record check is a best practice for most employers and can help ensure workplace safety and health. Employers should start with a thorough understanding of the business and the types of records checks and convictions that are important to that business. Financial institutions, for example, may want to avoid hiring those with theft convictions, while those dealing with vulnerable clients, such as children, will want to prevent assault convictions. 

Here are a few additional tips for ensuring your criminal records checks go as smoothly as possible. 

  • Employ the services of a reputable firm 
  • Ensure you get written consent from the prospective new hire
  • Send the results of the check to the prospective employee to confirm factual accuracy 
  • Maintain an up-to-date background check policy and provide a copy to prospective employees
  • Understand that background checks, including criminal records checks, can only be conducted for employment purposes to determine suitability for a job. 

Contact us to Book Background Testing Today!

Hiring the wrong person can be costly and time-consuming. Bad hires can lead to low morale, decreased productivity, and even lawsuits. Background Checks provide key information about your job candidates, supporting more informed decision-making when finding the right hire. We offer criminal record checks, educational verification, and employment verification so you can feel confident in your hiring decisions.

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KEY TAKEAWAY: If you miss this crucial step in your hiring process, you could end up paying for it in the long term. Here’s why background checks are important when hiring seasonal employees.


By Elly McGuinness

As the busy winter holiday season draws nearer, many businesses in North America will be looking to take on seasonal employees. When seasonal hiring is done well, it helps businesses to thrive during a time of higher work volume. This becomes possible without adding to the workload of permanent employees, who may want to take time off during this time of the year.

Overall, hiring seasonal workers is a valuable, money-saving strategy for many industries. It enables businesses to meet the demands of the holiday season without needing to pay all employees on a year-round basis. During the quieter times of the year, permanent full-time and part-time employees cover all the bases. And, during the busiest times, employers may bring in seasonal workers to meet the extra demands of the business.

Industries that may hire seasonal employees over the winter

Every industry has its unique ebbs and flows over the course of the year, and there are several that are most likely to hire seasonal employees over the winter season. These industries include the following:

The retail sector

Customers are looking to purchase gifts for friends, family, colleagues, and employees over the Christmas and New Year seasons. This makes it one of the busiest times of the year for the retail sector. 

As well as customer-facing roles, extra help is needed with administration, stocking shelves, and more. Retail stores and shopping centers may also hire their very own holiday characters, where seasonal workers are hired to dress up as a particular character.

The hospitality industry

Winter season celebrations, work functions, and an overall increased intake of food and beverages call for more hands-on deck in hotels, restaurants, and similar hospitality-centric businesses. 

The postal industry

Although holiday snail mail may be less popular than it once was, the soaring popularity of online shopping keeps the postal industry busier than ever over the Christmas holiday season.

Winter-specific jobs

There are plenty of new job roles that are created especially for snowy winter seasons. These include the many opportunities in winter recreation spots like ski hills, cold-weather resorts, as well as roles with snow removal companies, for example.

Why background checks are important when hiring seasonal employees

Background Checks & Recruitment

It might be tempting to skip the background checks for seasonal employees, given that they’ll probably only be with your organization for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. After all, skipping this step appears to save time and money.

However, background checks for seasonal employees should be considered just as important as those for your year-round employees. Miss this crucial step and you could end up paying for it in the long term.

Some of the main reasons that background checks are important for seasonal workers are outlined as follows.

Employee theft is a widespread problem that is estimated to cost 5% of a business’s annual revenue, on average 

A survey of 5,000 companies estimated a total financial loss of $42 billion from employee fraud. Employee theft has the potential to impact a business’s bottom line significantly more than the cost involved for background checks. 

It’s possible that the incidence of theft could also be higher during the holiday season when business is busier and financial stresses for employees may be higher. Additionally, seasonal workers may not hold the same level of loyalty to the company as long-term employees. Employee background checks help minimize the risk of employee theft impacting a business.

Knowledge of previous illegal conduct helps employers to make good hiring decisions

Background employee checks alert employers to any previous criminal convictions including violence, fraud, drug abuse, and theft. This allows the employer to make a more informed decision about whether the prospective seasonal worker is a good fit for the company.

Happy holiday customers

Thorough background checks of seasonal employees are important for keeping customers happy at an often-busy time of the year. If you skip essential steps when looking for and hiring seasonal employees, you may also be missing out on the competency, quality, and exemplary customer service that’s needed to keep customers happy during the often hectic and chaotic winter season.

Seasonal workers can become permanent workers or regular seasonal workers

You may choose to offer high-performing seasonal workers a permanent role after the winter season. If you’ve covered all the necessary checks from the outset, you’ll have an easier transition into the demands of the New Year ahead. 

Similarly, some workers in search of part-time seasonal employment may be interested in filling the same role every winter season. If you take the time to select the right seasonal employees from the beginning, they might wish to return for subsequent winter seasons. This saves both time and money in your future seasonal hiring process.

Tips for background checks of seasonal workers

Once you’ve determined that background checks are a good idea for seasonal employees, you’re still probably going to want to make the process as efficient as possible in terms of both time and cost. You may want to bring several seasonal workers on in a short space of time. It’s a busy time of year and you’ll want to ensure a high-quality and reliable seasonal workforce. Therefore, here are some top tips to streamline the process:

  • Outsource background checks to a professional company. This saves time because you don’t need to call previous employers yourself. It also ensures the process is carried out professionally and legally.
    • SureHire has your employee background checks covered. These include criminal record checks, and education and employment verifications to ensure you’re selecting the right person for your job role. Best of all, these are done quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of your business during the upcoming winter season. Find out about SureHire’s Pre-Employment Background Check Services here.
  • Use online background checks, rather than those that involve paperwork.
  • Plan early for holiday season hiring. When you plan early, you can get requests for background checks done early, and have more time available for onboarding and training.

Pre-employment background checks for seasonal workers are one important aspect to consider for the upcoming holiday season. It’s also important to remember that seasonal workers are protected under employment law and have many of the same rights as permanent employees. 

Set Your Business Up For Success

With the importance of background checks and the tips to help you successfully navigate the process in mind, you should be able to prepare your business to thrive in the winter season.


KEY TAKEAWAY: Hearing protection is necessary to prevent health risks from noise exposure. Here are the pros and cons of custom earplugs for occupational noise exposure. 



By Jennifer Crump

Effects of Noise Exposure

Researchers have long associated hearing loss with long-term exposure to hazardous noise or short-term exposure to extreme levels of noise. Exposure to dangerous noise happens far more often than many of us realize. In fact, researchers found that 43% of workers in one study had experienced long-term exposure to hazardous noise levels in the workplace. The researchers defined hazardous noise levels as being unable to speak at normal levels with someone who is at arm’s length. Surprisingly, just 36% of people who worked in these noisy environments were required to wear hearing protection.  

Exposure to high noise levels can lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss, which cannot be reversed with surgery or hearing aids.

Once your hearing is damaged, it cannot be fixed. However, good hearing protection can help prevent hearing loss and damage along with many other hearing-related conditions such as tinnitus. The use of appropriate hearing protection devices designed to protect your hearing can essentially eliminate all of these conditions related to occupational noise exposure.

Every provincial labour department sets its own standards. Still, most jurisdictions prevent workers from being exposed to noises that exceed a time-weighted average exposure limit of 85 dBA that is measured over an eight-hour workday. They also mandate hearing protection for workers who must be exposed to high levels of noise. 

There are several options for hearing protection, including earmuffs and both custom and disposable earplugs. Earplugs are a popular choice both for their comfort and ease of use. However, while all earplugs can help protect against noise, disposable earplugs can be less effective than custom earplugs. For employers trying to determine what the right fit is for their team, here are the pros and cons of custom moulded hearing protection.

Pros 

Molded for Exact Fit 

A trained impression taker and laboratory technician will create an exact mold of all portions of your ear, including the canal, concha and helix. The earplugs are crafted for a precise fit to your specific ear canal and ear. An exact fit means the earplugs will be more comfortable and still block out excessive noise. It also ensures they will not put undue pressure on your ear canal or stick out too far and potentially catch on other headgear. 

Comfort

Unlike earmuffs, workers can wear custom earplugs under helmets, with earrings, and with glasses without interfering with fit or effectiveness. The fit and the materials they are made from make them more comfortable for long-term wear in hot or humid work areas. They can also be more convenient for use in small or confined spaces than other hearing protection alternatives. 

Easy to Store

Earplugs are small and easily stored in a locker or transported to and from work, making them more convenient for your employees to have on hand at all times. 

Reusable

Since custom earplugs are designed for repeated wear, they do not cause the kind of waste and long-term environmental damage that disposable earplugs do. This can be a huge bonus if your company tries to implement environmentally-friendly measures whenever possible.

Long-Lasting

Custom earplugs can last for many years, often five or more if they are well cared for. Thus, while they may be more expensive initially than their disposable counterparts, the cost per use will likely be much lower over time.

Individualized 

Every ear canal is different. Because custom earplugs fit your ear canal exactly, they won’t dislodge, fall out or cause you discomfort. Custom earplugs are also excellent for tiny ear canals or oddly shaped canals resulting from an injury or a congenital disability. They can help ensure all members of your team are equally protected. 

Customized Noise Protection

Custom earplugs can be made with special filters to block out specific levels and types of noise. This is an advantage over disposable earplugs, which muffle all noise. This customization is essential for workers who need to hear certain things while still blocking out dangerous noise levels. 

Cons

Occasional Discomfort

Earplugs can cause general discomfort for some people, primarily if used for long periods of time, as they must be held in the ear canal. However, custom-fitted earplugs do essentially eliminate the feeling of compression some people associate with disposable earplugs. 

Not Suitable for High Levels of Noise

Even custom earplugs are not recommended for extremely high levels of noise such as levels above 105 dBA. They can, however, be combined with earmuffs for additional protection when noise reaches higher levels, offering flexibility to your team depending on what tasks they have on their plate and what the associated noise levels are.

Need to be Fitted

Custom earplugs require an earmold impression of the ear canal to ensure proper fit. Some people find this process somewhat uncomfortable. You must also set aside time for your employees to get this impression done before they are able to work.

Maintenance

Unlike their disposable counterparts, which you can toss in the trash once you are finished with them, custom earplugs require simple but regular cleaning with mild soap and water. You can risk introducing dirt or infection if you don’t properly care for them. You may need to build in some maintenance and care training for your employees. This is important for the longevity of their custom earplugs, as well as their own health. 

Initial Costs

There is a higher upfront cost for custom earplugs compared to disposable earplugs. However, disposable earplugs are generally only cheaper if used sporadically rather than daily. 

Break-in Time 

Custom earplugs may take some time to break in properly. This process can take up to a week with lubricant application to ease application until they can be easily inserted. 

In Conclusion

If your employees are exposed to noise during their day, hearing protection is absolutely essential. While you want to ensure they are equipped with the appropriate hearing protection, prevention is also key. SureHire’s audiometric testing services can help you detect noise-induced hearing loss before it becomes a problem.


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TAKEAWAY: Hiring the wrong employee can have disastrous consequences, which is why behavioral assessment testing can be such a critical tool in your recruitment arsenal. 



By Jennifer Crump

Bad hires can be incredibly costly for your company, from both a financial perspective and a time perspective. A recent Robert Half survey found that managers wasted an average of four months on new hires, including 11 weeks to realize the new hires were not a good fit and five weeks to restaff the position. Worse, three in four senior managers admitted they had hired the wrong candidate for a role. The risk of a bad hire and the negative impact they bring along with them has dramatically increased over the last year.

There is a lot at stake for employers. Of course, there is the direct loss of productivity and costs associated with hiring, letting go, and rehiring for positions. However, a bad hire can also decrease team morale and foster a general loss of productivity among team members. They will also add unnecessary stress on supervisors. Estimates for the actual cost of hiring the wrong person vary widely from $15,000 to 1.5 to 3.5 times the hire’s salary. These estimates consider everything from advertising the position to training and onboarding.

Beginning your interview process with a behavioral assessment can mitigate the effects of these bad hires and help ensure you are hiring the right fit for a particular role. Here is how behavior assessment testing can help you find the best employees.

How behavioral testing works

Behavioral testing is used during recruitment and employee development to assess core competencies required to perform a job successfully. It tests for behavioural competencies including skills, knowledge, and personal traits specific to a role or position. It can take the form of interviews, direct supervision, and self-observation. In essence, they provide you with some insight into a potential employee’s personality, motivations, and temperament. 

In an employment context, candidates are often presented with a series of work-related scenarios and must choose from a series of actions. Their response to these scenarios can tell you a lot about their potential competency in the role. The tester will often begin by asking the employer a series of archived questions to discuss which might be valid for the specific industry and position. They might also test the survey out on existing employees and get feedback, revising the test before applying it to potential new employees. This helps customize the assessment to their specific needs.

Behavioral testing differs from personality testing and cognitive testing because it tests for behavior rather than thoughts and feelings or job-specific skills. It shows employers how potential employees might react to specific situations rather than how they think about things. In this way, it is often a better indicator of possible job performance.

Benefits of behavioral assessments

There are numerous benefits to using behavioral assessments in your recruiting process. In essence, these tests can be used to gauge how a candidate will fit into your company culture, what their potential for success is in the role, and how they will likely approach both work and co-workers. 

1. Highly customizable 

One of the significant bonuses of behavioral assessments is that they are highly customizable. For example, someone in the service industry needs a different approach than someone in sales, and behavioral assessment can be tailored to these exact needs. You can address your organization’s specific needs when setting up your behavioral assessment testing, tailoring the questions or scenarios to target exactly what you need to know.

2. Allow for communication of company culture

Behavioral assessments also allow you to impart your brand values and company culture. This will ensure the employee sees themselves as a good fit before they accept the job. 

3. Predict employee performance

You want to hire an employee who will thrive in their role. Behavioral assessments are excellent predictors of on-the-job performance because they simulate actual situations an employee may encounter. [INSERT link to TalentClick Case Study and add an opt-in campaign to complete free trial]

4. Give employees a sense of the job

Behavioral assessments deliver realistic job performance testing for employees. They provide the potential employees being considered with a sense of what it will actually be like working for you in a particular position.

5. Provide an opportunity for easy feedback

Giving post-interview feedback to unsuccessful candidates can be a challenge. Using the behavioural assessment results can provide you with real data you can then offer to candidates. It lets them know where they performed well and where they didn’t. It helps them see that they just weren’t the right fit for the particular role or your particular organization.

6. Make data-driven decisions

While employers have primarily eliminated obvious biases from their hiring process, unconscious bias is difficult for many to overcome. Assessment results provide you with hard data you can use to justify either hiring or not hiring an employee that is free of bias — conscious or unconscious.

7. Ensure objective comparisons

When you have two good candidates, it can be challenging to choose between them, especially if they possess similar skillsets and a similar level of experience. A behavioral assessment can provide objective data that serves as an additional basis for comparison.

8. Hire confidently and efficiently 

Behavioral assessments can also improve confidence in hiring decisions. They streamline the process by eliminating potential poor fits and improve your return on investment in hiring new employees.

Tools and services to consider

It can be daunting to come up with behavioral assessment testing measures from scratch, but don’t worry — you don’t have to. Utilize the expertise of companies who have already set up particular surveys, tests, or frameworks that can benefit your organization. Most occupational testing and search firms offer behavioral assessments services. Depending on your contract, you can usually access and customize these services to fit specific locations and roles. 

A variety of tools and technologies can also help you deliver behavioral assessments to potential employees. These are especially valuable to in-house recruitment efforts. For example, SureHire offers TalentClick, an online service that is a global leader specializing in predictive analytics using employee behavioral assessments. TalentClick bundles four popular assessment tools into one survey that offers employers valuable pre-hire insights that can help ensure you select the right candidates for your team.


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Takeaway: Keeping fleet safety is key to keeping drivers safe and reducing costs. Here are 5 ways you can optimize your fleet safety program.


Injuries resulting from vehicle accidents are 9th leading cause of injuries in the workplace. These accidents are also costly. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), motor vehicle accidents cost employers $60 billion annually. On average, each crash costs an employer $16,500. These expenses rise to $74,000 if there is an injury and exceed $500,000 if there is a fatality.

Making a well-rounded safety program for your company can reduce risk and increase driver protection. Implementing safety best practices should start from the hiring process.  Here are some key elements to include in your fleet safety program.

Safety Training in Onboarding

Your fleet safety program should start with your hiring process. If you begin with a solid driver who knows what they’re doing on the road, your fleet is already moving in the right direction. Consider these steps:

  1. Prioritize hiring experienced fleet drivers with stellar safety records.
  2. Ensure your hiring team takes the time to contact references and previous employers and requests specific information about safety records.
  3. Check out a potential employee’s motor vehicle reports (MVRs).
  4. Disqualify anyone with serious violations such as driving under the influence (DUI). Look carefully at minor violations if there a more than a few.
  5. Consider including a road test with the vehicle the applicant will be operating as part of your hiring process.
  6. Onboard your new drivers with an eye to safe driving practices as well as your protocols for inspections and maintenance.
  7. Emphasize the need for defensive driving, the dangers of distracted driving and the signs of driver fatigue.

All of these are leading causes of accidents among both commercial and non-commercial drivers. If you’re a Department of Transportation (DOT) monitored company, you will also need to provide DOT-mandated training to your drivers.

Training Programs

Training should also be conducted in policies, reporting, and inspection requirements that are specific to your company. If and when these requirements change, all employees should receive new training.

In addition to onboarding new drivers, your training program should deliver ongoing driver education to your existing drivers. Provide refresher courses in defensive and distracted driving as well as in monitoring driver fatigue. It’s also good practice to include health-related education for your drivers, especially long haulers who may be facing additional health risks.

Clear Communications

Establishing clear company policies regarding fleet safety and ensuring they are communicated widely and often to your employees is a critical component of strengthening your fleet safety program. Formally document all of your fleet safety program elements and include responsibilities, expectations, and, of course, consequences. There should also be a framework for evaluating and amending the fleet safety program and benchmarks for assessing what is working and what isn’t. Additionally, these policies can, and should, include the following:

  • A mobile device use policy that outlines when and where drivers can use electronic devices in your vehicle.
  • Alcohol use and drug use policies, as well as alcohol testing and drug testing procedures, which should adhere to DOT requirements.
  • Policies on the use of seat belts, other safety features and the required use of specific fleet safety technologies make it clear that safety is a priority.
  • Information about training should also include remedial training and when it may be required.
  • Procedures for dealing with vehicle crashes. Who should be called and when? Provide these in a step-by-step format that clearly outlines what drivers should and should not do in the event of a crash.
  • Accident and other reporting requirements should include templates for accident and maintenance reporting.
  • Vehicle maintenance and inspection procedures should include a safety checklist for drivers to complete before leaving the yard and policies for routine maintenance by a mechanic.

Technology and Driver Protection

Technology for fleet safety management has developed at a rapid pace over the last few years. Investing in these new technologies can keep your drivers safe and secure your assets. While the key priority is to make sure your drivers are well trained and alert on the road, technological advances can help address any areas for human error and increase the overall safety of your fleet.

Maintenance Checks for Vehicles

Simply put, well-maintained vehicles are safe vehicles. Preventative maintenance can save money over the long term by reducing breakdowns and expensive repairs. Have a set schedule in place for light routine maintenance such as oil changes and more comprehensive inspections of the vehicle by a licensed mechanic.

Strictly enforce daily driver inspections of their vehicles. Before they set out, this should include lights, horn, turn signals, brake lights, oil and coolant levels, tire pressure and rear-view mirrors. Regular maintenance should be logged and kept in the vehicle, and drivers should conduct an end-of-day inspection and report any defects immediately.

Conclusion

Accidents happen, but ongoing issues might point to the need for remedial training or even termination. Safety violations should be logged and monitored on an ongoing basis by management. Conversely, though, companies should reward safe drivers. Consider implementing safety bonuses, additional vacation days, updated equipment, or other incentives for your safe drivers.


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Takeaway: SureHire takes cybersecurity extremely seriously. Given the size of the recent RockYou2021 cyberattack, which saw 800+ million passwords leaked on the dark web, SureHire wants to help you protect your online accounts immediately. We also want to let you know more about the systems, technology, and important security protocols we’re implementing to protect our client information.

The cybercriminals behind the RockYou2021 password dump are responsible for 800+ million passwords leaked on the dark web — the largest collection of stolen passwords to date. The leak includes usernames, email addresses, and passwords for hundreds of millions of people who use services like Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Twitter, and many more popular sites.

According to author, Edvardas Mikalauskas, “A forum user posted a massive 100GB TXT file that contains 8.4 billion entries of passwords, which have presumably been combined from previous data leaks and breaches.” (Cybernews.com, 2021)

Given the size of this cyberattack, SureHire wants to help you protect your online information immediately (personal and work). We also want to let you know more about our systems, technology, and important security protocols we use to protect our client information.

Leaked Passwords: How to protect yourself from cyberattacks.

You have to be on your guard when it comes password leaks and other forms of cyberattacks. You may think you’re safe, but there are a number of things that can happen without warning. If you think your information may have been breached, here’s what you can do to protect yourself.

  1. Find out if your data has been leaked. First things first, you’ll want to know if your information has been leaked. You can use this Personal Data Leak Checker to check if your personal and work email accounts are secure.
  2. Change Your Passwords. If any of your personal information is at risk, change your passwords immediately! There are many tools and resources to help you generate secure passwords. Keeper is a great tool that not only helps with password generation but also allows you to store passwords securely and share them with teams. Learn more about Keeper.
  3. Enable 2FA. Ensure 2FA is enabled on all sites where the service is offered. 2FA (two-factor authentication) is an account access feature that requires users to provide two different types of information: (1) a password and (2) another way to prove your identity some other way to gain access. This convinces a computer system or online service that you are who say you are so the system can determine if you have the rights to access the data services you’re trying to get access to. SureHires uses 2FA internally across all systems.
  4. Enable Password Expiration. Enable password expiration on all of your accounts to help protect you from these types of attacks, which can result in account takeovers and other malicious activity if the attacker has access to a long-term, inactive account with an unchanged password.
  5. Avoid Reusing Your Passwords. Since most people reuse their passwords across multiple apps and websites, the number of accounts affected by credential stuffing and password spraying attacks in the wake of this leak can potentially reach millions, if not billions. Setting up unique, high-quality passwords will help keep your information safe.

SureHire’s Cybersecurity Protocols

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Safe. Secure. Simple.

SureLink is your exclusive hub for online bookings and results, giving you instant access to the information you need anytime; anywhere. This innovative, secure solution offers peace of mind and a seamless user experience.

SureLink is our secure online client bookings and results portal. This system is unique to SureHire and gives clients instant access to information regarding their employees’ pending, upcoming, and past appointments.

We take a number of security measures to ensure all client data is secure.

  • All users are required to have a complex passwords that are required to be reset at set time intervals.       
  • SureLink is secured using todays most advanced security technology.
  • We use data encryption to ensure your files and data are secure.
  • We perform regular system audits to ensure there is no unauthorized access to your SureLink account.

If you’re a current client, you know about the SureLink advantage. If not,click here to learn more about our exclusive client bookings and results portal.

Note

If you are a current SureHire client, don’t forget to verify your email address with us and check your dashboard notifications for details.

Questions? Contact us—that’s what we’re here for after all!


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Having trouble finding qualified candidates? Bad hires can cost you — consider these 6 background check best practices to ensure you’re onboarding solid additions to your team.

Bad hires can cost you. These are the employees who are significantly less likely to stay, waste your investment in onboarding and add additional recruitment costs to an already expensive process. Bad hires can also put your company at risk for safety violations and even in legal jeopardy. The average jury award for negligent hiring, for example, is $1 million USD and companies lose 79% of these cases.

Background checks, including pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, can prevent many of these bad hires and the costs that go along with them. In fact, one study pegged the first-year retention rate for employees who underwent background checks at 89% compared to unscreened candidates, whose retention rate often fell below 60%.

A semi truck driving along a winding road surrounded by majestic mountains under a clear blue sky.

While a thorough background check makes sense for most companies, it’s the law for Department of Transportation (DOT) regulated companies. DOT mandates the pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and drug and alcohol testing history requirements in 49 CFR Part 40.25. Various DOT governed agencies, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), enforce additional employment background checks that include work history and driving records.

Here are 6 best practices you need to know about background checks to ensure you’re getting the most out of the process.

1. Potential Employees Have Rights Too

You might be tempted to have an “a-ha” moment once you’ve uncovered information about a potential new employee. However, be wary and use the new data cautiously. Many states have privacy laws. There are also legal grace periods, after which it becomes illegal to use certain information. For these reasons, getting your employees to sign off on the background check is always a good idea. However, a signature alone will not save you if you misuse the information.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has detailed guidelines regarding background checks and how you can and cannot use the information you uncover. For example, with criminal background checks, you must consider how long ago the crime occurred, the nature of the crime, and its relevance to the job you are hiring for. This makes sense under all circumstances. A traffic violation is not the same as a conviction for embezzlement, but a background check could flag both. The traffic violation might matter to a trucking company hiring a new driver, but not to a bank hiring a new teller. In Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Commission outlines similar guidelines.

2. All Potential Hires Are Equal

If that traffic violation is going to eliminate a candidate for a position with your company, you must ensure that the same offence eliminates every potential employee. You cannot make exceptions, nor can you be perceived to be applying the background check more stringently to a single potential employee or group of employees.

This means all applicants to a specific job in your company. The criteria for eliminating warehouse employees could be very different than that of your office staff, but you must uniformly apply it to all applicants to each department.

In addition to not discriminating against someone based on a person’s race, national origin, color, gender, religion, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or age, you cannot be perceived to be discriminating based on these criteria. No matter how good your intentions were, it is the perception that matters. For example, unless it is necessary, avoid asking identifying questions on an application and maintain consistent criteria for elimination and hiring.

Finally, understand that you cannot eliminate a candidate solely based on criminal history, particularly if that client has been honest with you during the interview process.

3. Guidelines Can Keep You on Track

A written policy can help you take advantage of background checks’ benefits while avoiding many of the pitfalls that accompany them. Your policy should outline the types of background checks you require of potential employees and their consequences. It should also clearly outline your procedures for conducting these background checks. Will you do checks in-house, or will you contract out, for example?

Social media is an incredibly valuable tool for conducting background checks, but it comes with risk. If you are going to use social media, create a policy that takes into account recent legal decisions and laws to ensure your use of social media to investigate new hires remains compliant with them.

A policy ensures you are consistent with individual applicants and with state and federal laws regarding background checks. But as these laws are continually evolving, ensure you revisit the policy often and revise as necessary.

4. Leverage Information Wisely

One often overlooked aspect of background checks is the additional positive information you may discover about an employee. This may include skills or experiences that were not highlighted in their resume or during the interview process. Their responses to additional requests for background information may reveal something about their character or approach that resonates with you.

On the other hand, you must maintain the privacy of your candidates. The information you gather must be strictly used for hiring decisions and may not be shared with others either inside or outside your firm.

Consider talking to candidates to request an explanation or additional information, particularly when you uncover something concerning. You don’t want to dismiss potentially great candidates unnecessarily.

5. Contract to a Third Party

While it is possible to leverage your existing staff to do background checks, there are some significant advantages to contracting this out.

First, they are professionals whose job it is to stay on top of the most recent legal requirements. Their knowledge means they can reduce your exposure to violations of privacy or discrimination laws.

Second, they are professionals with experience and expertise. They know precisely how to find the information you require and have access to databases and other technology you may lack. This means they are more likely to find the information you need and also find it more quickly. This can significantly reduce bottlenecks in your hiring process.

6. Check the Right Boxes

Avoiding a bad hire means gathering all the relevant information you need about the candidate before you make an offer. This is why background checks are critical but focusing on the right checks is also crucial.

Some of the background checks you may want to consider include:

  • Criminal Records Checks
  • Employment Verification Checks
  • Reference Checks
  • Education Verification Checks
  • Drug and Alcohol Screening
  • Driver’s Abstracts

Choose the background checks that are relevant to the position. Avoid gathering information you don’t need or shouldn’t have. This can lead to claims of discrimination, and may potentially be an unnecessary distraction.

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Not sure where to start? SureHire offers a full suite of background check services to support informed hiring decisions. Contact our team today to learn more.


Author: Jennifer Crump is a former freelance journalist and author and now full-time content writer and strategist. She contributes to magazines and blogs throughout North America on issues related to business, training, financing and workplace safety. Full Bio.


Key Takeaway: Getting ready to hire for the holiday rush? Here are 5 things to consider before holiday hiring that will help you reduce risk and maximize success.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has brought devastation to an unthinkable number of industries, this does not hold true to all. There are roughly 7.8 billion people in the world and about 26% of them are online shoppers (Sleeknote). As a result, e-commerce sales are expected to reach $4.2 trillion by the end of 2020 (Statista), and UPS announced earlier this year that it expects to hire over 100,000 seasonal employees [in the U.S. alone] to support the anticipated annual increase (UPS Pressroom).

5 Holiday Hiring Risk Reduction Measures

  1. Pre-Employment Background Checks. A thorough background check prior to hiring can save an organization an enormous amount of grief and expense down the road. In addition, completing background checks on potential candidates accelerates the recruiting process and dramatically improves the quality of information that is necessary to make well-informed hiring decisions. SureHire offers an easy, cost-effective solution to pre-employment background checks. The information we deliver is accurate, timely, and secure, accessible through our exclusive client portal. Contact us to learn more.
  2. Drug & Alcohol Testing. Drinking and driving is one of the main causes of road crashes worldwide. In high-income countries, about 20% of fatally injured drivers have excess alcohol in their blood, while in some low- and middle-income countries these figures may be up to 69% (UN Road Safety Collaboration). The implementation of pre-employment, pre-access, post-incident, and reasonable cause testing is a great mitigation tool to decrease the risk of substance abuse in the workplace. SureHire offers a range of drug & alcohol testing services. With an extensive network of facilities across North America, certified technicians, and same-day results notifications, we make it easy to be sure you’ve got the right hire for the job. Contact us to learn more.
  3. Mobile Occupational Testing. When getting your workers into a facility isn’t convenient, mobile testing can be a great solution, offering reduced downtime, fewer missed or delayed tests, reduced possibility of compromised tests, higher participation, reduced liability, and increased flexibility. SureHire’s mobile fleet provisions a range of occupational tests, including breath alcohol testing, oral fluid drug testing, audiometric screening, respirator fitting, temperature screening, and more. Contact us to learn more
  4. Fitness-to-Work Testing. Many jobs require employees to be able to perform work tasks that are critical to their role (otherwise known as bona fide occupational requirements, or BFORs for short). These work tasks may include lifting, carrying, crouching, bending, reaching, and long periods of time spent moving without rest. Despite how common these job-related activities are, employers often overlook the importance of evaluating these activities and comparing them against a job candidate’s physical capabilities. Contact us to learn more.
  5. Education & Training. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 43% of employees admit they may be too tired to function safely at work. In addition, collision with a vehicle in transport was the first harmful event (the first event during a crash that resulted in injury or property damage) in 73 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks, 84 percent of injury crashes involving large trucks, and 76 percent of property damage only crashes involving large trucks (FMCSA). SureHire offers a range of education and training programs to support informed decision-making in the workplace. Contact us to learn more.

Before you set out to hire this holiday season, consider the risks, and be sure you’ve got the right hire for the job. Learn more about our services and work with us to keep our workforces and communities safe, healthy, and productive.

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