Last year’s Safety Week focused on “Saying STOP”. How does this year’s theme build on that conversation?  

Last year’s theme encouraged people to speak up, challenge unsafe situations and feel empowered to say STOP when something didn’t feel right. This year’s focus on onboarding naturally builds on that because the confidence to speak up often starts from the very beginning of someone’s experience within a workplace or on a site.  

If we want people to challenge unsafe behaviours, ask questions and feel comfortable raising concerns, we need to create an environment where that is encouraged from day one. Effective onboarding helps set those expectations early and reinforces that safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just something owned by one team or department.  

When people hear “onboarding”, they often think about inductions and PPE. Why is it much bigger than that?  

Inductions and PPE are obviously important, but onboarding should never feel like a tick-box exercise. Across Actemium UK, Omexom UK, Omexom Ireland and Axians UK, our workplaces, projects and environments all look very different, so onboarding needs to be adaptable and relevant to each setting – helping people feel supported and respected while acting as an early barrier to incidents from day one. 

Good onboarding is continuous, engaging and practical. It’s about helping people understand the environment they’re working in, the risks associated with it and how we expect work to be carried out safely. More importantly, it’s about helping people feel supported and confident enough to ask questions if they are unsure about something.  

Why is the early stage of someone joining a workplace so important from a safety perspective?  

The first few days and weeks in any new environment are often when people are most vulnerable. They are learning new processes, new teams, new surroundings and sometimes entirely new ways of working. That’s why creating a positive and supportive onboarding experience matters so much.  

For me, effective onboarding is about embedding behaviours early. It’s about making sure people understand not only the practical side of safety, but also our business culture which safety is an integral part of. We want people to know that speaking up is encouraged, asking questions is welcomed and stopping work if something feels unsafe will always be supported.  

What role do teams and leaders play in creating a strong onboarding experience?  

Everyone has a role to play. Managers and supervisors help set expectations, but experienced colleagues also play a huge part in helping new starters feel welcomed and supported. Sometimes the small day-to-day interactions are what make the biggest difference. 

This approach should extend beyond our direct employees too. Temporary workers, subcontractors and visitors, whether in our offices or on site should all receive the same level of support, information and guidance so they feel safe, informed and confident from the moment they arrive. 

Our safety is built collectively. When people feel respected, included and able to communicate openly, safety becomes embedded naturally into our everyday behaviours rather than feeling like an ‘add-on’ to day-to-day work or something only considered during formal processes and presentations. 

What does successful onboarding look like to you?  

For me, successful onboarding is when someone feels confident, informed and comfortable enough to speak up. It’s when they understand the risks within their environment, know where to go for support and feel like they are genuinely part of the team.  

Onboarding is not something that starts and ends on day one. It should continue throughout someone’s time within the business, adapting as projects, workplaces, ways of working and responsibilities evolve. Ultimately, onboarding is about much more than an induction - it’s one of the foundations of a strong culture that helps people not only start safe but stay safe.  So, you see, onboarding is so much more than inductions and PPE, onboarding is not just for new starters, it is for everyone anywhere in the organisation and it is the backbone of our careers as we learn, develop and grow. 

Learn more about safety at VINCI Energies UK & RoI here: https://www.vinci-energies.co.uk/health-safety-and-wellbeing/