Effect of orientation training on safety behavior

With the orientation training, the employees are provided with occupational health and safety information, including the job’s threats, risks, and precautions. Although employees are required to take an orientation training on the first working day, according to the Social Security Institution reports of occupational accidents between 2001-2019, 60% of the occupational accidents occurred on the first working day, and 68% of these first working day accidents occurred in the construction sector. This study examines the effect of orientation training on displaying safety behavior. The data were collected from 493 construction employees in Turkey via a questionnaire. According to the results, an employment contract between the employee and the employer, the type of employer, and the type of work are associated with the provision of orientation training. Then, it was determined that the level of use of personal protective equipment was high in those who received orientation training. Finally, it was determined that the safety behavior of the employees who received orientation training was higher than those who did not. Orientation training increases the level of safety behavior and therefore has a preventive effect on first working day accidents in the construction industry.