[December 04, 2014]

ASSE's Professional Safety Journal: Mentors Help Ease Learning Curve for New Safety Hires

Companies that support a robust mentor program for new safety employees are more apt to reduce the learning curve they face and retain their services longer, an important feat considering competition to keep them will rise with an estimated 25,000 safety practitioners retiring by 2016.

That is the conclusion authors Wanda Minnick, Steve Wilhide, Rich Diantoniis, Tom Goodheart, Simeon Logan and Ross Moreau reach in their article, "Onboarding OSH Professionals" in the December issue of Professional Safety, the American Society of Safety Engineer's monthly journal. High turnover is costly to any organization, not only in lost talent, but also in recruiting, socializing and training replacement employees, the authors write.

The authors asked employed ASSE safety professionals working in manufacturing, oil and gas and construction to complete an online survey. When asked what level of impact having a mentor made on their first six months on the job on their intent to stay within the company long term (more than five years), 92 percent said mentors had a positive impact. Only 57 percent of non-mentored participants said they had the same positive impact when asked the same question.

"Interestingly, the study indicates that retention intent, and mentoring may be associated events, thus showing value in a structured mentored program," the authors write. "In addition, incorporating activities that are valued by safety professionals into the mentoring program may help reduce the learning curve."

Read this article at: https://www.asse.org/assets/1/7/F2Minnick_1214.pdf

For more than 50 years, ASSE's Professional Safety journal has been sharing the latest technical knowledge in SH&E-information that is constantly being developed through research and on-the-job experience. Each issue delivers practical guidance, techniques and solutions to help SH&E professionals identify hazards, protect people, prevent injuries, improve work environments and educate management that investing in safety is a sound business strategy. For more information please visit http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety.

Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 36,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]