Why New Employees Are More Likely to Be Injured on the Job—and How to Help Prevent It

Bringing on a new employee is often a sign that a business is growing. More work, more demand, more business success—it’s a good problem to have. But it also comes with a less visible reality: new employees are more likely to be injured on the job than experienced ones. 

That’s not a reflection of effort or attitude. In most cases, it comes down to familiarity. 

New employees are still learning how things are done—how equipment works, how tasks flow, where risks exist, and what to watch for. Even in well-run operations, that learning curve creates exposure. 

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that workers experience higher rates of workplace injuries during their first year on the job, when they are still adjusting to new environments and responsibilities.¹ 

And in many cases, injuries happen before that learning curve has a chance to level out. 

Why Are New Employees at Higher Risk for Workplace Incidents? 

The answer usually isn’t one single issue. It’s a combination of small gaps that tend to show up early. 

New employees are: 

• Less familiar with their environment  

• Still learning proper procedures  

• More likely to hesitate or second-guess  

• Sometimes reluctant to ask questions  

Workplace injury data tracked by the BLS shows that injuries occur across all industries, with higher rates in fields like construction, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare, where work is more physical and fast-paced.² 

In those same environments, newer employees often face greater exposure early on, particularly in their first year, when they’re still learning the pace and expectations of the job. 

Even simple tasks can carry more risk when they’re unfamiliar. 

The First 90 Days Matter Most 

The first few months on the job are where most learning happens—and where risk tends to be highest. 

This is when employees are: 

• Adjusting to new routines  

• Learning expectations  

• Building confidence in their role  

It’s also when shortcuts, misunderstandings, or missed steps are more likely to happen. 

In other words, the risk isn’t just about the job itself—it’s about how new someone is to doing it. 

Common Factors That Lead to Early Injuries 

Unfamiliarity With Equipment and Tools 

Even experienced workers can struggle when using new equipment or systems. 

This is especially true in environments like construction or manufacturing, where tools and equipment can vary from job to job. Without hands-on familiarity, mistakes are more likely—especially under pressure. 

Information Overload During Onboarding 

Most onboarding processes cover a lot in a short amount of time. They are often designed to push required information to the employee as quickly as possible. They are not usually designed with any way to verify understanding. 

Policies, procedures, safety expectations—it’s a lot to take in. And not all of it sticks right away. 

When employees are expected to remember everything immediately, important details can get missed. 

Inconsistent and informal Training 

Training effectiveness is highly dependent on who is delivering it and how busy things are. 

That can lead to gaps—especially when new employees learn by watching others who may have developed their own shortcuts over time. 

Pressure to Know It All  

New employees often feel pressure to prove themselves in a new role. As a result, they may hesitate to ask questions when they don’t fully understand a task or process, choosing instead to figure it out on their own. 

This can lead to working too quickly, skipping steps, or taking on tasks before they’re fully comfortable—situations where incidents are more likely to occur. 

Supervisors play an important role in reducing this risk. Setting aside time for regular, low-pressure conversations can help uncover questions early and reinforce that asking for clarification is expected. Creating an environment where new employees feel comfortable speaking up can help prevent avoidable mistakes and improve overall safety. 

First 90 Days Safety Checklist for New Employees 

The first few months on the job are often the most impactful when it comes to educating employees on your company’s expectations. A few practical steps can make a meaningful difference: 

1. Take training outside of a classroom setting.
   Show employees how to complete tasks in real conditions, not just in a classroom setting during orientation.

2. Break training into smaller pieces.
   Spread it out instead of covering everything at once. It's best to address training needs when the topic is relevant.There is no need to review a winter weather work policy when it’s summer. If it's not a topic required by law to be covered immediately upon hire, see if it can wait.

3. Assign a go-to person.
   Make sure new employees know exactly who to ask when they have questions. It's important that they feel confident asking the person who can give them a credible, correct answer.  

4. Set expectations around pace.
   Reinforce that, as a new hire, they are not expected to maintain the same work pace as an experienced person. Stress to them that doing the job well is more important than doing it at the same speed as their coworker.

5. Check in regularly during the first few weeks. 
   Frequent, short conversations can help catch issues early, encourage open communication and idea sharing, and be very effective in building a positive workplace culture.

6. Revisit safety continually. 
   As employees get more comfortable, they may think they know it all, but safety does not have an end date.

Plus, as your new employee gets more comfortable with your positive workplace culture, they may have really good ideas to share. 

Why This Matters for Your Business 

Workplace incidents don’t just affect employees—they affect the business as a whole. 

Incidents can: 

• Disrupt productivity  

• Increase turnover  

• Lead to higher claim costs  

• Create ongoing safety concerns  

• Cause customer dissatisfaction

Even with the right training in place, incidents can still occur. Knowing how to respond in those moments can make a meaningful difference in recovery and overall impact. 

If an employee is injured, having a clear plan in place helps ensure they receive appropriate care while keeping your operations on track. Learn more about what to do if an employee is injured on the job. 

Incidents don’t always involve injuries. They can also lead to property damage, quality issues, or customer concerns. Having clear response plans for these situations can help minimize disruption and maintain trust. Your insurance agent can also be a valuable resource in helping you prepare for and respond to these events. 

Managing Risk as Your Team Grows 

As businesses grow and bring on new employees, exposure naturally increases. 

More people mean more variability in experience, training, and day-to-day decisions—especially in industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation, where the work itself carries greater risk. 

Having the right training approach is part of the solution. Making sure protection keeps pace with that growth is just as important. 

Regularly reviewing your business's insurance coverage can help ensure you’re prepared for the realities of a changing workforce. 

Build Safer Habits Early 

Don’t blame an incident on carelessness. Newer employees are at increased risk of causing an incident because they’re new, not careless. 

That early period—when everything is fresh—is where the greatest opportunity exists to build good habits that last. 

Businesses that recognize this tend to see better outcomes over time—not just fewer incidents, but stronger, more confident teams. 

Protect Your Team as You Grow 

As your workforce grows, so does your responsibility to keep employees safe and supported. 

Acuity offers insurance coverage designed to support businesses as they hire and train new employees, helping them manage risk and protect both their team and their operations. 

Learn more about coverage options here.

Sources

¹U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Data

²U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Injury and Illness Rates by Industry 

Author: Emma L.