The First Hour
When orientation is considered optional
David Chen arrived at the Edmonton warehouse at 6:00 AM sharp. First day. Fresh start. Ready to work.
The supervisor was running late. "Just start moving those pallets," another worker said, pointing to the loading dock. "We're behind schedule."
No one mentioned the dock plate. The 4-inch gap between the truck and the platform. The gap that experienced workers stepped over automatically. The gap that killed two people in Alberta warehouses last year.
David's right foot went through at 6:47 AM. The 800-pound pallet jack followed. His ankle shattered in four places. His screams echoed through the warehouse.
The First Hour Statistics:
40% of workplace accidents occur in the worker's first year
25% happen in the first 30 days
8% occur on the very first day
Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), 2024
David now walks with a permanent limp. He'll never run with his kids again. The warehouse operates the same way, waiting for the next David.
The Cost:
- • Medical & Rehabilitation: $450,000
- • WCB Premiums Increase: $380,000 (over 3 years)
- • Legal Settlement: $1.2 Million
- • WorkSafeBC Penalties: $275,000
- • Operational Disruption: $125,000
- • New Safety Equipment (mandated): $95,000
- • Reputation Damage: $675,000 in lost contracts
- Total: $3.2 Million
What 2 Hours of Orientation Would Have Covered:
- ✓ Warehouse hazard walkthrough
- ✓ Dock plate safety procedures
- ✓ Proper lifting techniques
- ✓ Emergency response locations
- ✓ Right to refuse unsafe work (Canadian law)
Orientation Cost: $47 (2 hours wages)
Cost of Skipping It: $3.2 Million
Every new worker who starts without orientation is a $3.2 million lottery ticket. Eventually, you lose.