Episode 210 - Jean Ndana - Making New Hire Safety Orientation Fun and Exciting

This episode features Jean Ndana, who joins Dr. Ayers to explore how safety leaders can transform new hire safety orientation from a dull, check‑the‑box requirement into an engaging, memorable, and motivating experience. Ndana argues that when orientation is exciting and human‑centered, new employees connect with safety on day one — and that connection shapes their long‑term behavior.

  🧠 Key Themes 1. Engagement Beats Information Dumping

Ndana emphasizes that most orientations fail because they overwhelm new hires with rules, slides, and jargon. He encourages safety pros to:

• Tell stories

• Use real examples

• Make the content relatable

• Create emotional connection

Engagement drives retention.

  2. Make Safety Personal

New hires respond better when they understand:

• Why safety matters

• How it protects them

• How it affects their families

• How it shapes their success at work

Personal relevance turns safety from a requirement into a value.

  3. Use Energy, Humor, and Interaction

Ndana advocates for:

• Humor

• Hands‑on demonstrations

• Interactive discussions

• Movement instead of sitting

• Showing real equipment and real hazards

Energy creates memory — and memory creates safer behavior.

  4. Orientation Sets the Tone for Culture

The first day is a culture‑defining moment. A fun, engaging orientation communicates:

• “We care about you.”

• “Safety matters here.”

• “You’re part of something important.”

This builds trust and commitment early.

  🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Orientation is your first chance to shape safety culture — make it count.

• Engagement, not information overload, drives retention.

• Energy, humor, and interaction make safety memorable.

• A great orientation builds trust and sets expectations for the long haul.