Using Video To Communicate Workplace Safety

More than ever before, occupational health and safety has become a major priority in almost every Australian workplace. It has become the mantra for many government-advertising campaigns that “every employee has the right to return home safely” and how “ it is the responsibility of both employers and employees to ensure a safe workplace”.

Organisations must, by law, ensure that their employees are adequately trained to perform at their job in the safest way possible and that particular occupational health and safety policies are adhered to.

Depending on the organisation, the employees involved, the information that is to be communicated – there is a multitude of different communication pathways that can be taken to deliver a message of workplace safety. It can be as simple as an OHS trainer standing in front of a group, or perhaps a group discussion, or role play.  Technology such as powerpoint, video or e-learning programs can be used as either the main training tool or as an aid to reinforce the spoken message.

Unfortunately, a topic such as workplace safety can quite often fall on deaf ears.  For some people, the thought of discussing manual handling risks or reporting near misses with a manager or colleagues would be about as exciting as watching paint dry. In many cases, it may take a serious injury or fatality, to ultimately alter the mindset of an individual or even the culture of an organisation.

However, incorporating video into a training session on safety can provide a range of benefits. These include:

1. Continuity of the message – Whether it is the induction of new staff, or conducting refresher training for existing employees, using video to deliver the message will ensure that every trainee receives exactly the same message, the same way. That way everyone is on the “same page”, which is an important component to an organisation’s ability to to comply with legislation and achieve a health and safe environment.

2. A picture tells a thousand words. In most instances, video can deliver a message far more efficiently and effectively than the spoken word alone, especially when trying to describe a particular action or technique.  Time is a precious commodity nowadays. Any opportunity to communicate a message more efficiently will always have a positive effect on the workplace.

3. Most importantly, video does an excellent job of conveying emotion. If the intention is to send home a message of great importance, the ability to tap into people’s emotions can be an excellent strategy. A message or idea is more likely to be remembered if it has impact. As witnessed now on many TV advertising campaigns – whether it be for safety at work, anti smoking, or safe driving – “shock value” is an approach used to not only ensure the audience receives the message, but it sneaks its way into their subconscious.

Whilst video enjoys a number of benefits in communicating safety, it is still important to realise the target audience and the actual content of the video itself. Is it relevant? Will it connect with the target audience? Does it suit the rest of the training/course material?  Does it sell the message?

If you can produce or find a video that ticks all these boxes, we suggest you have just found yourself and your workplace a great investment!

Workplace Safety Hazards

Canada has a very long history of workers struggling for their rights and it is actually stupid not to use the results of their struggle. The employee is guarded by a number of employment laws and Acts that aim to prevent injuries and provide benefits to people who were injured. For example the Canadian Workplace Safety and Insurance Act S.O. 1997, c. 16, Sch. A., (also known as ‘Worker’s Compensation’) regulates the no-fault plan that provides benefits for the people injured in the workplace, when there is no side to cover the compensation. The Occupational Health and Safety Act covers the standards of workplace safety, investigations and punishment of the safety breach. And the Criminal Code has laws that can be used to sue person who is responsible for the injury or accident. So as you see a worker in Canada is very well protected.

Safety of workplaces itself is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O-1. This act obligates Canadian employers to keep the workplaces safe. It ensures that all required equipment and protective devices are provided and properly maintained; that required safety and emergency procedures are in place and followed; that equipment and materials are properly used; and that workers receive sufficient information, instruction, training (additional training) and supervision to carry out their jobs safely. From the other side it also obliges the workers not to operate any equipment in a manner that is unsafe, not to operate the devices without prescribed safety wear for example. The act also states that ant worker in Canada can refuse to work with dangerous materials or do a dangerous work. The fact of refusal must be immediately reported and the cause of danger must be inspected.

The Canadian Workplace Safety and Insurance Act guarantees compensation to all workers injured during the working process, but it still has a number of conditions and limitations. First the status of the worker. The act covers only a worker who is under a contract of employment; independent contractors, self-employed workers, or workers whose employment is on a casual basis are generally not insured by the Act. The compensation is available for injuries suffered instantly or gained during the course of employment (chronic pain, environment-related diseases). It is important to remember that stress is not covered under this Act. The worker must submit the claim 6 months of an accident and it is also very important to be careful with the medical documents and bills, they will be required in case of a trial, that falls within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Criminal Code secures the rights of the injured worker after the accident occurred, it guarantees the fact that the person who is responsible for the accident will be brought to justice. It also has an additional effect: it lays additional responsibility on the person who has the authority to direct how work is performed, so the person is interested in keeping the work process secure and avoid any accidents.

A small taste of the most unusual workplace safety training video ever produced… A Reaper’s Guide to OHS. This 4 minute scene can be shown as an icebreaker for any workplace safety training session. The complete 19 minute version, whilst entertaining and engaging, it provides a general overview of occupational health and safety. More information available at www.channel1.com.au