"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
-George Bernard Shaw
Communication is an essential, and often overlooked, area of a workplace safety policy.
By effectively communicating workplace safety ideals, potential hazards and emergency planning to employees, the company is providing employees with a wider sense of their work environment. This contributes to increased safety awareness and fewer injuries and accidents.
Communicating safety to employees means doing so in a way that is understandable by all workers. This may mean translating into a language that your workers understand, or communicating verbally to employees. Research shows that workers prefer to hear important safety information verbally from their direct supervisor, likely because the supervisor is also in charge of their productivity. This removes the safety-versus -productivity conflict.
Safety communication should be kept simple, as too many details will bog down the message and even cause it to be ignored. More information should be offered and made available for those who seek it.
Tips to Improve Safety Communication
• Regular employee meetings at which workers are encouraged to discuss safety openly and honestly.
• An anonymous suggestion box
• Include in new employee orientation
• Posters and bulletins from public service agencies
• Incorporate safety into the company newsletter
• Periodically distribute copies of the company safety policy to employees
• Develop a health and safety notice board to display latest news and important safety information
• Display safety procedures and hazard controls prominently throughout the workplace
