Consultation

The importance of ensuring your staff understand not only their legal responsibilities but also specific company responsibilities has never been more important.

How we deliver the health and safety message can have a positive or even a negative impact on your audience. Do we really expect our own employees to see the importance of it if our attitude towards health and safety is negative, not thought provoking or doesn’t inspire our audience?

Finding the right methods to deliver the message for your business is key. Classroom training, on-line training, e/learning, tool box talk delivery, staff briefings or even the company induction are just a few to ways in which we can consult with our staff.

Some of you may already use a number of these which is delivered by your personally or by other colleagues. The question is….do they really listen?

For those of you that are not experienced or may lack confidence in delivering the health and safety message, here are a few tips:

Be excited by health and safety – if your approach is negative and you don’t particularly like the subject, it will be noticed.  

Plan your talk – don’t just read from the sheet. Maintain eye contact and make sure you understand the keys points you want to get across.

Ask open questions – seeking yes or no verification is not the best way to confirm if attendees to your talk understand the key points. Find out what they know and fill in the gaps if they are not sure.

Don’t rush – too many inductions are rushed as the person delivering it has a number of other work commitments that need attention. This is a great opportunity to reinforce the importance of health and safety to new staff members.

Blended learning – the best training combines information, discussions and interaction. Ensure your training delivery covers all of these (not matter what the subject is) as it is the best way for delegates to retain information. 

Set a program for delivery – planning a series of talks throughout the year provides structure and ensure you cover all the main topics. Of course, be flexible as additional topics may take precedent but at least you know you are in control.

Make it relevant – there is nothing more boring that having a discussion on a subject that isn’t relevant to your audience. They will be more engaged if there is something in it for them.

Involve different people to meetings – you will be surprised how much value there is when inviting different people to safety meetings. Fresh ideas and a valuable feedback on what’s good and what’s bad can not be under estimated. 

Stay safe!