Why You Should Use Videos for Safety Training

This technology can provide more benefits than lectures and other traditional models.

• By Ronie Salazar
• Feb 16, 2023

Safety training is a crucial aspect of any workplace, as it helps ensure the well-being of employees and the overall success of a business. However, traditional methods of safety training, such as lectures and written materials, can be dry and disengaging. This is where videos come in. Video-based safety training has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers a more interactive and dynamic way to educate employees on workplace safety. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of using videos for safety training and provide insights into creating effective video-based safety training programs.

Advantages of Using Videos for Safety Training

Increased engagement and retention. Using videos for safety training can significantly improve employee engagement and retention. Videos provide a more engaging and interactive way of presenting information, helping employees to better understand and remember safety protocols. The visual and auditory elements of videos can help employees connect with the content and retain it more effectively.

Consistency in message delivery. As a leader, effective communication is crucial. Consistency in message delivery is especially important, and videos can help achieve this by allowing employers to deliver the same message consistently across multiple locations and to all employees. This ensures that everyone receives the same training and understands the same safety protocols, regardless of their location or department.

Cost-effectiveness and scalability. Video-based safety training can be a cost-effective and scalable solution. Creating videos can be a one-time expense and can be used for multiple training sessions. Videos can be easily distributed to large groups of employees, making it a scalable solution that can be used to train new employees, contractors, and visitors.

Improved accessibility and flexibility. Videos can be accessed online, making them more accessible to remote workers or those who missed the initial training. Employees can watch videos at their own pace and on their own schedule, providing greater flexibility. This is particularly useful for shift workers, employees in different time zones or those with busy schedules.

Enhanced real-world visualization and scenario-based learning. Videos can demonstrate real-world situations and allow employees to visualize potential hazards and safety protocols. Scenario-based learning in videos can help employees practice identifying and responding to safety hazards. This approach can help employees prepare for real-life situations, and provide a more immersive learning experience.

Remote worker’s access. Video-based safety training has become increasingly important for organizations with remote workers, as it offers several advantages over traditional training methods. Videos can be easily accessed and viewed by remote workers, regardless of their location or time zone, making it an ideal training solution for distributed teams. Additionally, videos can help ensure consistency in message delivery across different locations and reduce the need for in-person training, which can be time-consuming and costly. Overall, video-based safety training provides a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective way to deliver important safety information to both on-site and remote workers.

Best Practices for Creating Effective Safety Training Videos

While video-based safety training has many advantages, creating effective videos is key to their success. Here are some best practices for creating engaging and effective safety training videos:

1. Keep it short and focused. To maintain employee attention, it's important to keep safety training videos short and focused. Aim for videos that are no longer than 10-15 minutes, and break up longer topics into shorter segments.
2. Use a conversational tone. Use a conversational tone when creating safety training videos to help employees connect with the material. Avoid overly technical or formal language, and try to make the content relatable to employees.
3. Include interactive elements. To keep employees engaged, include interactive elements such as quizzes, games or scenario-based exercises. This can help employees retain information and apply it in real-life situations.
4. Use high-quality production values. Incorporating high-quality production values in safety training videos can significantly enhance their effectiveness. To achieve this, consider investing in quality equipment such as a high-definition camera and microphone, and using professional editing software to produce polished videos. Additionally, using a video compressor can help maintain the video's quality when uploaded to different platforms. By learning how to compress a video, you can ensure your safety training videos maintain their high-quality while being easily accessible across multiple platforms.
5. Communicate clearly. Clear communication is essential in safety training videos. Use visual aids, such as diagrams or animations, to illustrate key points and make the content more accessible to employees.
6. Incorporate employee feedback. To improve the effectiveness of safety training videos, incorporate employee feedback into the production process. Conduct surveys or focus groups to gather feedback on what worked well and what could be improved, and use that feedback to refine future videos.

Samples of Safety Training Videos

Safety Attitudes at Work

Safety Officer - roles and responsibilities - Safety Training

Toolbox Talk - Hazard Assessment

Conclusion

Safety training is crucial in any workplace, and video-based safety training has proven to be an effective and engaging way to deliver important safety information to employees. By using videos for safety training, employers can improve engagement and retention, ensure consistency in message delivery, reduce costs and enhance accessibility and flexibility.

To create effective safety training videos, it's important to follow best practices such as keeping videos short, using a conversational tone, including interactive elements, using high-quality production values, communicating clearly and incorporating employee feedback.

If you haven't yet implemented video-based safety training in your workplace, consider doing so. By investing in safety training videos, you can improve the safety of your workplace and help prevent accidents and injuries.