ENHANCING SAFETY CULTURE THROUGH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Safety communication comes in varying forms including policies and procedures, performance statistics, hazard and incident reports, workplace inductions, risk assessments, and training. Effective communication mechanisms are critical to engage staff in safety activities, to gain cooperation and support, and to maintain a positive safety culture. These mechanisms need to complement the practical and technical safety strategies. Clear and constructive safety communication can improve knowledge and understanding that prevents at-risk behaviours and enhances safe work practices. A case study is used to illustrate how an organisation responded to a decrease in injury performance with a variety of safety communication techniques.