Page 47 - MetalForming March 2014

formance and reducing accidents.
Effective Safety Meetings Will Prevent Accidents
Safety meetings are intended to inform employees of your company’s prescribed safety procedures, and to encourage them to embrace safe work practices. Meetings consisting of employees sitting and watching a safe- ty DVD or PowerPoint presentation are not uncommon. While the success of a safety meeting can be greatly enhanced by skillful use of visual elements to support an oral message, the meeting should never consist solely of a DVD or PowerPoint presentation.
Planning the Meeting—When plan- ning a safety meeting, set an objective by asking: “Why am I making this presen- tation and what do I want to accom- plish?” By reviewing accident records, you can identify and address areas with- in your business where safety processes need improvement. This can help you choose a pertinent safety topic that can be discussed at your next safety meeting.
Next, analyze your audience. Is the meeting intended for management, office personnel, sales representatives or service or production workers? Depending on the topic, you may need to educate only one area within the company. An example would be a pres- entation on back safety intended sole- ly for shipping and receiving staff.
Lastly, select presentation aids to help supplement your presentation visually. An audience can better com- prehend the material when they have a direct experience.
Use Visuals to Help Communicate Your Message—Audience retention of your presentation material increases greatly when your message incorpo- rates appropriate visual aids. Attain even higher retention by allowing meeting attendees to participate, by performing some relevant activity in connection to the topic. Examples include a hands-on demonstration, a written quiz or feedback from employ- ees. Materials that reinforce the safety message visually are crucial. These can include DVDs, PowerPoint presenta-
tions, live demonstrations, pictures and printed handouts.
Conducting the Safety Meeting— The most effective safety meetings are short and to the point and easily under- stood by the entire audience, while incorporating a variety of presentation aids. To maximize the audience’s com- prehension of the material, cover only one safety topic.
If a session takes longer than 30 min., break the meeting into multiple segments. Encourage employees to ask questions and provide feedback. To begin this audience interaction, ask an employee to share a personal experi- ence related to the topic. Keep the con- versation friendly and don’t start a debate. If someone makes a critical statement during your presentation, accept it as an alternative point of view.
Near the end of the meeting, con- duct a question/answer session prior to recapping the meeting.
Consider quizzing employees to ensure they’ve comprehended the material. And, always give employees information to take with them, such as a handout.
Follow-up to a Safety Meeting— The safety coordinator for your facility should continually remind employees of previous safety meetings and topics covered. A handout similar to the hand- out provided at your safety meeting should be distributed to employees a couple of weeks after the safety meet- ing. This handout most often consists of an outline of achievements and future plans as it relates to that meet- ing’s safety topic.
Posting charts or graphs that track progress will further reinforce your company’s goals. Hang safety signs and posters around your facility to remind employees of pertinent safety mes- sages. And, lastly, schedule follow-up training sessions to reinforce safe work- ing practices. MF
Article provided by Sentry Insurance, a Mutual Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively SIAMCO) with the understanding that SIAMCO is not engaged in the practice of law nor is it rendering legal advice.

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