This week, Primeau Productions would like to have a serious discussion about videos and safety. We will start with a simple fact about total video production for 2024: more than 20% of all videos made were for worker training purposes.
Now for the serious stuff
The latest safety statistics for South Carolina businesses, based on year-end 2023 showed 30,100 injuries, 112 fatalities and according the BLS (Bureau of Labor) about 9,300 injuries in the government sector.
By “injury” we are not talking about the office manager twisting her ankle at the Christmas office party, we are talking about serious injuries and hospitalizations with insurance payments and disabilities.
The industries in order of injuries include: Construction, Manufacturing, Mines and Quarries, Wholesale and Retail, Accommodation (Hotels) and Food Service.
In the State of Georgia, where we also produce video, the relative percentages in all of the above categories were higher – tragically, with 192 fatalities and also in excess of 30,000 serious workplace injuries.
In terms of serious injuries, the greatest percentages belong to the category of “slips, trips and falls,” as well as back injuries. Most of these injuries were avoidable. Not surprising, many of the injuries in the transportation arena were due to drug and alcohol abuse.
Training and safety videos, not safety posters or boring classes, help companies reduce workplace injuries. Videos can range from production videos in food processing facilities to correct harness use in construction jobs.
Videos are evergreen and flexible
Safety videos are meant to be flexible in terms of time and place of usage and, of course, they can be seen over and over again, such as with new employee orientation or for review purposes. A video can always reinforce a safety message or serve as a touchstone no matter who is supervising a job, running the assembly line or training inexperienced workers.
Video, of course, can be dubbed over to many languages, or updated to bring in special effects, new products or procedures.
As with all types of videos, safety videos have a higher recall among users, they are engaging and interactive and best of all they are efficient because the information sticks with the viewer.
Video can also be localized, of course. Primeau Productions can tailor the video to any setting or company or location.
According to OSHA (February 6, 2023) there are at least 7 reasons for the effectiveness of safety videos:
- Your employees will better retain the information they see.
- Safety videos are cost effective.
- Safety videos will consistently deliver your message – not matter the message.
- Safety videos can fit easily into any worker’s schedule and are easily accessible.
- Safety videos can create stories around worker interaction whether on topics such as bullying or proper equipment usage.
- Anyone, anywhere can access the safety video.
- Video is the ultimate communication tool.
You have one important message
At the end of the day, you want your employees to see the end of the day. We are not being flippant. Safety videos help you to accomplish that goal. Your safety message may save a life or a serious injury. Primeau Productions takes such a responsibility seriously. Let us partner with you in that goal.