Effective Communication Bureau of Workers Compensation PA Training

Effective Communication Bureau of Workers’ Compensation PA Training for Health & Safety (PATHS) PPT-092 -01 1

Communication Plan The elements of an effective communication plan should include a clearly defined: • Receiver • Message • Communication process • Timeframe • Evaluative process PPT-092 -01 2

Communication Process PPT-092 -01 3

Communications Process Sender Experience Attitudes Skills Perceptions Message/ Medium Verbal/nonwritten Email Web Pictures PPT-092 -01 Receiver Experience Attitudes Skills Perceptions 4

Communication Process Input Feedback Personality/Style Climate View of others/self Complainant’s behavior Communication skills How well you handle feedback PPT-092 -01 5

Realities of Communication Four Important Realities: Ø Communication is the main way we exchange idea, needs and beliefs and get things done. Ø Miscommunication is more prevalent than good communication. Ø Communication is more psychological than anything; “how” you say something accounts for 80% of the meaning and impact. Ø The best way to get good results in anything is to improve your style of communication. PPT-092 -01 6

Effective Communication Why it Matters… Failure to communicate safety information effectively can have serious negative consequences: - Incidents, injuries, and illness Lost workdays Reduced productivity and delays Risk-taking by employees Inability to comply with regulations Higher workers’ compensation and health insurance costs PPT-092 -01 7

Safety Communication The main objective of any workplace safety communication or program is to change behavior. ? ? ? How does a safety committee change attitudes toward safety or improve the way people work? PPT-092 -01 8

Betari Box Model MY ATTITUDE AFFECTS MY BEHAVIOR YOUR BEHAVIOR AFFECTS YOUR ATTITUDE PPT-092 -01 9

The A’s of safety • Attitudes • Acknowledge • Awareness • Assist • Action • Appreciate • Accountability • Approve PPT-092 -01 10

Safety Culture • A mind set • An attitude • Safety messages must be designed into every aspect of the company • Must be the company’s vision – a value for all employees PPT-092 -01 11

Challenges 1. Attitudes 2. Communication 3. Competing Priorities 4. Employee Buy-In 5. Creating Safety Awareness PPT-092 -01 12

Communication Process Four separate groups of workers seek information differently based on their perceived risk: § Responsive individuals § Avoidant individuals § Proactive individuals § Indifferent individuals PPT-092 -01 13

Communication Process • It won’t happen to me! • I’ve been doing this job for 15 years … • I’m CAREFUL! • I don’t want to get (someone) in trouble! PPT-092 -01 14

Communication • Convey your ideas • Discuss concerns or objections • Share important criteria and priorities • Indicate how change will benefit this individual • Present solutions that contain your priorities and those of the individual you are influencing PPT-092 -01 15

Communication Process • Effective communication increases motivation • The more people a “communication” goes through, the more distorted it becomes • Effective communication reaches the heart as well as the mind • Use it or lose it PPT-092 -01 16

Communication “The danger in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished. ” - George Bernard Shaw PPT-092 -01 17

Understanding What is Said Even the most seasoned has trouble coping with the ambiguities. The struggle to understand is carried out relentlessly by the most conscientious. PPT-092 -01 18

Communication Process “Nothing is so simple it cannot be misunderstood. ” - Freeman Teague PPT-092 -01 19

Keys to Communication 1. Interactive 2. Informative 3. Positive 4. Productive PPT-092 -01 20

Safety Messages How to Communicate Workplace Safety Messages: • Plan your safety messages like a mini advertising campaign • Get personal • Consistent, clear messaging (includes branding) • The consequences of poor safety • Multiple message placement PPT-092 -01 21

Safety Messages How to get employees engaged in your workplace safety message • Watching it (training videos) • Hearing it (discussion and feedback on safety issues) • Reading it (posters, email, newsletter) PPT-092 -01 22

Communication Tips § Use more Visuals § Tell Stories § Lead by Values § Use Positive Language § Involve Senior Management § Keep it Simple § Ask more why Questions PPT-092 -01 23

Safety Communication • Ergonomics • Employee suggestions • Back Safety • Wellness programs • Fire Safety • Workplace Violence • Electrical Safety • Incident Investigations • Slips, Trips and Falls • Emergency Preparedness PPT-092 -01 24

Communication Objectives should be: SMART • S Specific • M Measurable • A Attainable • R Relevant • T Time-bound PPT-092 -01 25

Safety Culture • Consideration to the prevention of injury to self and coworkers • Continual improvement is the goal • Involvement and thinking of all people in the safety process PPT-092 -01 26

Getting the Message Across • Decide what your messages will be. • Understand clearly whom the message is for. • Consider using several different ways to communicate the same message. • Select the best option for your audience. PPT-092 -01 27

Getting the Message Across • Consider who should deliver it, and what credibility they have – a good message badly delivered is lost. • Consider whether the communication was effective. • Plan your method of evaluating success before delivering the communication activity. • To communicate effectively, keep it simple. PPT-092 -01 28

Effective Safety Messages • The secret to developing highly successful safety communication is to use marketing-based tactics. • Treating safety messages as a mini-marketing campaign will provide better safety performance, communication and camaraderie in the workplace. PPT-092 -01 29

Contact Information Health & Safety Training Specialists 1171 South Cameron Street, Room 324 Harrisburg, PA 17104 -2501 (717) 772 -1635 RA-LI-BWC-PATHS@pa. gov Like us on Facebook! https: //www. facebook. com/BWCPATHS PPT-092 -01 30

Questions PPT-092 -01 31