"An information bulletin has been compiled based on the results of the incident investigation." This phrase is familiar to every HSE professional. Such information sheets, written in dry bureaucratic language, are an effective tool for informing, but a weak one for influencing behavior. They deliver facts to the mind, but not to the heart. As a result, employees know about the incident, but do not feel personal involvement or risk.
Our company found a way to bridge this gap. We launched a video series called "Matter of Chance," which radically changed our approach to HSE communications and allowed us not just to inform, but to shape a conscious attitude towards safety.
From fact to emotion: the philosophy of the "Matter of Chance" project.
The main idea of the project is real stories of real people. Our heroes are colleagues who have been injured or have violated cardinal rules. We do not judge; instead, we give them the opportunity to share their personal experience, turning a negative event into a powerful learning resource for the entire organization.
Each episode is not just a recorded Q&A session, but a carefully planned story.
The hero reconstructs the chain of events leading up to the incident in detail, step by step. The focus is on the preconditions — those very "minor" deviations and habits that ultimately formed a tragic picture.
The employee describes the exact moment of the incident and shares their feelings and emotions. These revelations have a profound impact on the audience.
Many talk about their physical and emotional losses: rehabilitation, their family's distress, and feelings of guilt. This makes the risk tangible.
The finale of the story is bright and constructive. The hero answers the main questions: "What did I realize?", "How has my attitude towards safety changed?", "What advice would I give to my colleagues?". This is the key moment that reinforces the right mindset.
Such stories affect the subconscious, making employees think about the consequences before taking a risky action.
The video format, distributed through corporate media and broadcast at meetings, guarantees high reach and better information retention compared to text documents.
Participating in the filming is a voluntary decision by the employees, whom we recognize at corporate Safety Days. The openness and willingness to discuss difficult topics demonstrate that the company truly cares about its people, rather than just reporting on KPIs. This strengthens corporate spirit and loyalty.