Communication in Occupational Health and Safety

From Regulations to Brand: Why HSE Needs PR

Traditionally, the HSE function is perceived as supervisory and controlling: specialists write regulations, conduct inspections, and investigate incidents. However, as Alexander Ekimov, Director of Occupational Safety and Health at T Plus PJSC, notes, even the most perfect safety system will not work if employees do not know about it. In his presentation, the speaker examines why forming an internal HR brand in the field of occupational safety (HSE brand) is becoming critically important for modern companies.

The problem for many enterprises is that a huge amount of safety work remains invisible to the personnel. Employees start to believe in occupational safety only when they can "see and touch" it — through clear visualization of hazardous areas, high-quality and comfortable PPE, as well as regular and informal communications.

Annual Communications Plan: A Systematic Approach to Information

Instead of one-off campaigns, the speaker suggests implementing an annual plan of communication campaigns. This allows for systematic and focused work with various risks.

• Thematic periods: Every two months, the company focuses on a specific topic (e.g., electrical safety, work at height, traffic rules).
• Comprehensive delivery: Within the topic, not only orders are issued, but also clear training sessions, memos, posters, and videos.
• Minimum text, maximum visuals: Complex instructions are translated into infographics and simple "do/don't" rules.

This approach ensures a constant but unobtrusive informational presence of the safety topic in the life of every employee.

Engagement Through Non-Standard Formats

The presentation details the experience of using non-standard formats to engage personnel. Classic briefings often turn into formal reading from a sheet. To change this, interactive and memorable methods must be used.

• Quests and gamification: Conducting training events in a quest format (for example, using fire extinguishers or gas masks) helps employees gain practical skills in an interesting way.
• Interactive flash games: Digital simulations are effective for office employees, where they need to correctly choose the sequence of actions during an evacuation.
• Practical demonstrations: Involving the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) to demonstrate rescue from a height during training alarms clearly shows the seriousness of risks even in an office environment.

From Corporate Values to Golden Rules

Many companies declare safety as one of their key values. However, for this value to work, it must be decomposed down to the level of specific rules.

The speaker shows by example how this chain is built: from a general HSE policy to "golden rules" (for example, for working at height or using PPE). It is important that these rules are adapted for both production and office personnel. For example, the risk of falling from a height is relevant not only for installers but also for office employees using chairs instead of stepladders.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to make the work of the HSE department visible and meaningful for management and employees?
• How to develop and implement an effective annual HSE communications plan?
• Which non-standard training formats (quests, games, demonstrations) really work in practice?
• How to properly visualize safety rules so they are easily understood?
• How to link global corporate values with everyday rules of safe behavior?