Effective communication is a vital part of maintaining a safe work environment.  It doesn’t matter whether you typically work alone or in groups on a daily basis, there will always be a time that communication is required with others.  Making that exchange as effective and complete as possible builds teamwork and improves safety.

Communication of Actions

Communicating actions and intentions helps keep everyone on the same page so they can work safely together.  Laying out a plan of action at the start allows each person to work effectively from the outset.  In the same way, communicating changes or issues everyone should be aware of keeps each person engaged and moving in the same direction.

Communication of Hazards

By communicating potential hazards to supervisors or the proper person, you allow a possible problem to be addressed and fixed before it causes an injury to you, a co-worker, or a customer.  When communicating about hazards, it’s important to be clear on what the possible danger is.  Follow up if needed to be sure that a solution is reached.

Never keep quite when it comes to safety.  Communicating potential hazards and important details to the right people keeps you and everyone else safe!

Be proactive – it’s better to talk about an issue before it becomes a safety hazard rather than after.