Which story is more appealing to you and why?

Story 1
In the past few years our company suffered an increase in road traffic accidents. Last year we recorded 30% more injuries because of overspeeding and driving under influence. 
Road traffic accidents are bad for company reputation and can negatively affect our shareholders. They can also lead to audits from authorities and fines if something wrong is identified.  
That is why starting this year we introduce mandatory alcohol screening and speed control for all vehicles. Consuming alcohol and overspeeding is illegal, and it is the duty of our company and of every driver to ensure compliance. 


Story 2 
When I was 7 years old, my father was nearly killed in a traffic accident. He had a few beers after work with his friends, and he was probably overspeeding. Someone started crossing the road, and my dad did not notice him in time. He managed to avoid the collision but ended up in the ditch. He spent six months in the hospital after that.
As a child, I was very scared for him, and very relieved when he got out of the hospital. He is 70 years old now, and he still drives a car sometimes… but since that incident, he is always very safe at the wheel. 

Seven of our drivers have received injuries last year when driving. I talked to their families - some also have children, some have elderly parents to take care of. I am sure all of you can imagine their feelings. 

And I know that our company can do better than that. We can implement better controls, and we can educate people to prevent those incidents. That is why starting this year we introduce mandatory alcohol screening and speed control for all vehicles. I expect your understanding and support of the new rules. 


What do you think? 


And here is what I think. Both stories had one thing in common: new safety rules were being introduced for drivers. 

The difference was in how the rule was presented. Any presentation or explanation is a story! (some are very boring stories though) 

Features of an interesting story are:
- Familiarity 
- Simplicity 
- Relatability
- Immersion
- Drama 
And for the safety stories I would add: 
- Take-home message
And remove:
- Preaching and threatening.  

Now look at both stories. 

Familiarity: everybody was a kid and most people have families… but not everybody interacts with shareholders and authorities. 

Simplicity: one can imagine seven injured drivers… it is much harder to imagine a 30% increase in injuries.

Relatability: feelings of a worried child whose father is in the hospital… or feelings of a worried businessman who is about to be audited? Both can be relatable in different contexts, but the second option can leave a wrong impression!     

Immersion: giving enough details (beers after work, someone crossing the road, ending up in a ditch) will help the audience to “live in the story”. 

Drama: the father gets better, and everyone is relieved. Now it is time for the resolution - let’s introduce the new rules and avoid those incidents in the future. 

Take-home message: following safety rules at work and in personal life is important for you and your family. 

No preaching / threatening: when the story is good, you don’t need to say your “take-home message” out loud. 
The best stories allow the audience to make their own conclusion. 


WHAT MAKES A GOOD SAFETY STORY


I was recently watching a renovation show and was thinking about the lack of safety that goes on with the contractors. Even the basics - why aren't they wearing safety glasses when they are knocking out bricks?

Another example: They were cutting concrete walls with a powered saw. There was literally a cloud of dust around this man and he did not even have a respirator on. HELLO, Silica? Ever heard of it? Why isn't anyone telling this man that silica is a carcinogen and an awesome control method for that risk is using wet methods? It would make his job so much safer!

Next: Hi, hello! That is popcorn ceiling. This house was built in 1972. We are supposed to presume any suspect materials in houses built before 1981 as asbestos-containing, and popcorn ceiling is suspect! They should have gotten that tested before making it friable and airborne ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Come on now! You are potentially causing harm to others that enter the house. These people need more training for renovations.

Last: The realtor came in to look at the house renovation with her hard hat on the wrong way. She was talking to a contractor that had his on the right way - why didn't he tell her that it isn't the proper way to wear her hard hat? We should normalize informing other people of when we see something unsafe, we should say something. See something, say something!

Be on the lookout next time you watch renovation shows. I bet you can spot at least 3 safety hazards! Make it a fun game with your safety friends!

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Quin Bond

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SAFETY STORY

Renovation Show Safety