601 Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health

Safety Communications

Effective communication is essential for a successful program. Everyone with a stake in worker health should have knowledge of what is being done and why it's important to them and their co-workers. Management should also provide periodic updates to employees and needs to keep the program visible through data-driven reports.

Content vs. Relationship Communications

An important concept in communications is the Two-Level Theory, which states that in any communications, process messages are sent and received on two levels.

• Content Level - What is said. The first level is called the content level and describes the "data" that is being sent. The only information transferred at this level is data, usually in the form of informal spoken words or formal written material.
• Relationship Level - How it is said. The second level of communication is a little more abstract. I has a greater impact on those who receive the message. It's called the relationship level, which describes the communication that establishes the relationship between the sender and the receiver. It is how the message is sent that sets up the relationship. Relationships between the sender and receiver are always established with every communication. Generally the tone of voice and body language combine to set up relationships.

It's important to know that a person will be more affected by how you say something (relationship level communication), for instance, the tone of your voice than by what you say (content level communication).

If you are a safety committee representative, think about the relationship set up between you and your co-workers. What happens when you receive their concerns and suggestions, report them to the safety committee, but fail to provide feedback in a timely manner? Aren't you ignoring them? That's the worst of all possible responses. Make sure you get back with your co-workers as soon as possible to let them know the status of their concerns or suggestions. This is probably your most important job as a safety committee representative.

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