A. K3 Communication Objectives
In order to ensure the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System, the Company needs to develop a communication system to support the implementation of a good Occupational Safety and Health Management System in the workplace.
Communication includes internal communication between departments and among departments within the Company’s organizational structure as well as external communication with other parties such as contractors, suppliers, visitors, guests and the wider community as well as third parties who collaborate with the Company in relation to K3 (Occupational Safety and Health).
The purpose of communication in implementing K3 is as follows.
- Anticipate ignorance, misunderstandings and problems within the organization.
- Forms of company participation in the K3 management system.
- All personnel within the company support the implementation of K3
B. Effective OSH Communication
Communication makes people, tasks, processes and systems interact together to achieve the set K3 targets. The way we communicate K3 will influence whether people will understand and engage in the K3 process or not, and the language we use often determines whether the process is accepted or rejected. Just providing training to employees to work safely may not be enough. Motivation and forms of publication are needed to encourage them to take responsibility for their own safety and health. The method used is to create an atmosphere that promotes safe behavior, and reminds and emphasizes the importance of this for employees and the company.
The process of communication is like traffic on the highway. You need to plan where you are going, pay attention to the signs and take another route if necessary, behave according to the conditions and slow down if necessary. The meaning of communication is not only according to what the sender thinks – it also depends on the response of the recipient. It takes time and effort to have the perfect technique in conveying OSH messages effectively.
a. Language and words
The choice of language and words is very, very influential on the results of K3 communication. The choice of ‘positive’ words can give different responses, for example:
| Negative Phrases | Positive Phrases |
| What’s the problem?
you should…. You don’t understand I’ve told you before not to… This is costly |
How can I help you?
From now on…or next time Let me try one more time How about trying this way This is an investment for health |
Feedback can be positive or negative, and can influence the quality and frequency of behavior. Effective feedback is a valuable tool for influencing safe behavior in the workplace. Language that has ambiguous or subjective meaning can be counter-productive. For example, the statement “You seem unaware, careless or careless” only increases hatred or resentment and reduces the acceptability of the behavioral message conveyed. Saying that an incident or injury was “bad luck” implies that the incident could not have been prevented. This goes against the philosophy that incidents can be prevented.
b. Complaints and criticism
We may be faced with resistance to change in terms of work practices or adopting new procedures. The following expressions indicate this right:
- I’ve been doing this since horse years and everything is fine
- It won’t hit me
- We’ve done it before
- Accidents do have to happen
- It won’t work
- There are more important things to do
- They don’t allow it
- I’m too busy to do that
- You don’t understand
- Outside my budget
- Safety is just a fad
No one likes negative criticism and some people are more sensitive than others. When discussing mistakes or unsafe work practices, people will easily make excuses, so communicate the topic by pointing out the mistake and suggesting ways to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Basic communication tips
- Think before you speak. Say what you mean and interpret exactly what you say.
- Use body language. Body language and voice intonation can influence the effectiveness of communication.
- Speak directly compared to using e-mail, especially for sensitive matters or personal conflicts.
- Make it concise. Use language that is understandable and polite.
- Give support. Risky behavior (such as incorrect lifting) should be followed by immediate corrective action to stop and prevent recurrence.
- Re-emphasize the message. Remind employees to behave safely in the future.
- Give appreciation, support and congratulations.
- Give an example. Bad behavior will be imitated, it is considered the right thing to do.