Using a video for your worksite safety induction might appear the perfect solution – it’s visually engaging, straightforward to operate and comes in one neat package – what’s not to love?  Well, quite a lot actually… here’s three reasons we think you should avoid using a video as your worksite induction.

1/ A video isn’t easy to update…

It’s critical your worksite safety induction presents the worksite as it currently looks – there’s no point sharing detailed information about the worksite as it was five years ago.  Yet this is probably the biggest flaw with video – as soon as it’s made – it starts to become out of date.

Worksites change all the time.  There are the big changes, for example, a change of layout or an extension to a depot.  Then there are the smaller changes, a new poster, a gradual build-up of waste materials, a new coffee machine – the minor things no one really notices.  But big or small, all changes contribute to a gradually evolving visual environment which can start to look very different over time.

Creating a professional video – along with a presenter – tends to be a one-off financial hit.  You might spend around 15-20K shooting it – and create a polished induction – but then can’t update it because even the littlest change would involve getting everyone back on site to film again at a high cost.

However, you need to be confident that new visitors entering your site know how to safely navigate their way around – and if the induction is visually out of date – visitors will be digesting incorrect information which could impact on safety.

2/ Video content isn’t layered

Unlike online content, a video can’t be ‘information layered’ – you can’t adjust the content depending on the viewer.  For example, a visitor just wanting to see the welfare facilities won’t need to understand the detailed procedure for clocking in and out of the main worksite.  Sharing that video content would only waste time and possibly cause them to ‘switch off’ altogether.  In contrast, a new employee must see the whole site.  Ideally inductions would be able to adjust the level of content according to the visitor – but with video this just isn’t an option.

An online worksite induction created using different media – imagery, video clips, text – can layer the information and only deliver the layer which suits the viewer.  Increasing both induction efficiency and engagement.

3/ Video is all one-way traffic

When was the last time a video asked you to enter your details?!  Probably never – because it’s not possible for a video to capture data – it can only present information – not collect it.  In contrast, an online worksite induction can present information and capture it in equal measure – furnishing the viewer with worksite knowledge and the induction administrator with critical visitor information.

So, should we be using video for worksite inductions at all?

Yes – but treat it like a media asset, such as an illustration, schematic or image etc.  Use parts of the video and insert them into your induction – but at all costs avoid using one complete video as your entire induction programme – otherwise you’ll watch it ageing almost as soon as it’s created!