After years of delivering countless site inductions to some willing and some not so willing construction teams, we thought it might be useful to share our tips, and actually remind ourselves of the good, the great and the not so great.
For the critics, this isn't a definitive list or things you must do, its just some helpful things that have worked for us in the past.
1. Get your content right before you start
Giving a little more thought to a site induction than just reading through a check list works wonders. We have seen (and sat through) inductions that have ranged from 3 mins - 7 hours. Some were relevant some were bonkers.
The truth is that the length of time really doesn't matter if the content and quality is right. We will be providing our guide tips to content shortly so stay tuned to the blog.
2. Start work with the induction
Remember that this induction is likely to be the tone which these guys will be starting work on site or finding out about a new stage of the site. This is really important to remember because it ties in with the old saying 'start as you mean to go on'.
If you are not clear, if there is any ambiguity, if people leave in any doubt about what to do, or what is expected you have probably got an uphill struggle to clear it up later on.
3. No Phones/ Tablets/ Papers/ Magazines in the room etc
Don't underestimate this rule, its difficult to discuss key topics with those participating if, there are world topics being debated, texting, facebook, or tweeting about being in a boring induction going on in the room.
The only time a tablet or phone should be discussed is when you are explaining how they will receive their
SAFETYBANK tasks and that is only
a 2 mins chat.
4. Signed in or zoned out
We all know its great to record an induction by getting signatures of all those who attend. What I have always found to be handy is to get this signed and back in front of you BEFORE you start going through the detail.
The danger is that between passing, reading, signing, checking whether any of your mates have signed 'mickey mouse' the team are missing something.
5. Have the correct PPE in the room
If you are going to tell someone about PPE requirements on site, make sure you have the right stuff in the room with you.
Visual examples are brilliant when reinforcing your description to the participants and usually opens some questions about the wonderful variations they have or want to be allowed to use. It means you can be clear and concise from the outset and it means that any questions get answered.
We have even used bad examples of PPE as part of the induction to demo what will NOT be accepted.
6. Be visual where possible
A BIG NO NO - is just telling people where they can find out this detail. People wont, despite what you might think, make their way over to the notice board as soon as you finish and go and find this out!
As explained above when talking about PPE try and use as many visual aids and examples as possible. This can be very useful if you dont use distinguishable stickers or clothing when identifying key people.
A photo to point out people such as first aiders, fire marshals, site managers etc or if you can bring them in an introduce them.
7. The point of safety is SAFETY
If you are going to talk about safety make sure thats what you stick to. Dont confuse the whole dynamic by talking about personality or your preferences unless you can give real examples of why this improves safety.
We have heard far too many people delivering an induction to telling people they dont like - this type of tool, that type of access equipment. Although you might not like it, and you are welcome to an opinion, share the real reasons with the site team otherwise it takes away the entire safety aspect of the exercise.
8. Explaining the site rules
Reading out site rules is a brilliant example of failing to explaining the site rules. Don't be confused by what this mean.
Us construction people can be innovative, imaginative thinking types and exploring new techniques for getting to where we need to, and this goes for inventing our own reasons for site rules and when they apply.
Explaining site rules is really important to get right in order to make sure the captive participants are joined together with you in upholding this important part of the work.
By all means tell the team a rule but ALWAYS follow up with why it is in place. If you don't they may think you haven't thought about it (it really is through experience that this was learned when delivering for a contractor).
For example: If you have a rule about using mobile phones, explain why, whats the penalty if they break the rule, and tell them where they can go to use their phone.
If its no smoking on site, why is it no smoking, what can happen when you do smoke and what can be enjoyed by those caught breaking it.
If you have given good reason for it, noone can be under any illusion as to the fact you have this in place for a reason.
9. Creating questions gives answers
Encouraging participation by the team is essential to a good site induction. Asking questions to the team (not asking 'are there any questions?' - that's different), helps to get people engaged and feeling that the site induction is actually for them.
There is nothing worse than a room full of nodding hard hats or grumbling hi-vis.
A favourite question (but I'm sure you have your own) is 'what is the worst safety accident you have seen on site?'. That question does two fantastic things, encourages a discussion on it, and the answers reinforce the fact that actually safety is a really important part of this job and what happens when things go wrong.
10. Making it personal has a lasting impression
When people leave the induction we want them to remember what has been gone through. This is down to all of the simple factors such as, content, delivery, and participation etc. but you can leave them with a last impression by telling them why you want them to be safe.
Making safety and its importance, personal to you has the result of people understanding and believing you care enough about their well-being and its not just something you have to do.
Bare in mind, if you are not going to follow through with it and lead by example, the participants will soon realise this.
We are going to be updating our induction series regularly to please feel free to get involved and let us know the things that have worked for you.
