Enhancing Stakeholder Communication: A Priority for OHS Professionals

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by AIHS.

It’s easy to understand why effective communication is so important for all Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals. However, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), found that there is a need for these experts to prioritise clear and accessible language when engaging with stakeholders. Put simply, experts need to be able to step outside of industry-specific jargon and ensure simple communication so that all parties (regardless of expertise), can fully understand safety messages.

The Communication Gap in OHS

Nektarios Karanikas, an associate professor in the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) discipline at QUT’s School of Public Health & Social Work, emphasises the issue of a lack of empirical research on how OHS professionals communicate with various stakeholders. Although academic literature and industry reports highlight the significance of tailoring communication to the audience, there are plenty of improvements to be made in practice.

Karanikas points out that OHS professionals often assume that terms like "safety," "hazards," and "risks" are understood at a global level. Yet, these concepts may be interpreted differently depending on the audience's background. This disconnect can lead to confusion and misaligned safety efforts.

The Challenge of Diverse Stakeholders

It's common for OHS professionals to frequently communicate with a range of stakeholders, from managers to frontline workers, and more. Every group have their own understanding and perspective of safety terms. As an example, engineers might prefer precise and measurable terms over more abstract concepts such as ‘poor awareness’. Alternatively, others may focus on safety as a function of resource allocation, which could unintentionally downplay its importance as a core responsibility. 

Additionally, in diverse and multicultural workplaces, communication barriers can put certain groups at more risk. Safety policies and procedures that are complex may be misunderstood or even ignored by workers who may not have english as their language. This shows the importance of inclusive communication that can resonate with everyone, regardless of their role or background. 

The Importance of Contextual Language

The OHS Body of Knowledge emphasises that the language used by safety professionals should be context-dependent. The tone and content of a report for a board of management will differ from a toolbox talk aimed at workers. Karanikas notes that it's crucial to attract attention to safety issues even when no accidents have occurred. When incidents do happen, people naturally focus on safety, but it's the proactive communication that can prevent such events in the first place.

Karanikas also warns against the dangers of conflicting messages. For example, while promoting a "just culture" that encourages open reporting of safety issues, the simultaneous criminalisation of safety failures can send mixed signals to workers and managers. This inconsistency can undermine efforts to create a fair and open safety culture.

Moving Towards Unified Communication

One of the biggest challenges for OHS professionals is ensuring that all stakeholders have a consolidated understanding of safety. When individuals interpret safety concepts in differing ways, it can lead to inconsistency. This is why it i s vital to establish a common language everyone can agree on.

Karanikas suggests that OHS professionals should avoid using super technical terms that may be confusing. Instead, they should adopt simple and concise language that resonates with the local workforce. For instance, while some voices in the industry argue against using the term "error" due to its negative connotations, Karanikas believes that in certain contexts, it might be more effective to redefine the term rather than abolish it altogether.

In summary, the role of OHS professionals extends beyond technical expertise. It involves bridging communication gaps to ensure that safety messages are understood and acted upon by all stakeholders. This requires a willingness to adapt language and communication styles to meet the needs of diverse audiences. By doing so, OHS professionals can foster a culture of safety that is truly inclusive and effective.

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