3 Ways to Make Safety Meetings More Effective

Preparing for the meeting includes creating the agenda; setting up the location; communicating the logistics to attendees; and most importantly, developing the curriculum. Depending on the subjects to be covered, the training should include a mixture of presentation techniques. Each attendee learns differently, so presenting the material in multiple formats has a better chance of reaching everyone and keeping the audience engaged.

Try to avoid standing in front of the room and lecturing. Instead, facilitate a discussion that involves interacting with attendees. Additionally, once the classroom portion is completed (which can include videos, PowerPoints, etc.), engage the audience with hands-on instruction.

If the topic involves driving, get the audience behind the wheel of the truck and have them demonstrate their proficiency. The same goes for activities outside the truck or in the shop and loading dock. Adults learn best by knowing how the training affects their jobs directly and by having an opportunity to practice what is being taught. 

As previously mentioned, engage the audience as much as possible using facilitation. There is nothing worse than having an instructor read slides to an audience or lecture 100 percent of the time. This delivery method may be necessary when reading a new regulation, company policy, or work procedure to the audience, but balance this by asking attendees to interpret what was covered or share stories that can help others relate to the material. Again, any time the audience can be actively involved in the training, the more likely they are to retain the knowledge and apply it to their jobs.

Lastly, bring the energy! Make the meeting fun and show some enthusiasm. Do this by greeting the participants and avoiding speaking in monotone. You do not have to be Shakespeare, but practice your delivery ahead of time to get comfortable with the material and anticipate questions.

Additionally, there are always one or two disgruntled attendees who would rather be doing something other than attending a mandatory training, especially if the meeting is being held during their off-duty time.

Presenters must win the audience over, so make your safety meeting the place to be. Do this by greeting attendees when they arrive and by thanking them for showing up. Next, consider opening the meeting with introductions and, if not available beforehand, ask audience members to share their years of experience and time with the company.

Identifying audience demographics is a good way for the presenter to gauge how detailed the presentation needs to be, what topics may be irrelevant, and which delivery style might be most effective.