One quick and easy way to provide on-the-job training is by using safety videos. Training videos are an effective way to communicate with an audience and illustrate concepts that might be difficult to visualize in a classroom setting. They are often available in a variety of languages, as well, to insure full comprehension of the material.

The main idea behind many safety videos is the age old "show, not tell" concept. By illustrating complex ideas and actions, the necessary safety information involved can be communicated quickly, clearly, and effectively. While it is possible to illustrate complex actions during job-site training without the aid of video, safety videos eliminate the need to expose untrained workers to dangerous situations as well as eliminating the need to lug cumbersome equipment into a classroom setting.

Many different companies produce safety videos, and not all are the same. While most companies will cut costs by using amateur actors and inexpensive production techniques in order to pass the savings onto the customers, some will also reduce printing costs by eliminating unnecessary packaging and labeling, providing a product that is stripped to its essential safety information. If you're unsure of whether or not a safety video is right for a specific application, some suppliers offer a preview system where tapes can be returned via mail if they are unsatisfactory.

Topics Covered By Safety Videos

Safety videos are available for almost any topic that is regulated by either OSHA or ANSI. Some suppliers offer a series of videos on a single topic, and others specialize in producing general information videos for a variety of topics. Common topics include general construction safety, disposal of hazardous materials, forklift training, and electrical safety.