Safety Communication and Feedback

The Chernobyl disaster has shown how crucial communication is in a nuclear safety culture. A strict hierarchical structure prevented the expression of concern, which contributed to the disaster. Since then, organizations like WANO and INPO have promoted 360-degree communication that obliges all employees to voice security concerns. These principles aim to identify risks at an early stage and prevent accidents by creating an open and respectful communication culture.

Communication in the field of occupational safety is an indispensable duty for all employees. Unsafe behaviors must be addressed, even if doing so requires overcoming personal reluctance or leads to uncomfortable situations. Only by consistently pointing out violations of safety regulations can accidents and injuries be effectively prevented. Everyday examples demonstrate that hazards often arise unexpectedly and that no one is immune to unforeseen incidents. Therefore, it is essential to actively engage in safety communication at all times and in all places. Constructive dialogue about safety-related issues—so-called safety dialogues—forms a central foundation for effective prevention.

The safety dialogue is an essential tool of safety culture, used both in acute danger situations and for preventive risk avoidance. It promotes individual discussions about safety by considering different perspectives on risks. The dialogue encompasses four guiding questions: exploring the work situation, identifying hazards, evaluating behavior, and suggesting improvements. Resistance can be overcome through humorous and empathetic approaches, with adaptation to the individual situation and personality being crucial. A questioning, empathetic, and factually rule-oriented attitude is particularly important when addressing leaders or experienced colleagues. Safety dialogues minimize risks and prevent sanctions, with escalation only occurring in emergencies. Core messages of safety culture emphasize the unpredictability of dangers and the importance of health and safety to create trust and appreciation.

In our Live-Calls, we recap the content and go into greater depth during discussions and group exercises.