Dramatic effect used to hit home health and safety
message
An overview of last year's hugely successful event, news of a
chance to see AKT at IOSH 10 and exciting plans for May.
05 March 2010
On the 23 June last year at Cumbernauld Theatre, the West
of Scotland Branch of IOSH and CECA, the association representing
civil engineering employers, were joined with workers from
businesses across the Central Belt of Scotland for a
thought-provoking workshop - “Terminal”. Raising awareness of
the types of behaviours and attitudes that lead to an increased
risk of unsafe choices and accidents at work, the workshop focused
on how to prevent poor attitudes and behaviours by making safer
choices and showing personal leadership.
“Terminal” was delivered by AKT Productions,
who are based in London, and facilitated by Sue Briggs of
AKT. Sue brought her team of actors onto the stage at
Cumbernauld Theatre, using drama to re-enact a serious and truly
horrific incident that actually did happen. An incident in
which there had been missed opportunities by those involved to
intervene and prevent what was a tragic true-life accident.
In terms of seeking to change and improve the
“human factors” that cause accidents, one of the most difficult
attitudes to counteract is the “it will never happen to me”.
However, with “education”, through this type of re-enacted drama,
you at least have a chance to see that not only could it easily
happen to you but you can do something about it!
Through various role-playing scenarios
portrayed by the acting team, employees observe attitudes they may
have been guilty of themselves, whilst going through the emotional
impact associated with the consequences of an accident. You
do not get quite that same emotional impact at traditional training
and educational courses: - so this really is a unique way to hit
home the health & safety message.
With the advantage of objectivity, everyone in
the audience can see the impact of messages being portrayed, both
verbal and non-verbal, by the attitudes and choices being made on
the stage, prior to the accident that is about to happen.
In between the actor’s role playing,
psychologist Sue Briggs is a superb Facilitator leading a thought
provoking discussion with a high level of interaction with the
audience.
It is the rich mixture of people in the
audience, similar to the workplace environment, which makes for
lively, interesting and sometimes challenging discussions and
sharing of opinions. The event at Cumbernauld last year
included employees from various disciplines, all levels of
management and supervision, directors and health & safety
professionals.
Here are some of the comments received
following last year’s event;
"The event worked well to generate discussion
from the operatives, managers and health & safety professionals
who made up the varied audience”
"Educational – I was very impressed”
"I thought that was the best event I have ever
attended”
“Brought six men from foreman, labourer,
machine operator etc. and to a man they all thought it was
superb”
"Well presented and great acting with a bit of
humour too!"
In total 396 people attended two workshops,
delivered morning & afternoon, last June at Cumbernauld
Theatre. Analysis of appraisals revealed that 95% rated the
event as good, very good or excellent and 97% would recommend it to
others.
If you missed the AKT productions - don't worry - there's a
chance to catch a show at IOSH 10.
IOSH Scotland have arranged for AKT
Productions to demonstrate their unique and innovative style of
training at the IOSH 2010 Conference in Glasgow; - at the SECC on
24th and 25th March 2010.
AKT Productions will be performing at the
“Networks Theatre” within the exhibition area at 09.00am on
Wednesday 24th March, and 12.00pm on Thursday
25th March 2010. . This area is
free to attend and registration for the event is
possible through the conference website.
The Network Theatre is all about sharing
best practice, offering educational content with discussion and
networking, held immediately after the production in the “Networks
Lounge”, adjacent to the “Networks Theatre”.
At the Theatre, Sue Briggs and her team
will be performing “Think Again” which is a high impact 30 minute
behaviour safety production. Based on the Texas Oil Refinery
Disaster, “Think Again” was commissioned by Balfour Beatty as part
of a Safety Leadership programme and has received rave reviews from
persons who have seen the event.
Representing IOSH Scotland Branches on
the IOSH 2010
Conference, Sue Briggs, Andy Powrie and her team from AKT
productions will be performing “Think Again” which is something not
to be missed!
Where to next?
IOSH Scotland Branches, representing all IOSH
Branches and Districts in Scotland, wanted to see “Terminal”
reaching out pan Scotland in 2010. So too did the Board of
CECA (Scotland).
Commenting, Alan Watt, Chief Executive of CECA
(Scotland) said: “It is certainly an innovative way to get the
health & safety message across and one that proved highly
entertaining and successful.”
It is a true saying that “success breeds
success”, and so many more people in Scotland are now set to see
AKT Productions in action.
There will be five “Terminals” reaching out to
a much wider audience in May 2010. Details coming soon...
Article by;
Alan Kirkwood CMIOSH, AIEMA
QSE Manager George Leslie Limited
Chairman IOSH West of Scotland Branch
Chairman IOSH Scotland Branches
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