Video Reviews

Video 1 - Accident Investigation
Video 2 - The Safety Bit

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    I have viewed all of the videos produced by Out Takes and arranged for the purchase of many of them in my differing roles over the years since they entered the market.  Their first video “The Secret Siphon” was shear delight.  This was the video that made visual the message that was lacking in safety management.  All titles since have been equally impactive, without resorting to the gore, so prevalent in safety videos in the 1970s and 1980s.

   The video “Reaction into Action” tackles an issue that is coming to the fore, learning from accidents.  This aspect of safety management has been under the spotlight of the UK’s HSE with its recent consultation document “A new duty to investigate accidents”.  Clearly we are entering a period where if it is not a legal requirement it will certainly be a strong recommendation in the Management of Health and Safety, Approved Code of Practice.  For mangers and safety trainers still wondering how to deal with this subject “Reaction into Action” will give you the answers you need.

   Presented in two parts, “Reaction into Action” explains why we need to investigate accidents and incidents before moving on to how it can be done.

    Part 1 is presented in a unambiguous manner, presenting just enough facts to grab your interest without overwhelming you.  For me the lasting image from part 1 was the paperwork hitting the bin, emphasising that this is about solving the problems, not filling the filing cabinets.

   Part 2 is what makes this video a winner.  Without preaching ‘from the pulpit’ or attempting to impose a specific approach it explains, step by step, the principles behind accident investigation.  The true impact of this part is in the understatement, using a non-injury incident to demonstrate the process.  To the viewer watching the lead up to the incident there was potentially fatal outcome looming.  The fact that the outcome was less serious is justification enough for learning the lesson.  Part 2 would stand alone as a refresher to be watched, by the investigating team, at the early stages of an accident or incident investigation.

    One minor addition I would like to have seen is a comment on the need to record a written statement from the people who were in the vicinity of the accident or incident but when interviewed were found to have seen or heard nothing.  This will avoid the appearance of surprise witnesses later on and could be significant in any future civil or criminal action.

  My overall impression is that “Reaction into Action” tackles the subject of accident and investigation in a competent and informative manner.  Managers and safety trainers would do well to consider adding this video to their collection.

Ciaran McAleenan
MPhil CEng MICE CMIOSH Professional Member of ASSE
Engineering Partner - Expert Ease International

Have you ever had the pleasure of delivering the health and safety slot of an induction programme to a group of glassy eyed new staff, already exhausted from listening about pensions, reporting systems etc. etc.? Yes! Then perhaps this video “The Safety Bit” by Out Takes Video Communications is the answer to your prayers.

Lasting just 15 minutes this film manages to relate to the feelings and apprehensions of people who are experiencing their first day in a new job, while selling a positive pro-active safety message. And the maker’s simple message is to ask trainees to think about safety and what they can do about it in the workplace so that safety becomes part of their daily routine.

Okay so we’ve heard that before. However it is in the selling of this message to perhaps already weary staff where this film scores well.

I found the video visually interesting with a no nonsense commentary by Ian Puleston-Davis that was straight to the point. The visual parallels of risk in the workplace with rock climbing and the team safety with rugby hold the attention, as do the snappy interviews with new workers who seem to reflect exactly what the induction trainees are thinking. “ If I ask questions will I look stupid to my colleagues” and “ what will my manager think” are just two of the issues that are addressed. The emphasis of the film is to encourage new staff to take on the responsibility for safety themselves. They are coming into the workplace with a fresh pair of eyes that do not have the years of complacency etched into their minds that go with doing the same type of job for a long time.

Feedback from my induction group (who ranged from office workers to engineers) with whom I previewed the video was very positive. I’ve no doubt this programme is ideal for use in all types of workplace, from offices to construction sites and provided it is complimented with advice to trainees about agreeing training plans with their supervisors and managers, it will make “THE SAFETY BIT” of induction training a lot more effective and interesting for all concerned.

Geoffrey Maxwell
Training Consultant (Ireland)