HP in Safety Critical Communication

Spoken, written and visual communications are critical in maintaining safety and integrity.

Worksite Hazard Awareness and Management: A range of verbal, written and visual guides and instructions that help all personnel, including contractors and visitors to identify and negotiate worksite hazards in the work place safely. This may include key findings from risk assessments, induction to site, evacuation drills, emergency instructions, safety warnings and so on. 

Safety Critical Task Instructions and Signals: Specific verbal, written and visual signals that ensure safety critical tasks are performed safely and in accordance with the plan. This may include work permit systems, banksman signals, radio communications, operations and maintenance handovers, audible alarms, fire watch etc. 

Emergency Response Communications: Detailed verbal, written and visual instructions that support the efficient and appropriate response to an emergency situation. This is likely to include commands, directions, multi-agency coordination, triage, medical response etc. These communications are very likely to change rapidly as situations develop.

 The content for this section is currently under development. If you have any questions or feedback, or wish to share your approach in this area, please email us at admin@hpog.org

Meantime you may wish to look at the resources below:

Energy Institute briefing note on Communication.

HSE Guidance on Safety Critical Communication.

Fact sheets on 3-Way Communication and the Phonetic Alphabet.