Creating the perfect onsite welcome video is crucial for ensuring that contractors and visitors are well-prepared and informed before setting foot on your premises. Onsite welcome videos have become the gold standard for delivering critical information, including health and safety guidelines, fire drill procedures, and site-specific instructions. Unlike outdated methods such as lengthy PDFs, these videos provide a structured, visual, and engaging experience that aligns with how people naturally process information.
The Importance of Structure in Onsite Welcome Videos
People are naturally linear thinkers. It’s why when we read a book or watch a film the storyline needs to make sense; we start at the beginning and go to the end, following the characters’ development. If a book or movie is all jumbled up, we lose connection with it. Your health and safety information works the same way. Simply sending over a collection of health and safety PDFs doesn’t have the same memorable impact, and it’s probably why accidents still happen. If the reader has to spend time figuring out which part of the health and safety document relates to them and where on site it applies, they’re not concentrating on the critical information.
A well-structured onsite welcome video that includes all the necessary information, such as health and safety guidelines, fire drill instructions, entry and exit procedures, and site-specific regulations, needs to follow a logical sequence that mirrors the experience of being onsite.
Step-by-Step Breakdown: Structuring the Onsite Welcome Video
To create an effective onsite welcome video, it’s important to think logically and structure the content in a way that mirrors the viewer’s experience from the moment they arrive onsite until they leave. Let’s break down the essential elements:
1. Arrival on Site: Car Parking Guidelines
The first step in any onsite welcome video should be what the visitor or contractor needs to do upon arrival. Begin with car parking instructions. Specify if reverse parking is required and indicate which car parks are designated for contractors. Including images of the car park layout can help viewers visualise where they should park and any specific rules they need to follow.
2. Signing In: Location and Requirements
Next, guide the viewer through the signing-in process. Show where the contractor’s office is located and explain how to sign in. Detail what documentation or identification they need to bring. This could include visuals of the office, the sign-in book, or digital sign-in system to make it clear and straightforward.
3. Navigating the Site: Walkways and Safety
After signing in, the video should cover how to safely navigate the site. Emphasize the importance of sticking to designated walkways and being cautious of carrying objects that may obstruct their view. This section can also include warnings about potential hazards specific to your site, such as heavy machinery or ongoing construction work. Providing visual cues through the video that can help reinforce these safety messages.
4. Working On Site: Guidelines and Permits
This section should address the guidelines for working onsite. Break down the various permits required for tasks such as hot works, working at heights, and handling chemicals. Explain what each permit allows and the procedures for obtaining them. Using animations to depict different scenarios can help clarify what is expected of contractors in different situations.
5. Emergency Procedures: Fire Drills and Evacuation
Fire safety is a critical component of any onsite welcome video. Explain the fire drill procedures, including how the alarm will sound, what to do when it goes off, and where the evacuation points are located. Animation can be particularly useful here to show the exact routes to take and what the assembly points look like.
6. Additional Information: Chemical Spills, Recycling, and More
In the final part of the video, cover any additional important information. This could include instructions on handling a chemical spill, recycling procedures, and any other site-specific guidelines. This section ensures that all loose ends are tied up, leaving no room for confusion.
7. Exiting the Site: Final Steps
Finally, guide the viewer through the process of leaving the site after their work is completed. This can include how to sign out, return ID badges, and exit the premises safely. Conclude with a reminder of the importance of following all site procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.
The Advantages of Using Animated Videos for Onsite Welcome Content
One of the most significant advantages of using animated videos for onsite welcome content is the flexibility and customisation they offer. While it may seem easier to film the video to capture the site exactly as it is, this approach has limitations.
1. Flexibility in Design
Animated videos allow for a high degree of flexibility. For instance, an illustrator can take photos of the site and then create illustrations that remove anything not meant to be there, such as temporary structures or equipment. This ensures that the video remains relevant and accurate, even if changes occur onsite.
2. Ease of Updates
If a building changes or signs are updated, reshooting a live-action video can be time-consuming and costly. With animated videos, updates are much simpler. New images can be added, and existing ones modified without the need for a new shoot. This makes it easy to keep the onsite welcome video up to date with the latest information.
3. Consistency Across the Board
Animated videos ensure that every contractor or visitor receives the same information, presented in the same way. This consistency reduces the risk of miscommunication and helps reinforce the key messages that need to be conveyed. By showing illustrations that accurately represent the site, contractors are more likely to remember and follow the instructions provided.
Conclusion
Today, where attention spans are short and distractions are many, creating the perfect onsite welcome video is more important than ever. Structured, engaging, and visually aligned with the actual site, these videos ensure that all necessary information is clearly communicated and easily understood. By investing in a well-crafted onsite welcome video, you’re not just checking a box, you’re setting the stage for a safer, more efficient work environment.
Onsite welcome videos are the future of contractor inductions, and by following these guidelines, you can create a video that leaves a lasting impact on everyone who views it.