Workplace safety isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a reflection of your company culture. When employees feel informed and protected, they perform better, take fewer risks and are more engaged with their work. One of the most effective ways to communicate safety procedures and expectations is through a dedicated workplace safety video.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a safety video for your workplace that not only meets compliance standards but also resonates with your team.

Quick Overview: What Makes a Good Workplace Safety Video?

A strong safety video is clear, relevant and engaging. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Do your research – Start with trusted sources like Safe Work Australia or your local WorkSafe authority.
• Plan the delivery – Will it be shown in a group, part of e-learning or sent to individual desktops? Tailor the format accordingly.
• Get expert help if needed – Companies like us at Channel 1 Creative Media specialise in safety content and can support script development.
• Test your script – Ask knowledgeable colleagues for feedback. What works? What’s missing?
• Feature real employees – Involve frontline staff to introduce or narrate sections for a relatable touch.
• Keep it short and sharp – Aim for concise messaging to maximise engagement and retention.

Effective safety videos don’t need to be long. They just need to be clear, practical and easy to watch.

Let’s break down the process of creating an effective safety video from start to finish.

Start with Research and Compliance

Before you film anything, you need to understand what your safety video must cover. A great starting point is Safe Work Australia or your state’s WorkSafe authority. These governing bodies provide clear guidelines on:

• Workplace health and safety duties
• Specific hazards relevant to your industry
• Required procedures for training and emergency response

Completing thorough research at this stage is crucial. A visit to the official Safe Work Australia website or even engaging with your local WorkSafe office can help ensure your video is not only informative but also fully compliant with regulatory standards.

At Channel 1, we often begin our client projects with a consultation based on these guidelines, ensuring the script and storyboard are both compliant and practical. We can also handle the research and scripting for your convenience.

Identify the Risks Unique to Your Workplace

Every business has its own set of safety concerns. While a construction site may need to focus on PPE and machinery protocols, an office might prioritise ergonomics and fire safety.

Conduct a site audit or speak with your health and safety officer to determine:

• What are the most common incidents or near misses?
• Where are the risk hotspots?
• Which procedures require regular reinforcement?

This helps tailor your video content to the real needs of your team.

Script with Clarity and Purpose

Once you know what to cover, it’s time to craft your script. Safety videos should be direct, conversational and easy to follow. Don’t try to say everything. Just focus on what matters most.

Here’s how to refine your script:

• Use plain English and avoid jargon
• Break the video into clear, modular sections (e.g., general safety, PPE, emergency procedures)
• Use a ‘We Hear / We See’ format to align visuals with the spoken script
• Keep instructions short, actionable and easy to understand

Test Your Script Before You Hit Record

Once your script is drafted, run it by colleagues who have strong knowledge of the topic, like safety officers or experienced team members. Ask them: What would you add, remove or rephrase? Their insights help catch anything unclear, inaccurate or missing.

This not only improves the quality of the script but also ensures the final video reflects real-world procedures. Plus, involving staff early on builds buy-in and can lead to more practical, relatable content.

Use Realistic Visuals, Not Stock Footage

Authenticity matters. Filming in your actual workplace helps employees relate more closely to the content.

Include footage of:

• Real staff demonstrating procedures
• Correct and incorrect ways of handling situations
• Site-specific signage, equipment and work areas

Visuals are more effective than words alone when it comes to understanding hazards and safe practices.

Feature Leadership and Team Voices

When leaders are visible in safety content, it signals that safety is a company-wide priority. Include a message from your manager or safety officer to introduce the video and reinforce its importance.

You could also seek frontline volunteers to introduce each section of the video. This helps boost engagement and shows that safety is a team effort, not just a top-down directive.

Include Emergency Procedures and Contacts

Don’t forget the basics. Your video should clearly outline:

• Evacuation routes and assembly points
• Fire extinguisher locations
• First aid officers and how to contact them
• Who to notify in the event of an incident

These should be visually reinforced on screen and accompanied by text captions.

Think Ahead: How Will the Video Be Viewed?

Even the best video won’t be effective if it’s not delivered properly. Before finalising production, consider how and where your team will view the video:

• Will it be shown in group sessions?
• Will it be part of an online induction or e-learning module?
• Will it be emailed or hosted on internal dashboards for individuals to watch on their own time?

Each scenario may require different formatting, pacing or even interactive elements. Channel 1 can help tailor your safety video for various delivery environments, whether it’s digital, classroom-style or on-site rollout.

Make the Video Accessible to All

Everyone in your workplace should be able to understand and engage with the video. Accessibility features include:

• Subtitles and closed captions
• Clear visuals with minimal background noise
• Slow-paced narration or voiceover

Also, consider translating your video or using visual cues if you have a multilingual workforce.

Keep it Short, Modular and Easy to Update

To maximise engagement, keep videos short and focused. One of the most effective formats we recommend is modular training or breaking your safety video into short clips, each focused on one key area. This approach not only improves viewer retention but also makes it easier to update specific segments when regulations or workplace procedures change.

Attention spans are limited, especially when it comes to training material. Instead of one long video, consider creating several short modules focused on different topics. This also makes it easier to update segments as regulations or procedures change.

For example:

• Module 1: General Safety Expectations
• Module 2: PPE Guidelines
• Module 3: Emergency Response Procedures

This format works especially well for onboarding and refresher training.

Review and Test Before Launch

Once your video is complete, test it with a small group of employees. Ask for feedback:

• Was anything unclear?
• Did the pacing work?
• Were the visuals helpful?

Make final edits based on feedback to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Ready to Create a Safety Video That Makes a Real Impact?

At Channel 1 Creative Media, we specialise in creating engaging, compliant and site-specific safety videos for Australian workplaces. We combine professional production with industry research and practical insights to ensure your team is informed, confident and safe on the job. From initial scripting to post-production, we’ll guide you through every step of the process.Call us today on 0387430488 or visit our Contact Us page to start creating a workplace safety video that protects your team and supports your business.