At first glance, OSH training and advocacy appear to be totally different disciplines, most specially for those who are not familiar with regards to occupational safety and health. It is the opposite, however, for those who work both in training and advocacy activities. One can easily identify the major similarities between these two - their objectives, the processes needed to make each effective, and the tools used to get their respective messages across.

What they are

Many books and authors have defined these two things. But first, what is the difference between training and advocacy? For an experienced OSH trainer, trainings are learning interventions intended to address lacking or inadequate competencies in the workplace, wherein they have identified three important domains: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Trainings should address at least two of these domains, if not all three. Advocacy on the other hand is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “public support or recommendation for a particular cause or policy”.

Their Objectives

Which brings us to their common objective - change for improvement. Both disciplines strive to change the mindset of the people about certain topics or subjects. Training efforts are centered on preparing workers to improve their knowledge, skills, and attitudes thus leading to better competencies to meet their jobs. Advocacy on the other hand, aims to influence decisions and mindsets of individuals in a particular area or subject. In both, the objective is CHANGE.

The Processes

The USA National Council for Social Studies identified several steps to an advocacy plan, several of which run parallel to activities that would lead to trainings. Refer to the comparison below:

The Tools

The tools used in training and advocacy are similar where OSH trainers utilize the same tools in advocacy which include visual aids such as posters, videos, as well as games, exercises, e-mail, social media posts, and others to drive their points across. With various tools to choose from, it is important to note that in preparing presentations, trainers must ensure that the instructional materials tailor fit the purpose, resources, and the audience. For example: in modern settings the use of powerpoints with a lot of graphics is more common especially in discussing with supervisors and safety officers in a company office setting. Some trainers even go so far as to create 3-minute radio dramas or video clips as a starting-off point or icebreakers for training sessions. Others go with the trend today through the internet via video conferencing tools such as Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet for OSH training activities. In more humble settings such as in far-flung areas where there is an absence of high-tech tools, trainers may opt for using the more traditional way of plain old manila paper and pen when discussing the OSH needs and solutions to farmers, home- based workers, or those from the informal sectors.

The Messaging

Due to their similarities, OSH trainings can be used as an advocacy tool to push for better understanding and to drive the importance of Occupational Safety and Health. That being said, aside from those mentioned, seasoned OSH trainers should appeal not only to the minds of the participants (imparting information or knowledge), but also appeal to their emotions for more impact.

A good example of this is the “shock” approach. Through the use of photos, videos, and other audio-visuals to show what happens in a serious accident, the line between training and advocacy blurs. Discussing the possibility of an accident pales in comparison as to when an actual accident occurs. Though of course as with all other things, there should be moderation in order to avoid desensitization when too much of the shock approach is used.

Trainers must find ways to appeal to the “so-what-needs-to-be done?” mindset, or make the participants think, “What’s in it for me or my company if we practice OSH?”. Lastly, remind participants that there will always be the “stick” approach, where non-compliance can have the government coming after you and your company. Truly, OSH training is a powerful advocacy tool, and one just has to know how to wield it.

SOURCES:

Advocacy meaning. (n.d.). www.google.com. https://www.google.com

Advocacy planning. (n.d.). Www.Socialstudies.Org. https://www.socialstudies.org/advocacy/advocacy-planning-your-10-step-plan-0

Images:

Safety training. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Canva. https://www.canva.com

Safety signage. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Canva. https://www.canva.com

Webinar safety training. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Canva. https://www.canva.com