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Five Ways to Make Your Videos More “Instagrammable”

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Erika Carruth

Quick tips for making business videos Instagram-worthy

If your business is not using Instagram, you may be missing out on easy opportunities to reach your target audience. Consider the fact that one billion people use the social media platform every month, and of all the social networks, only Facebook and YouTube have more people logging in each day. Additionally, out of the one billion monthly active users on Instagram, more than 500 million of them use the platform every day (source: Hootsuite). To put it simply, there are one billion reasons to get started with your own Instagram account.

While this blog post is not going to be dedicated to setting up your profile, we will address one of the most important types of posts that you can have on Instagram – videos. According to a study conducted by Hubspot with results published by Search Engine Journal, Instagram video posts receive twice the engagement of other post types. Additionally, Instagram has made video marketing more accessible for small businesses, thanks to Instagram Stories, Instagram Live, IGTV, and posting video to your feed. Engagement statistics aside, video gives you the ability to share complex concepts and in-depth stories that simply cannot be captured in a single image.

Assuming that you are not a contractor by day and a videographer by night, you could probably use a tip or two on making sure that your videos are ready to post. Here are five ways to make your videos Instagram-worthy:

Be Still – While this may seem like an obvious one, you would be amazed by how many people record video without keeping the viewer in mind; it’s just easy to get into what you’re recording rather than how you are recording it. The result can leave the audience feeling like they are on a spinning tea cups ride, creating an unpleasant viewing experience. Additionally, movement makes it difficult to make seamless edits later when you may choose to combine a few segments of footage rather than use the entire video. Whether you choose to use a tripod, an experienced videographer or just prop your camera on a stable surface, make sure to keep the camera nice and steady.
Include Text – Keep in mind that many viewers will not choose to turn up the volume on your video. If your video cannot be understood without the voiceover or audio, then it is vital that you use text overlay and/subtitles to help tell the story. Even if they crank up the volume, the text won’t interfere and is an expected part of most Instagram video experiences.
Be Brief – Keep your videos brief, especially if you want to add it to your story. You should keep the video duration under one minute. From your feed, videos will play automatically and can be up to 60 seconds in length, making them easy to scroll through and view.
Link it Up – Be sure to add a link to a specific webpage where you are ultimately driving traffic. Whether you add the link directly to your Instagram story or refer viewers to a link in your bio, it is important to provide easy access for the viewer to take the next steps. Using a service that allows you multiple links from one URL is always an option as well.
Include Hashtags – On Instagram, it is all about the hashtags. It is how you and your videos will be found by everyone outside of your followers. The more specific you make your hashtags, the better chance you have of reaching your target audience. While you can put as many hashtags as you desire, try not to go overboard. Some research points to higher engagement rates with posts having up to eleven hashtags, and while this sounds great in theory, it is more important that you choose relevant hashtags – think quality over quantity.

To truly know what is and is not working for your Instagram posts, make sure to review engagement data on a regular basis and identify the content that is receiving the greatest response. From there, you can create all posts, videos included, to be perfectly “Instagrammable”.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog. To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Developing the Next Generation of Construction Professionals

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Erika Carruth

The tight construction labor pool is only getting smaller, and the need for training the next generation of construction professionals is becoming more evident.

Time and time again, we visit the issues that construction business owners are facing on a daily basis, and one of the greatest challenges to a construction business today is the shrinking labor force. In fact, a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) indicated that 80% of construction companies are having difficulty hiring hourly craft positions. Despite the fact that average earnings for construction workers have been on the rise and are at a 9-year high, construction companies seem unable to increase their workforce.

So, what’s the answer to this ongoing issue? Truth be told, every business goes about handling their staffing issues differently, but from a big picture perspective, much of the answer is with training the next wave of construction professionals. As quoted in the AGC report, Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist stated, ‘Labor shortages in the construction industry remain significant and widespread. The best way to encourage continued economic growth, make it easier to rebuild aging infrastructure and place more young adults into high-paying careers is to address construction workforce shortages.’

One way to do this is to offer training to younger job seekers, as well as make the industry more attractive to talent. While this sounds like an easy solution, based on recent data, it poses quite a challenge. A survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) revealed that 74 percent of adults (ages 18-25) know the career fields that they want to enter, but only 3 percent would choose construction trades.

The survey went deeper into the issue and reported that the two most common reasons for those who chose not to go into the industry were wanting a less physically-demanding job (48%) and the belief that construction work is difficult (32%). ‘Survey participants were then asked if there was any compensation level that might entice them to reconsider a career in the trades. For slightly more than 20 percent, that number is either $75,000 or $100,000, but for the plurality (43%), there is no amount of money that could make them give the trades a second thought.’

In addition to training, it appears that higher wages and an overall change in how the industry is perceived can help entice younger adults to consider careers in construction. This also requires a change in perspective on who is invited to careers in construction. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median age for an American construction worker is 42.5, and males make up almost 90 percent of workers in the industry. Such statistics point to a need for more females to have opportunities to join the workforce. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that women earn 95.7% as much as men in the same job within construction – This margin is better than most industries where the standard reflects women earning 81% less than their male counterparts across the board.

While labor shortages won’t be resolved overnight, construction business owners can help with propelling the industry forward by: offering training and career opportunities for millennials and young adults; encouraging women to enter construction and providing related opportunities for employment; connecting with trade organizations and schools to offer career path programs; upgrading your technology and equipping crews with tools and education that can be of value to them in the future.

For more information on construction industry trends and business tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog. To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

OSHA Offers Consulting Services

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Erika Carruth

Information about OSHA’s free safety consultation program

Would you invite OSHA to come visit your workplace and job sites? Before you say “no”, first ask yourself a few questions:

Where are the weak points in my job site safety program?
How can I improve safety on the job?

While many contractors’ greatest fear is to have OSHA conduct an inspection, there is a program in place that is designed to alleviate those fears and prepare business owners for an actual inspection.

If you follow OSHA on their social media or news feeds, you have probably noticed the latest push regarding their free and confidential onsite consultation program. Unlike OSHA inspections, the On-Site Consultation Program has been put into action to help small businesses improve worker safety, and save money, by identifying potential hazards. Curious about how it works? Here are a few facts about the program to help you determine if the service is right for you:

Experience – Not only does OSHA set the standard, but they reportedly have conducted 26,000 consultation visits nationwide during FY
Helping Workers – A recent infographic released by OSHA noted that 2.9 million workers have been removed from hazards as a result of conducting consultations.
Small Business Resource – With the service being free, it can attractive to small businesses looking for guidance in certain areas. 80% of the businesses who have utilized the service have fewer than 100 employees.
Savings – In just one year (2018), OSHA reported $1.3 billion in annual savings due to the consulting program.
No Citations – On-Site Consultation services are separate from OSHA’s enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. The consultation is confidential and will not be reported routinely to the OSHA inspection staff.
No Guarantees – Having a consultation does not guarantee that you will pass future inspections.

So how does it work?

First, keep in mind that a consultation is a voluntary activity; this mean that it must be requested by you from OSHA (see OSHA’s Consultation Directory). The consultant will discuss your specific needs and schedule a consultation.

According to OSHA – Once on your job site, the consultant will meet with you prior to commencing the walk through and review. While reviewing your entire workplace, the consultant will identify safety and health risks (not just those based on OSHA’s standards), and he/she will review findings with you at the end of the visit. From there, the consultant will send you a final and detailed report on findings, confirm agreed upon abatement periods and keep in contact periodically.

While the program is free, there are some requirements should an OSHA consultant identify hazards. As a business owner, it will be your obligation to correct serious job safety and health hazards–a commitment which you are expected to make prior to the actual visit.

To learn more about what happens during an OSHA On-Site Consultation, visit their program information page.

For the latest updates on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog. To gain access to the latest reports on construction permit data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW.

Beat the Summer Heat

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A few ways to keep crews safe from high summer temperatures

Keeping your crews safe goes beyond safety training and harnesses. With the summer upon us, the heat can be fatal if safety precautions are not in place. Not to mention, failing to protect employees working in extreme heat is an OSHA violation.

Earlier this month, OSHA published a news release stating that the U.S. Department of Labor cited a Georgia Water Services Company after one of their employees suffered a heat-related injury on a jobsite in Key West, Florida. According to the release, “an employee suffered heat exhaustion and was hospitalized after working in direct sunlight and wearing required protective clothing during welding and fabrication work at a Key West, Florida, worksite. On the day of the hospitalization, the heat index ranged between 83 and 88 degrees. OSHA cited the employer for failing to protect workers exposed to outdoor heat hazards, and failing to report a hospitalization within 24 hours, as required.” Now the employer faces $21,311 in penalties, including the maximum penalty allowed by law for the heat-related violation.

For those of us who are born and raised in the South, often we don’t take the heat seriously enough, and while that may be fine for leisure activities, it is a major liability that requires attention as a construction professional. In order to beat the heat this summer, here are a few things you can do for your crews to keep them safe when working outdoors:

Water, Rest and Shade – While they seem obvious, water, rest and shade are three concepts that should be integrated into your daily routine and safety practices. It’s quite simple… As an employer, it is crucial that you provide your crews with plenty of water, appropriate breaks and rest as well as shaded areas on the jobsite.
Provide Time to Acclimate – New and/or returning workers should be given a chance to gradually increase their workloads and take more frequent breaks as they become accustomed to and build a tolerance for working in the heat.
Have a Plan – All members of your crews should be aware of emergency protocol, as well as prevention and safety practices related to high heat conditions.
Monitor – Along with foreman and site supervisors, your crews should be monitoring themselves and each other for any signs of heat exhaustion or illness. If they aren’t already aware of the signs, now is the time to inform them of what they should look for and how to handle it. To assist, here is a list of common signs and symptoms.

OSHA conducts training and outreach on heat-related workplace hazards every spring and summer. Information on establishing a heat illness prevention program, a video on protecting workers from heat illness, and resources with other suggested best practices are available on OSHA’s heat illness prevention page.

To receive the latest updates on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog. To gain access to the latest reports on construction permit data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW.

Florida’s Top Spots for Swimming Pools – May 2019

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the top three regions in Florida for new swimming pool construction during the month of May 2019

It’s summertime, and in Florida that means more pool time for many people. From a construction professional’s perspective, it can also mean an increase in demand for pools, pool services, maintenance and repair.

Based on the latest swimming pool construction permit data pulled from HBW’s database for the month of May 2019, there were approximately 1,855 swimming pool starts in Florida last month, many of which originated from three major regions. Out of the five major areas reviewed (Southwest, Southeast, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville), here is a look at the top three spots for new swimming pool construction in the Sunshine State during the month of May:

Southwest Florida

The southwestern region of Florida ranked #1 for new swimming pool construction. Approximately 32% of all new permits originated from the southwest where there were 590 swimming pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $26 million. The average value of new construction was moderate (average value: $44,147), and nearly half of all new pool construction took place in Lee County (141 permits) and Collier County (143 permits).

Southeast Florida

Southeast Florida is another hot spot for new swimming pool construction. Last month, there were 389 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value of $15.3 million added to the HBW database. The average value of new pool construction landed on the lower end of the spectrum (average value: $39,338), and more than half of all new swimming pool construction originated from two major counties: Palm Beach (140 permits); Miami-Dade (107 permits).

Tampa

Not far behind the southeast, Tampa also experienced its fair share of new pool construction last month. With 358 swimming pool starts and a total construction value of $17.6 million, Tampa ranked third-highest for new pool construction. The average value of construction in the Tampa area was higher than other regions reviewed (average value: $49,219), and the majority of permits originated from the counties of Hillsborough (99 permits) and Pasco (95 permits).

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Florida Residential Construction Review – May 2019

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest residential construction permit data on file with HBW for Florida during the month of May 2019

In Florida, there were more than 5,410 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the month of May. Out of the five major regions reviewed (Tampa, Southwest, Orlando, Jacksonville, Southeast), Tampa held the greatest total number of housing starts (1,520 permits), while the Southeast continued to hold the highest average value of new construction (average value: $328,606).

Out of the hundreds active home builders with permits on record for the one-month period, D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes continued to lead and hold higher levels of new construction activity statewide. Here is a closer look at the construction permit data and leading builders by region:

Tampa

Tampa ranked #1 for housing starts last month having approximately 1,520 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $452 million on file with HBW. The average value of new construction was $297,685, and the majority of all new permits originated from two counties: Hillsborough (517 permits) and Polk (414 permits).

Out of the 230 home builders with permits in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits on file with HBW:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – The Villages of Lake Sumter

#3 – D.R. Horton

Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida ranked second highest for housing starts last month, having 1,145 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $297 million on record. The average value of construction was moderate in comparison to other areas reviewed (average value: $259,279), and the counties that carried the bulk of new residential construction activity included: Lee County (284 permits); Manatee County (272 permits); Sarasota County (256 permits).

Out of the 225 active home builders listed in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits on file with HBW:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – Pulte Homes

#3 – D.R. Horton

Orlando

In the Orlando area, there were more than 1,060 housing starts with a total construction value of $321.5 million last month. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $302,732), and more than half of all new permits originated from Orange County (320 permits) and Volusia County (253 permits).

Out of the 180 home builders with permits on file last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – D.R. Horton

#3 – Meritage Homes

Jacksonville

Last month, there were approximately 1,000 housing starts with a total construction value of $224 million in the Jacksonville area. The average value of new construction was $223,716, and nearly half of all new permits originated from the County of Duval (415 permits).

Out of the 135 active builders with permits on file in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

#1 – D.R. Horton

#2 – Lennar Homes

#3 – Dream Finders Home

Southeast Florida

While the total number of housing starts in Southeast Florida was lower than other regions reviewed (688 permits, total construction value: $228M), the area continues to hold the highest average value of construction (average value: $328,606). The counties with the highest concentration of housing starts included St. Lucie (276 permits) and Palm Beach (169 permits).

Out of the 185+ active home builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

#1 – GL Building Corp.

#2 – D.R. Horton

#3 – GL Homes

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Report – May 2019

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Erika Carruth

An HBW summary of the latest swimming pool construction permit data available for Texas during the month of May 2019

Last month, there were 650 swimming pool permits added to the HBW database for Texas. Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Dallas led for having the greatest total amount of new construction permits (296 permits) on file with HBW, while Austin held the highest average value of new pool construction (average value: $60,431).

When taking a closer look at HBW’s construction data reports, subscribers are able to receive all details for each permit pulled during a given period; for the purpose of reporting and providing a broader view of new swimming pool construction in major metro areas in Texas, HBW lists and compares the following data:

1 – Total permits pulled during the one-month period

2 – Average value of new swimming pool construction

3 – Top counties with the highest concentration of swimming pool starts

4 – Total active builders with permits on file for the month

5 – Top three pool builders based on the total number of permits pulled during a given period

Based on the above listed areas of focus, the latest swimming pool construction permit data summary for Texas is as follows:

Dallas

Total Permits: 296 permits

Average Value of New Swimming Pool Construction: $45,495 (lowest out of four metro areas)

Top County (based on total permits): Dallas County (73 permits)

Active pool builders: 126

Top three swimming pool builders (based on total permits): #1 – Gold Medal Pools; #2 – Hauk Custom Pools; #3 – Puryear Custom Pools

Houston

Total Permits: 214 permits

Average Value of New Swimming Pool Construction: $57,597

Top County (based on total permits): Harris County (107 permits)

Active pool builders: 119

Top three swimming pool builders (based on total permits): #1 – Platinum Pools; #2 – Premier Pools; #3 – McKinney Custom Pools

Austin

Total Permits: 90 permits

Average Value of New Swimming Pool Construction: $60,431 (highest out of four metro areas)

Top County (based on total permits): Travis County (63 permits)

Active pool builders: 47

Top three swimming pool builders (based on total permits): #1 – Cody Pools; #2 – Anthony & Sylvan Pools; #3 – Cascade Custom Pools

San Antonio

Total Permits: 50 permits

Average Value of New Swimming Pool Construction: $48,120

Top County (based on total permits): Bexar County (36 permits)

Active pool builders: ~25

Top three swimming pool builders (based on total permits): #1 – Keith Zars Pools; #2 – James Riggs; #3 – Blue Haven Pools

Texas Top Home Builders – May 2019

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the HBW database, the latest construction permit data and leading builders in the Lone Star State during the month of May 2019

Based on the latest review of the HBW database and new residential construction permit data from Texas, there was an excess of 5,800 housing starts with a total construction value of approximately $1.4 billion last month. Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio), Houston held the greatest amount of new residential construction permits (2,343 permits), while the highest average value of new construction took place in Dallas (average value: $287,670).

Here is a look at the latest residential construction activity and leading builders by area for the month of May in Texas:

Houston

Last month, the greatest volume of new residential construction could be found in the Houston area where there were 2,343 housing starts holding a total construction value of nearly $483 million. The average value of construction was $206,084, and more than half of all new construction took place in Harris County (1,254 permits).

Out of the more than 305 active builders on file last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1 – K Hovnanian Homes	200	$ 27,878,853.00
2 – Lennar Homes	182	$ 31,263,574.00
3 – Taylor Morrison Homes	134	$ 23,224,531.00
4 – Perry Homes	126	$ 30,185,790.00
5 – KB Homes	100	$ 17,303,800.00

Dallas

Dallas ranked #2 for new residential construction having nearly 1,810 new permits with a total construction value of approximately $520 million on file last month. As previously mentioned, the average value of construction was highest in Dallas at $287,670, and the counties with the greatest concentration of housing starts included Dallas County (425 permits) and Tarrant County (493 permits).

Out of the 250 active home builders in the Dallas area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file with HBW:

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1 – D.R. Horton	254	$ 54,762,521.00
2 – Lennar Homes	149	$ 34,151,048.00
3 – Pulte Homes	90	$ 20,142,040.00
4 – Highland Homes	81	$ 27,690,069.00
5 – Bloomfield Homes	67	$ 20,275,723.00

Austin

Last month, there were nearly 1,235 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $310 million in Austin. The average value of construction was on the higher end of the spectrum coming in at $251,243, and the bulk of all new construction activity originated from Travis County (822 permits).

Out of the more than 120 active home builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits		Total Value
1 – D.R. Horton		111	$ 21,946,815.00
2 – Lennar Homes		98	$ 20,435,353.00
3 – Pulte Homes		85	$ 23,590,050.00
4 – Urbana Homes		67	$ 7,250,293.00
5 – Gehan Homes		58	$ 18,789,385.00

San Antonio

In San Antonio, there were approximately 425 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $88 million during the month of May. The average value of construction was on the lower end of the spectrum (average value: $207,203), and more than half of all new permits originated from Bexar County (291 permits).

Out of the more than 80 active home builders in the area, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits last month:

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1 – Continental Homes of Texas	52	$ 13,042,485.00
2 – Lennar Homes	52	$ 7,027,330.00
3 – Fieldstone Communities SA	52	$ 5,279,890.00
4 – KB Homes	45	$ 9,154,615.00
5 – Bella Vista CMI	31	$ 8,546,162.00

Keeping Employees Engaged in a Tight Labor Market

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Erika Carruth

In a tight labor market, construction business owners are looking for more ways to keep employees engaged.

It is no secret that skilled laborers and experienced construction professionals are hard to find. Candidate searching can be competitive to say the least, and it is not uncommon to face high turnover which can be both time consuming and costly. According to an article posted by Forbes last year, the cost of employee turnover can be much higher than most business owners expect: “Off-the-shelf estimates are available, which might set the cost of an entry-level position turning over at 50 percent of salary; mid-level at 125 percent of salary; and senior executive over 200 percent of salary.”

While actual costs of employee turnover are specific to each business, it is important to know that the impact is real and ultimately affects the bottom line. For this reason, here are a few ways to keep your current employees engaged, and perhaps open the door to attracting new talent:

Invite Feedback – Nobody likes negative criticism, but constructive criticism and feedback are essential for a growing business, especially from employees. Employees are the heart of every business, and it is important to create a company culture where team members feel safe (and welcome) to provide feedback about working conditions, new programs, peer performance, etc. Get in a regular habit of asking your employees for feedback, what’s working and what’s not. If you want to keep employees engaged, you must keep your finger on the pulse and communication open.
Set Goals – Without direction, short and long-term goals, your team is just moving, not progressing. It is important that every department and individual have clear and defined goals. A company and crews cannot possibly pursue excellence without a clear idea of what they are seeking to achieve. By setting well-defined workforce goals, you will establish the foundation for organizational success. While goals should engage, motivate and even inspire employees, they should be realistic and attainable and help every employee reach his/her own personal potential. Individual goals should align directly with the overall company goals so that all team members are working to achieve the broader goals of the company. When employees reach milestones, they should be recognized, and everyone should have an understanding for how their personal successes contribute to the overall success of the company. This can be done through recognition at team meetings, reward programs, bonuses and awards.
Let Them Grow – Beyond a career, many employees are seeking new opportunity. Such opportunity can come in the form of new responsibility, education, or promises of a higher position or department. Don’t shy away from exposing employees to new responsibilities and educational opportunities. By empowering your employees, you will empower your business.

Ways to Improve Safety Manuals

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Erika Carruth

If you are in construction, then you know the importance of safety on the job site. In order to ensure that all team members are prepared and following safety guidelines, training and safety policies and procedures must be easily accessible, easy to understand and updated with the latest standards and information.

When looking at your own safety policies for your crews, do you find that they easy to understand? Consider this: According to a report from the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), more than 30 percent of construction worker training materials are written above an eighth-grade reading levels, which is above the recommended ceiling suggested by communication experts.

The report was based on 103 safety training handouts, brochures and safety data sheets, and researchers identified several materials containing language that was either too technical or simply unfamiliar to most readers. So, how does a construction business owner ensure that their safety materials are suitable and properly written at a level that can be understood by their crew members? Researchers from the CPWR report recommend that authors of such materials include the following:

Focus – The materials should be written to focus on a single, main message. With too much text, the primary message can get lost in the shuffle.
Call to Action – The written materials should use just one “call to action” for workers.
Provide a Summary – The report suggests that the main message be summarized at the start of the document and should use “clear and informative subheadings and bold print to reinforce key points.”
Break it Down – Ultimately, recommended actions should do more than just state preventative and/or corrective actions. Rather, recommended actions should include a clear break down, step-by-step, of instructions for recommended behaviors.

The study by CPWR was published online last year in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. In the post, they concluded that safety and health professionals preparing curricula and handouts for distribution to workers should incorporate some form of readability and suitability assessment to help ensure that written materials are clear and comprehensible to all segments of their audience.

Safety training and materials are only effective when understood and applied. By making sure your safety training, policies and procedures are clear and written at an appropriate reading level, you will have more informed and safer crews on the job.