HOW OBSERVANT ARE YOU?

This is a quick and meaningful exercise that demonstrates people often dont pay attention to familiar items. WHEN TO USE THIS EXERCISE This exercise is excellent to use when you want to emphasize the difference between looking at something and actually seeing something. The exercise makes the participants more aware of the powers of observation. This exercise can be used to compliment training in the areas of: Behavioural Safety Task Observation Hazard Identification Risk Assessment.

DURATION Allow 5 to 10 minutes. MATERIALS REQUIRED Pen and paper for each participant. Some preparation is required. Preparation involves the facilitator identifying three or more easily visible items or signs that the participants are likely to see on a regular basis e.g. safety signs at the entrance to the worksite. HOW TO RUN THIS EXERCISE STEP 1 Ask the participants questions about the three or more items you identified in the preparation for this exercise. For example: When you approach the main entrance there is a large sign on the left hand side of the gate. What does this sign say? Have the participants write their answers on a sheet of paper. After you have asked all the questions you have prepared, go through the answers with the participants and have them mark their responses correct or incorrect. Conduct the group discussion.

STEP 2

STEP 3

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR GROUP DISCUSSION Unless people specifically look at things with the intention of noticing what they are looking at then it is unlikely that they will be able to recall certain information later on. This has important implications for safety. For example, people may not adhere to warning signs or danger signs if they have not paid attention to them. Examples of discussion questions include: Did you have trouble answering any of these questions? Why did you have trouble recalling information that you see frequently? Is it possible that other information in the workplace also goes unnoticed? What implications does this have for safety in the workplace? How can we make people more aware of information on safety signs and notice boards?

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