Let's face it; getting employees to pay attention to safety instructions is like trying to make a cat enjoy a bath. Reading through those endless safety manuals is not only mind-numbing, but let's be honest, most people won't remember a thing five minutes later. Enter safety games!
Yes, you heard that right.
Imagine transforming your dull safety protocols into engaging, fun activities. Think less "death by PowerPoint" and more "game night at the office." Not only do these games keep everyone awake, but they also actually help employees retain vital safety information.
In this blog, we’re diving into 20 safety games to help you realize that incorporating a bit of play into your safety training could be the best decision you make this year.
20 Safety Games and Activities
1. Safety bingo blitz
How to play: Create bingo cards with different safety-related actions or reminders in each square (e.g., "wore safety goggles," "reported a hazard"). Distribute these cards to employees and encourage them to mark off squares as they observe these actions throughout the day. The first person to get a bingo wins a small prize.
Safety bingo blitz makes safety awareness engaging. It's like regular bingo but with a twist that reinforces good safety practices. Everyone loves a good game of bingo, and it's a great way to keep everyone alert and involved in maintaining a safe work environment.
2. PPE fashion show catwalk
How to play: Host a fashion show where employees model various types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Have participants walk the runway and explain the purpose of each piece of equipment. Judges can score the presentations, and winners receive prizes.
A PPE fashion show catwalk adds a fun and creative twist to learning about essential safety gear. It helps employees become more familiar with the equipment they should be using and encourages them to take PPE seriously. Watching coworkers strut their stuff is always hilarious
3. Safety charades showdown
How to play: Write down various safety scenarios on slips of paper (e.g., "using a fire extinguisher," "performing CPR") and place them in a hat. Divide employees into teams and have them take turns drawing a slip and acting out the scenario without speaking, while their team guesses what it is.
Safety charades showdown adds a playful twist to learning important safety procedures. It encourages teamwork and creativity while reinforcing vital safety knowledge. Watching coworkers try to mime "emergency exit plan" is always entertaining.
4. Safety song parody
How to play: Challenge employees to write and perform parodies of popular songs with safety-themed lyrics. Record the performances and have a voting process to select the best ones. Offer prizes for the top performances.
This activity combines music and humor with important safety messages, making it memorable and entertaining. It encourages creativity and team spirit while reinforcing safety concepts in a fun way. Plus, who doesn’t love a good song parody?
“Hey! Team mate! Leave those unsafe things alone! All in all you’re just a ‘nother slip in the hall” 🎶
5. Safety pictionary fun
How to play: Write down various safety-related terms (e.g., "fire drill," "first aid kit," "slippery floor") on slips of paper and place them in a container. Divide employees into teams, and have them take turns drawing a term and illustrating it on a whiteboard while their team guesses.
This quick team-building game combines creativity with learning, making it an enjoyable way to reinforce safety concepts. It breaks up the monotony of regular training sessions, and the abstract drawings often lead to plenty of laughs.
6. Safety slogan contest
How to play: Encourage employees to create catchy safety slogans that promote workplace safety. Have a panel of judges select the best slogans and award prizes to the winners. Display the winning slogans around the workplace.
This activity taps into employees' creativity and gives them a sense of ownership over the safety culture. Seeing their own slogans around the workplace can be a source of pride and motivation. The next "Safety First!" slogan might just be around the corner.
7. Safety relay race
How to play: Set up a relay race course with different safety-related tasks at each station (e.g., putting on personal protective equipment, bandaging a wound, fire extinguisher drill). Divide employees into teams and have them race to complete each task as quickly as possible.
The safety relay race combines physical activity with safety training, making it a fun and dynamic way to learn. It encourages teamwork and quick thinking, all while reinforcing essential safety skills. A great way to get the blood pumping and learn.
Note: Make sure this is in an outdoor setting! We don’t want accidents whilst playing a safety-based game… Facepalm…
8. Safety poster competition
How to play: Provide materials for employees to create safety posters that highlight important safety messages or procedures. Display the posters around the workplace and have a voting process to select the best ones. Offer prizes for the top posters.
This activity promotes creativity and personal investment in workplace safety. Employees get to showcase their artistic talents while contributing to a safer work environment. The posters serve as ongoing reminders of safety practices long after the competition ends.
9. Escape room challenge
How to play: Create an escape room scenario that incorporates safety puzzles and challenges (e.g., solving a code to "unlock" a fire exit, identifying and mitigating hazards to progress). Divide employees into teams and have them work together to escape within a set time.
An escape room challenge is an immersive and engaging way to reinforce safety knowledge and teamwork. It requires problem-solving, communication, and quick thinking, all of which are crucial in emergency situations. An adrenaline-pumping way to break up the workday.
10. Safety word search
How to play: Create a word search puzzle using safety-related terms (e.g., "first aid," "PPE," "emergency"). Distribute the puzzles to employees and offer a small prize for the first person to complete it.
This quick office game is a simple yet effective way to familiarize employees with important safety vocabulary. It’s a relaxing activity that can be done during breaks, reinforcing key terms and concepts in a fun way. The satisfaction of finding that last hidden word is a great bonus.
11. Safety trivia battle
How to play: Create a list of safety-related trivia questions covering topics like fire safety, first aid, and workplace hazards. Organize a trivia contest where employees compete individually or in teams to answer the questions. Keep score and offer prizes for the top scorers.
Safety trivia battle turns learning into a competitive and enjoyable experience. It encourages employees to brush up on their safety knowledge and rewards them for their efforts. Trivia is always a crowd-pleaser and can be a great way to break up a training session.
12. Hazard hunt challenge
How to play: Organize a scavenger hunt where employees search for potential hazards in the workplace. Provide a checklist of items to find, such as trip hazards, improper storage, or blocked exits. Once found, employees report them to a supervisor or safety officer.
This game turns safety into an interactive challenge, encouraging employees to be more observant and proactive about identifying risks. It's like playing detective with the reward being a safer workplace. Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of healthy competition?
13. Safety jenga challenge
How to play: Label each block of a Jenga tower with a safety-related question or task. Players take turns removing a block and must answer the question or complete the task before adding it to the top of the tower. If the tower falls, the game starts over.
Safety Jenga combines physical and mental challenges, making it an engaging way to reinforce safety knowledge. It requires careful thought and steady hands, much like maintaining a safe work environment. The tension of the wobbling tower adds an element of excitement.
14. Emergency drill simulation
How to play: Organize a mock emergency drill where employees must respond to a simulated emergency scenario (e.g., fire, chemical spill, medical emergency). Debrief after the drill to discuss what went well and areas for improvement.
Simulations provide hands-on practice in a controlled environment, helping employees feel more confident in real emergencies. It’s a practical way to test and improve response procedures while highlighting the importance of being prepared. While this isn’t really classed as a ‘game’, it’s certainly a safety activity that could be beneficial to everyone in the event of an emergency.
15. Safety jeopardy extravaganza
How to play: Set up a Jeopardy-style game board with categories related to workplace safety (e.g., "Fire Safety," "PPE," "First Aid"). Create questions of varying difficulty and assign point values. Divide employees into teams and let them choose questions to answer for points.
Safety jeopardy extravaganza transforms safety training into an exciting game show experience. It’s an effective way to review safety policies and procedures while fostering a competitive spirit. Channeling their inner Alex Trebek, participants can both learn and have fun.
16. Safety storyboard
How to play: Provide employees with materials to create storyboards that illustrate a safety scenario and its resolution. Display the storyboards and have a voting process to select the best ones. Offer prizes for the top storyboards.
Safety storyboards combine creativity with safety awareness, making it an engaging way to discuss and visualize safety procedures. It encourages employees to think through safety scenarios and communicate them effectively. Plus, it’s a fun and artistic activity.
17. Safety scenario role-playing
How to play: Write down different safety scenarios on slips of paper (e.g., handling a chemical spill, evacuating during a fire). Employees draw a scenario and act it out while others observe and provide feedback.
To build on the last suggestion, why not roleplay the winning scenario? Role-playing allows employees to practice their responses to potential hazards in a realistic yet controlled setting. It encourages active learning and helps identify any gaps in safety protocols. Watching coworkers immerse themselves in their roles can be entertaining.
18. Safety debate
How to play: Organize a debate on various safety topics (e.g., the importance of PPE, the best ways to handle emergencies). Divide employees into teams and assign them different positions to argue. Judges score the debates and the winning team receives a prize.
Debates of any kind encourage critical thinking and effective communication in your workplace, so why not have a debate about important safety issues? They provide a platform for employees to express their views on safety and learn from each other. Plus, it’s a lively and engaging way to discuss safety.
19. Safety obstacle course
How to play: Set up an obstacle course that includes various safety challenges (e.g., wearing PPE, using a fire extinguisher, performing first aid). Employees navigate the course individually or in teams, and the fastest time wins.
This activity adds a physical element to safety training, making it dynamic and memorable. It promotes hands-on practice of essential safety skills while providing a fun and exciting challenge. Encouraging a bit of healthy competition boosts engagement.
20. Safety memory match
How to play: Create a set of cards with safety-related images or terms and their corresponding definitions or explanations. Lay the cards face down and have employees take turns flipping two cards to find matches. The player with the most matches wins.
A safety memory match game is a fun and engaging way to reinforce safety concepts and terminology. It improves memory and recall while adding a playful element to learning. A simple game that can be enjoyed by everyone, making it a great addition to training sessions.
21. Safety ‘Simon Says’
How to play: Play a game Simon says with a safety theme added to it. Choose a leader to give safety-related commands (e.g., "Simon says put on your safety goggles," "Simon says find the nearest fire exit"). Employees must only follow the commands that begin with "Simon says."
Safety Simon says is a playful way to reinforce safety habits and quick response times. It keeps employees alert and engaged while reinforcing important safety behaviors in a fun and interactive manner.
Summer might be over, but the fun isn’t!
With the summer drawing to an end, moods are sometimes low in the camp. Most will return from their summer holidays, swapping sandy beaches for concrete buildings. So, what could you do to turn those frowns upside down?
A team-building retreat, of course.
But, honestly, a lot of managers will swerve the idea of organizing a team-building retreat due to the sheer amount of logistics behind planning it all, but what if we were to tell you there's a solution?
“Tell me more!”, you scream.
Well, you could let us take care of everything for you 😉
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FAQs
1. How to plan a safety day at work?
Planning a safety day at work involves organizing activities and training sessions focused on workplace safety. Start by identifying key safety topics relevant to your workplace, schedule interactive workshops or demonstrations, and provide engaging materials like handouts or videos. Encourage participation through team challenges and reward employees with safety-related incentives.
2. What is the spot the workplace hazard game?
The spot the workplace hazard game is an interactive activity where employees identify potential hazards in a simulated or real work environment. Typically, images or actual setups with hidden hazards are used, and participants must find and point them out. This game helps raise awareness and improve hazard recognition skills in a fun and engaging way.
3. How can I make my work safety fun?
Making work safety fun can be achieved by incorporating games, challenges, and rewards into your safety programs. Use interactive activities like safety bingo, hazard hunts, or quizzes with small prizes. Hosting themed safety days, sharing funny safety videos, and encouraging friendly competition among teams can also make safety training enjoyable and memorable.
4. How to play safety bingo at work?
Safety bingo is played like regular bingo but with a safety twist. Create bingo cards with safety-related tasks or behaviors (e.g., "report a hazard," "wear PPE correctly"). Employees mark off squares as they complete tasks over a set period. The first to complete a line or full card wins a prize, promoting safe practices in a fun way.
