Archive for March, 2010

Some of the How do you know?
development team.

An interactive approach to Food Industry communication and safety

From Gordon Institute of TAFE:

Promotion packs of the “How do you know?”, Literacy in the Workplace resource were distributed in early October 2009 across Australia to 38 TAFEs and 45 RTOs listed/registered on the NTIS as delivering Food Processing training. The promotion packs were one off and funded through the project. Any additional copies requested will be in CDRom format as they are more cost effective for providers.

The resource is listed on LiteracyNet website.

Introducing:

An interactive approach to Food Industry communication and safety

This resource was funded under the Workplace English Language and Literacy Program by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and was developed by Gordon Institute of TAFE.

How do you know? is an interactive multi-media learning tool specifically aimed at the language and literacy skills that underpin the communication units within the Food Processing Training Package. The resource kit uses a 12 process step format to guide a new worker or learner through a Food Industry workplace task. The resource also includes specific support materials including:

• Spoken language
• Signs
• Instructions
• SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
• Body language
• Forms
• Checklists and grids.

The CDRom includes strategies aimed at developing language and literacy skills, including audio and graphical support for text, simple navigation, clear space, clear and concise use of language and sequencing of ideas.

Copies of the resource on CDRom (which includes PDFs of all the guides and learner workbook) are available for purchase at a minimal cost ($8.00).

To Order Contact

Gordon Institute of TAFE
Digital Media Services Department
E: dms@gordontafe.edu.au
P: 03 5225 0500

How do you know?

A case study

A medium sized dairy foods manufacturing company with approximately 50 employees of diverse cultural and language backgrounds was working with a trainer to deliver Certificate II and III Food Processing training.

The How do you know? resource provided a targetted solution to a very specific training need.

An operator from a non English speaking background was given a set of instructions by his supervisor. He understood the instructions as meaning to mix two chemicals together in a bucket and take the bucket out to the line. He proceeded to mix an acid and a caustic which resulted in the production of heat, boiling liquid and toxic fumes. Fortunately no one was injured but the potential was there for a major OHS incident.

“How do you know they know?”

As part of the incident review process, it was determined that the supervisor thought that the operator had understood the instructions.

The operator had nodded as he listened which implied he had understood. Indeed the operator himself thought he had understood the instructions correctly.

The trainer worked one on one with the operator involved using the How do you know? resource. They went through the 12 process steps of the resource to guide the operator through the workplace task. They also went through all the communication support materials with a particular focus on the section on instructions. The operator ended up developing his own set of instructions for the workplace task which included photos and simple instructions. This operator has since improved performance and is more confident in receiving instructions and performing his duties.

Through working with the How do you know? resource, the organisation has examined how supervisors and operators give and receive workplace instructions. Supervisors now ask that operators repeat the instructions back in order to ensure comprehension. Operators now know to repeat instructions back in order to check that they have understood correctly. Both the operators and supervisors feel equipped with a communication tool that ensures workplace tasks can be performed correctly and safely.