Clear communication is critical to any successful organization. It reduces misunderstandings, conflict and lost time.
A well rounded communication system that is integrated within the workplace obviously assures safety and productivity. When reports are relayed in real-time, organizations can minimize the fallout of any serious or minor incidents.
Radio etiquette is an essential aspect in workplace communication. Radio communication has been widely used for decades and still remains to be one of the more commonly used technologies across most industries due to it’s simplicity and ability to communicate across a wide scale of indivudals, quickly. However, it may not be enough to use a radio without knowing the right ways to communicate with it. Some workers are required to actually earn a radio certification prior to work.
The Four Tips
Being that proper communication can determine the severity of a situation and its following response, we’ve created a list of how to practice good workplace radio ediquette.
- Know what needs to be said, before you say it. Simple but can require a little more thought than you might initially imagine. Your message must be clear, short and accurate with more emphasis on the details. If you’re warning a crane operator that a crewmember just unknowingly entered the path of the load putting himself in imminent danger, all that you need to say might just be “Emergency Stop.” You can explain your rationale to the operator once the threat is addressed.
- Always check if your radio is working. Run radio checks twice a day, once in the moring and once after lunch. The last thing you need is a crewmember going off site with his radio switched off and forgetting to turn it back on when gets back.
- Avoid meddling with messages that are not for you. It will only add confusion to the messages being sent. Wait if it is your name being called before you respond. However, this does not mean you should ignore any message! You never know when someone else’s message will become relevant to you.
- Use call signs. Maverick and Goose are less common than John and can cut down on confusion in a pinch.
- Know the phonetic alphabet. Spelling out the words is crucial for understanding and obtaining accurate information. Memorizing the military’s recognized version isn’t necessary, just make sure you have something in mind for each letter and that you use it!
Think of some other tips? Let us know on social media!
