27 / 29
Occupational Health 2018
Journal of Nursing and Health Studies
ISSN: 2574-2825
Page 48
May 28-29, 2018
London, UK
4
th
Edition of International Conference on
Occupational Health and
Safety
T
he millennial generation is the most technically advanced age
segment to join the workforce. Statistically, since younger
workers are more at risk of accidents and workplace injuries,
they are also the age group at greatest risk in occupational safety
and health (OSH) terms. Given this, millennials struggle to take
seriously the low-tech, top-heavy communication channels
used by OSH professionals. Used to immediate responses, 140
character communications, shares, likes and visual imagery, this
group of workers does not take time to read the ubiquitous safety
notices on a pin board behind greying glass. This paper suggests
that the Facebook and Twitter social media community rapidly
building around ‘safety fails’ offers a novel channel for engaging
this audience. The challenge is to harness a popular culture of
compromised safety values to build a cohesive and inclusive
conversation around ways to keep young people safe at work.
Biography
Kelly Jaunzems is a PhD candidate in Edith Cowan’s School of Arts and
Humanities. Following an extensive career in hospitality, food and beverage
management, in Britain and Australia, she confirmed her desire to engage
in in-depth research via a Masters in Occupational Health and Safety.
This two years of intensive study, drew her attention to the fact that OHS
communication practices have generally advanced little over the past
quarter century. Her PhD research explores the reasons why this might
be and constructs a framework through which conservative practitioners
within the OHS profession might feel empowered to use social media.
k.jaunzems@ecu.edu.auTweeting safety: likes, posts and social engagement
Kelly Jaunzems
Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley, Australia
Kelly Jaunzems, J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C2-005