I successfully revamped mine by basing it around a series of staged photos taken on site showing unsafe things going on, each representing a hazard that people need to know how to deal with. For each photo, I ask the participants to identify what is wrong and then explain what should happen instead. For some of the photos, I challenge the participants by making comments along the lines of 'But it's OK, because ...' and they defeat these excuses. It's been successful in getting interaction. The most popular slide (which nearly always gets a laugh) shows me pointing a paint gun at my face.

At the end of the photos I say "and that's why we have the site rules."

I have always taken the view less is more. So I would focus on instruction and information. In other words, what will keep the guys safe, healthy and reasonably comfortable at work. For example, site rules, location of welfare facilities, first aid and any special working practices or environmental issues.

When I did inductions I would always ask the chaps what their trade is and try to focus on those elements whilst engaging with them. Q&A session normally at the end of the presentation, but I would respond to any burning questions during the presentation.

What I do not like to see is are slides telling people how to dig an excavation, climb a ladder, drive a dumper truck, etc. This is in fact 'training' which should not be part of an induction, nor should there e any 'coroporate' nonsense e.g. a message from the CEO - yuk!