How to Make a Safety Video: 5 Steps for Compliance (2026 Guide)

Did you know that companies with strong safety cultures experience up to 70% fewer incidents? In today's work environment, ensuring employee safety is not just an ethical imperative but also a legal requirement. A well-produced safety video is one of the most effective tools for training, reinforcing best practices, and fostering a culture of safety. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to creating safety videos that are engaging, informative, and compliant with the latest regulations.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a compelling and effective safety video, from planning and scripting to filming and distribution. You'll learn how to leverage the latest AI-powered tools to enhance your video's impact and ensure compliance in 2026 and beyond. Let's dive in!

Before you even think about cameras or scripts, you need to clearly define the purpose of your safety video. What specific hazards are you addressing? What behaviors are you trying to change? Who is your target audience?

• Identify the specific safety issue: Is it fall protection, fire safety, hazard communication, or something else? Clearly defining the topic will help you focus your message.
• Determine your learning objectives: What should viewers know or be able to do after watching the video? Make these objectives specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Know your audience: Consider their background, experience level, and learning preferences. Tailor your message and delivery to resonate with them. Are they primarily visual learners? Are they more engaged by humor or a serious tone?

Once you have a clear understanding of your objectives and audience, it's time to develop a script and storyboard. The script provides the narrative, while the storyboard visualizes the scenes.

• Develop a compelling script: Start with a hook to grab viewers' attention. Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon. Incorporate real-life scenarios and relatable characters to make the content more engaging.
• Create a storyboard: Visualize each scene in your video. This will help you plan your shots, camera angles, and visual elements. A storyboard helps you stay on track and ensures visual consistency.
• Incorporate visuals: Use a mix of live-action footage, animations, and graphics to illustrate key points. Visuals can help to clarify complex concepts and keep viewers engaged.

The production phase involves filming your video and editing it into a polished final product. Here’s how to make the most of this phase:

• Choose the right equipment: Use high-quality cameras and microphones to ensure clear visuals and audio. Consider using professional lighting equipment to create a well-lit and visually appealing video.
• Follow your storyboard: Stick to your storyboard to ensure that you capture all the necessary shots. Pay attention to composition, lighting, and sound quality.
• Edit your footage: Use video editing software to assemble your footage, add transitions, and incorporate graphics and animations. Ensure that your video is well-paced and engaging.

In 2026, AI is revolutionizing video creation. Percify offers a suite of AI-powered tools that can help you create more effective and engaging safety videos.

• AI Avatars: Use Percify's AI avatars to create virtual instructors who can deliver safety messages in a variety of languages and accents. This can help you reach a diverse audience and ensure that everyone understands the content.
• Voice Cloning: Clone your own voice or use one of Percify's AI-generated voices to narrate your video. This can save you time and money on voice-over artists.
• Automated Video Generation: Percify can automatically generate videos from your scripts and storyboards, saving you time and effort. Simply provide your content, and Percify will handle the rest.

Imagine you need to create a safety video on forklift operation. Before Percify, you'd need to hire actors, rent equipment, and spend days filming and editing. With Percify, you can create a realistic AI avatar of a forklift operator, use voice cloning to narrate the video in multiple languages, and generate the entire video in a matter of hours. This not only saves time and money but also ensures consistency and accuracy.

Creating a great safety video is only half the battle. You also need to ensure that it reaches your target audience and that its impact is measured.

• Choose the right distribution channels: Share your video on your company intranet, learning management system (LMS), and social media channels. Consider hosting live webinars or workshops to discuss the video content and answer questions.
• Track your results: Use analytics to track the number of views, completion rates, and engagement metrics. This will help you assess the effectiveness of your video and identify areas for improvement.
• Gather feedback: Ask viewers for feedback on the video content and delivery. Use this feedback to refine your future safety videos.

A manufacturing company implemented a new safety video on machine guarding procedures. Before the video, they experienced an average of three machine-related incidents per month. After implementing the video and tracking its impact, they saw a 50% reduction in incidents within the first three months. This demonstrates the power of a well-produced and effectively distributed safety video.

Creating a compelling and effective safety video is an investment in your employees' well-being and your company's success. By following these five steps and leveraging the latest AI-powered tools, you can create videos that are engaging, informative, and compliant with the latest regulations. Consider exploring Percify's AI avatar and video generation capabilities to streamline your safety video creation process. What safety message will you share with the world today?