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Health and Safety Videos: Understanding “I Don’t Know, I Don’t Know”

Have you ever looked at a warning sign and thought to yourself, “Why would there even be a warning sign for this? Who would think of doing such a thing?” Take, for example, the classic sign on many chainsaws that reads, “Do not hold the wrong end of the chainsaw.” At first glance, it might seem painstakingly obvious, almost comical. Who would ever think to grab the cutting end of a chainsaw? But if we take a moment to think about it, we realise that this sign exists because, at some point, someone—perhaps more than one person—did just that. And it likely happened enough times for it to become a widely recognised safety warning. While it might seem like common sense to us now, at one point, the knowledge simply was not there. This ties directly to Donald Rumsfeld’s famous phrase, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” In the context of health and safety video planning, this concept reflects the unpredictable and often unseen risks that safety training must address. Just as the “wrong end of the chainsaw” incident led to a new safety measure, health and safety video creators must prepare for the “unknown unknowns”—the potential risks we might not anticipate but still need to address. This article investigates how the phrase ‘I don’t know, I don’t know’ applies to health and safety training videos, highlighting the necessity of frequent updates as new hazards and regulations emerge. 

Rethinking Risk Through Rumsfeld’s Lens

The phrase “I don’t know, I don’t know” was famously coined by Donald Rumsfeld, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense, during a press briefing in 2002. His exact words were:

“There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

This statement was meant to highlight the complexities of decision-making, especially in environments where uncertainty reigns, such as military operations or crisis management. However, its broader applicability extends far beyond that, touching on the fields of risk management, safety protocols, and, notably, health and safety training in workplaces.

The Three Knowledge Categories

To break this down further, Rumsfeld’s words can be categorised into three types of knowledge, which help frame the unpredictability of scenarios:

1. Known Knowns: These are the facts and risks we are fully aware of and can plan for. In health and safety, these are the risks that are well-documented and standard in any training programme. For example, machinery safety, fire drills, and basic first-aid protocols fall into this category.
2. Known Unknowns: These are risks we recognise, but we may not fully understand or have detailed solutions for. These could be potential hazards that have been identified but have not yet been addressed or regulated. For instance, new machinery technologies might present unforeseen risks that have not been widely documented.
3. Unknown Unknowns: These represent the greatest level of uncertainty—things we are completely unaware of and cannot predict. These are the factors that often only become apparent after an incident has occurred, or through the advancement of new technologies and standards. An example might be a new virus outbreak in the workplace or a novel hazard introduced by new tools or materials that were not previously considered a risk.

Why Rumsfeld Said These Words

Rumsfeld’s phrase gained notoriety in the context of the Iraq War, where intelligence failures led to misunderstandings about weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The phrase aimed to express the complexity of military strategy when dealing with uncertain information, underlining that some risks cannot be predicted and, therefore, are difficult to prepare for. This perspective is highly relevant to the development of health and safety protocols in industries where new risks and regulations emerge frequently, and where unforeseen circumstances (such as an unexpected pandemic) can introduce entirely new safety concerns.

The Application of “I Don’t Know, I Don’t Know” to Health and Safety Videos

Health and safety videos serve as vital tools in the workplace to educate employees on how to deal with various known risks. However, the need for flexibility and the ability to update these videos is essential to keeping up with new risks—particularly when considering “unknown unknowns.” For example, safety videos might cover standard machinery operations, proper lifting techniques, or emergency evacuation plans, but these will need to evolve as new risks or regulations arise.

As companies update their operations to keep up with new hazards, health and safety videos must also adapt. The inclusion of the unknown unknowns into training content—whether through new hazard identification or adjustments in compliance with fresh regulations—demands regular video content revisions.

The Known Knowns and Their Role in Health and Safety Videos

Health and safety training videos should always address the most common and established risks—the known knowns—which form the backbone of any safety programme. These include:

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The use of gloves, helmets, and other gear is essential in nearly every workplace. Videos must clearly show employees the proper way to wear and use each item.
2. Emergency Procedures: Fire drills, evacuation plans, and first-aid instructions should be included to ensure quick, effective responses during emergencies.
3. Common Hazards: Workplace risks, such as slips, falls, and equipment accidents, should be universally covered in videos, ensuring that employees are prepared for the most likely scenarios.
4. Compliance with Standard Safety Regulations: Video training should explain the relevant safety standards for each industry (e.g., OSHA standards, OSHA compliance).

The Unknown Unknowns: Emerging Hazards and the Need for Ongoing Updates

The concept of unknown unknowns is particularly important when we consider the constantly evolving nature of workplace safety. New technologies, regulatory changes, and unforeseen events often introduce risks that were not previously considered. For instance:

• New Technologies: In manufacturing or construction, the introduction of advanced machinery or AI-driven tools can bring unforeseen risks that were not accounted for in initial safety videos. For instance, autonomous vehicles used in warehouses pose new challenges for safety training, as the risks surrounding them are not fully understood yet​.
  
• Environmental Changes: Environmental factors, such as climate change, have brought new hazards to industries that were once considered safe. For example, the rise in extreme weather events requires updates in how to handle floods or high winds on construction sites​.
  
• Health Risks: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how rapidly new health threats can emerge, forcing organisations to update their training content to include new safety measures, sanitation protocols, and social distancing guidelines​.

The Advancement of Technology: Introducing New Layers of Unknown Unknowns

Technological advancements across industries further complicate safety planning. As new tools, machinery, and systems are introduced, so too are new risks—many of which may not become apparent until after they have been deployed.

For example, automated machinery in warehouses or production lines has revolutionised industries, but these tools bring new, previously unconsidered risks—like how employees might interact with robots or what happens when the automation fails. These technological changes necessitate continuous updates to safety training videos to incorporate emerging risks.

Another example is the development of wearable technologies (such as exoskeletons or smart helmets) used in manufacturing and construction. These devices might reduce some risks (e.g., back injuries), but could also create new risks related to long-term wear, malfunctioning, or reliance on the devices for safety, which were not part of the original safety training videos​.

Conclusion: Continuous Evolution of Health and Safety Videos

Health and safety training videos must be seen as dynamic, not static tools. As organisations introduce new technologies, face shifting regulations, or experience novel hazards, their training content must evolve accordingly. By revising videos regularly to reflect the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns, companies can ensure that their employees are always prepared for the unforeseen dangers that may arise in their workplaces. This proactive approach helps businesses stay compliant and—more importantly—protect their workers by keeping safety training relevant, comprehensive, and updated. By addressing both the known and unknown risks, health and safety videos help create a culture of preparedness and adaptability, reducing the chances of accidents and injuries in environments where safety is paramount.

If you have been wondering whether to transition from outdated PowerPoint presentations to impactful videos, or if your current safety videos need updates, let Rumsfeld’s insight be your call to action. The rapid pace of technological advancements and evolving workplace hazards demands regular updates to keep training relevant. Videos engage learners more effectively than text-based materials, making them a valuable investment in workplace safety. Partnering with a video production company ensures your training evolves with industry changes, helping safeguard your workforce and your organisation’s future.

Stay ahead with Sound Idea Digital’s health and safety videos, customised to your industry and updated regularly. Contact us and start improving workplace safety today.

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