It depends on what you'd like from this. If you want them to have something that reminds them of you or your office, then it depends on how useful the swag is for them and if it relates to something you want them to know.
What we've found at Princeton is that swag is most impactful if there are choices, it's optional, it is something that is likely going to be used often AND if it relates to a message.
A few examples:
- Handing out reusable cups or utensils with the message that they are intended to be reused to reduce waste from disposables.
- Fidget devices with a message about relieving stress to increase safety.
- Laptop camera covers with a message about keeping data safe, not just physical safety.
- Sewing kits with a message about preparedness (even for a lost button)
- Clif bars and cans of water with a message about always keeping water and a snack with you in case of an unexpected delay or emergency (we put stickers with a message about preparedness on each)
Regarding choice, when we have our safety fairs and campaigns, we often give out a card with the URL of our Safety Store where they can choose one free, EHS branded item, including mugs, insulated water bottles, bound notebooks, phone chargers, plush tigers wearing EHS lab coats, etc.
Our students get a lot of swag, and several years ago, the campus pulled back on this, not for financial savings, but because students so often tossed out, unused, the vast majority of it.
Best,
Robin
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Robin M. Izzo, M.S. h ‘21
Assistant Vice President
Environmental Health and Safety
Princeton University
262 Alexander Street
Princeton, NJ 08544
609-258-6259 (office)
609-865-7156 (mobile)
Please visit the EHS website at ehs.princeton.edu <http://ehs.princeton.edu/>; and the Emergency Management website at emergency.princeton.edu <http://emergency.princeton.edu/>;
she/her/hers
On 10/21/22, 11:20 AM, "ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety on behalf of Ralph Stuart" <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU on behalf of ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**KEENE.EDU> wrote:
I’m giving a presentation next week to Keene’s State upper class course on safety training.
One question that I’d like to address during the presentation is whether "safety training swag" has value. Over the years, programs I have been involved in have given away a variety of things for people to take with them after training, including:
- paper handouts of the presentation
- paper summaries of the key points of the content
- certificates of training
- lab gloves
- magnets with pithy sayings and/or key phone numbers to place on lab equipment
- opportunities to win gift certificates for food at the campus facilities
- EHS branded trinkets
Beyond food at the event itself, none of these seem to have much impact on the audience, either at the time or over the longer period. I wonder if anyone knows of any studies that have assessed the value of this practice?
Thanks for any help with this.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
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