Anglo American

Innovative use of broadcast-length drama video to change workplace behaviour, with the aim of reducing injury and deaths at mines.

“I would like to show it to my colleagues internally as probably the best example of behavioural communication that I have seen in my 10 years in the industry.”

Chamber of Mines, Behavioural Change Specialist

“The finished simulation is really good – an awesome job.” – Anglo American, Safety Manager


The challenge:

Health and safety is critically important in the mining industry, where lives are literally on the line. Anglo American, passionate in their pursuit of a ‘zero harm’ goal among 87,000 staff worldwide, chose a broadcast-length drama video, that probed safety issues, while increasing empathy for co-workers.

The solution:

  • Flew a small crew from the UK to South Africa to film at a real working mine – something almost unheard of in Learning & Development.
  • Portrayed, through video, the fictional story of an investigation into a mine fatality, which followed the site manager’s moving journey of reflection.
  • Explored all of the influencing factors that contributed to on-site incidents and created a common framework through which change conversations could take place.
  • Along with the drama video, LEO Learning created a more traditional branching scenario video aimed at front-line staff as well as e-learning. These formed part of a blended learning programme for the mining organisation.