Action Hunt Slides Action Verb Hunt
Isolating the Instruction in the Workplace
Unit: Vocational Safety Steps
Workplace "Fluff"
The Manager Says:
"Hey there, hope your morning is going well. Listen, when you get a second, I noticed the floor in Aisle 4 is a bit of a mess with some sawdust, so if you could just grab the broom and sweep that up before the big delivery arrives at noon, that would be great, thanks!"
What is the ONE thing you need to do?
SWEEP
Everything else is just "fluff" that fills up your working memory.
The Action Command
What is it?
The Action Verb is the physical movement you must make to complete the task.
Usually only 1 or 2 words
Tells you what to DO
Clears the mental clutter
STACK
EMPTY
FILE
WIPE
How to Filter
1
Listen for the "Nouns"
Find the objects first (box, shelf, counter, floor).
2
Listen for the "Action"
What is happening to that object? (Move the box, clean the counter).
3
Ignore the "Polite Stuff"
Words like "If you can," "Whenever you have time," or "How was your day?" are fluff.
The Manager's Game
I will read a long, confusing workplace request.
Listen
Filter
ACT!
Verb Filter Worksheet Vocational Safety Steps
Verb Filter Workshop
Name:
Date:
Mission Objective
Workplace instructions can be full of "fluff"—extra words that don't tell you what to do. Your job is to find the Action Verb. This is the one word that describes the physical movement you need to perform.
Scenario 1: Loading Dock
"Hey, great job on the inventory. Look, we have those empty wooden pallets sitting by the gate. If you have a minute after your break, could you stack them over by the fence so the truck can pull in?"
Action Verb:
Scenario 2: Break Room
"The inspector is coming by later this afternoon. I noticed the break room counters are looking a little sticky, so could you grab the spray and wipe them down real quick before lunch?"
Action Verb:
Scenario 3: Tool Cage
"We're finished with the repairs for now. When you're done cleaning up your area, please return the power drills to their charging stations in the cage."
Action Verb:
The Fluff Test
Why is it dangerous to listen to the "fluff" when you are working with heavy machinery or safety equipment?
A supervisor gives you a 3-sentence instruction. What should you do with the first 2 sentences if they don't have an action verb?
Property of Vocational Training Simulation Lab — Use for educational purposes only.
Memory Echo Slides Memory Echo
Techniques for Verbal Rehearsal
Lesson 2: Holding the Info
The 15-Second Rule
Without practice, a new instruction starts to "fade" in your brain after only 15 seconds.
"Go to the tool room and grab the..."
Wait, what was it?
The Solution?
Turn on the Echo
The Silent Echo
Subvocalization
This is "silent talking." You move your throat and mouth as if you are speaking, but no sound comes out.
Keeps your brain's "language loop" active.
Prevents other thoughts from entering.
Try it now:
Repeat this silently to yourself while I count to 10:
STACK THE BOXES
The Verbal Loop
Hear it.
Say it.
Do it.
1
Repeat the instruction out loud as you walk to the task.
2
Continue saying it softly while you perform the physical action.
3
Stop the loop only when the task is 100% finished.
Memory Relay
I will give you one object and one destination.
You must use the Verbal Loop to get it there without stopping your "echo."
Starting Now!
Rehearsal Practice Log Working Memory Support
Rehearsal Practice Log
Name:
Technique A
SUBVOCALIZATION
Repeat the command silently in your mouth/throat. No sound.
Technique B
THE VERBAL LOOP
Repeat the command out loud or in a whisper until the task is done.
Task Assigned Technique Used Did you forget? Task Complete?
Silent
Loud
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Silent
Loud
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Silent
Loud
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Self-Check
Which technique helped you remember the task best? Why?
Verification Protocol Slides The Pause
Verification Protocol
Stop
Listen
Repeat
Verify
Why Slow Down?
In many jobs, being fast is less important than being accurate.
Risk Scenarios
Mixing wrong chemicals
Cutting the wrong wire
Entering a restricted zone
The Rule
"Accuracy saves lives. Speed kills focus."
The Setup
1
STOP
As soon as you hear your name or see a supervisor, stop all movement. Put tools down. Face the person.
2
LISTEN
Wait for the whole instruction. Do not start moving until the speaker has stopped talking completely.
The Confirmation
3
REPEAT
Say it back:
4
VERIFY
Wait for them to say "Correct" or "Yes."
Incident Report #402
A worker in the warehouse was told to "Check the lock" on the freezer door. Instead, they opened the door, causing $1,000 worth of food to spoil.
What went wrong in the communication protocol?
Verification Gap Case Study Incident Analysis
The Verification Gap
Worker Name:
Mission Statement:
Below is a true-to-life scenario where a worker missed a critical step in the Stop-Listen-Repeat-Verify protocol. Identify where the protocol failed and how to fix it.
!
Scenario: The Wrong Chemical
The Manager: "Hey Alex, we're out of the standard floor cleaner. Use the bottle in the blue cabinet under the sink, but make sure you dilute it with water first—one cup of cleaner per gallon. It's concentrated."
Alex (Worker): Alex was already halfway to the sink while the manager was talking. He heard 'blue cabinet' and 'under the sink'. Alex shouted, "Got it, boss!" as he opened the cabinet.
The Result: Alex didn't hear the part about diluting the cleaner. He poured the concentrated chemical directly on the linoleum floor, which ate through the wax and ruined the finish.
01 Which protocol step did Alex miss first?
Stop
Listen
Repeat
Verify
02 What would a correct "Repeat" look like for this task?
03 Why did "Got it, boss!" fail as a verification?
Simulation Unit: Verification Protocol Form ID: ACC-INC-402
Safety Signal Slides Signal Scan
Reading the Visual Workplace
Lesson 4: Visual Cues
Why Use Visuals?
In a loud or busy workplace, you might not hear instructions.
The Advantage:
Works even when it's noisy
Doesn't fade like a spoken word
Instant single-step command
Scanning
Your eyes must constantly "scan" for safety signals before you start any physical movement.
Safety Signal Types
CAUTION
Warnings about hazards like wet floors or sharp edges.
BE AWARE
MANDATORY
Actions you MUST take, like wearing goggles or gloves.
MUST DO
PROHIBITED
Actions that are strictly forbidden in this area.
DO NOT DO
Universal Icons
Wear Helmet
Wear Goggles
Ear Protection
Wear Gloves
High Voltage
No Open Fire
Exit Route
Medical Kit
Scan Before You Step
Before doing any physical action, your eyes must find the nearest safety sign.
Sign + Action = Safety
Signal Hunt Worksheet Visual Compliance
Signal Hunt
Name:
Environment Scan
In a real workplace, you won't always be told what to do out loud. You must scan for visual instructions. For each icon below, write the One-Word Action required.
Mandatory Action
Your Action:
Warning Signal
Your Action:
Prohibited Area
Your Action:
Safe Exit
Your Action:
Workplace Scenarios
"You walk into the 'Loading Dock' and see a yellow triangle sign with a picture of a forklift on it. The forklift is currently moving pallets."
What is your immediate single-step action?
"You are asked to go into the 'High Noise Zone' to retrieve a package. On the door, there is a blue circle icon with a picture of ear muffs."
What is your immediate single-step action?
Safety First Training Series © 2026
Work Day Slides Work Day
Vocational Circuit Simulation
Simulation Day Final Mastery Evaluation
The Code of Conduct
1
Follow ONE instruction at a time. No jumping ahead.
2
Use your Memory Echo (Subvocalization) while moving.
3
Use the Pause-Verify Protocol for every command.
Priority #1
Accuracy
Your Shift Schedule
Station A:
Stocking
Sorting and organizing items based on specific single-step requests.
Station B:
Sanitation
Cleaning specific surfaces using designated safety equipment.
Station C:
Logistics
Filing and routing paperwork to the correct departments.
Listening for the "Click"
The simulation only moves forward when you and the supervisor "click."
Click = Supervisor says command → You verify → Supervisor confirms → You act.
Verify the Verb
Verify the Object
Verify the Safety
Let's Get Hired!
Success today means showing that you can be trusted with one step at a time.
Report to Stations
Simulation Facilitation Guide Teacher Resource
Simulation Guide
Supervisor Script
Equipment Needed
Empty boxes/crates (Station A)
Cleaning spray & microfiber (Station B)
Folders & labeled bins (Station C)
Safety goggles & gloves
Instruction Strategy
The supervisor should intentionally use "fluff" in their verbal delivery. The student's goal is to identify the core action verb and object, then use the verification protocol.
Station Supervisor Verbal Script (The "Fluff") Target Action Stocking (A) "I noticed these boxes are all over the floor and it's looking pretty messy. When you have a second, could you just stack those three crates over by the back wall for me?" STACK CRATES Sanitation (B) "Before the next shift starts, we really need the surfaces sanitized. If you could grab the blue spray, I'd like you to wipe down the main counter where the coffee is." WIPE COUNTER Logistics (C) "These shipping labels came in this morning and they need to be organized. Can you file these yellow invoices into the bin marked 'Pending Orders'?" FILE INVOICES
Performance Rubric
Wait/Listen
Did they stop moving and face the speaker?
Filtering
Did they ignore the 'fluff' and find the verb?
Verify
Did they repeat the command for confirmation?
Execute
Did they perform the exact single-step action?
Confidential Teacher Material Unit: Vocational Compliance
