Video/Animation
Client
Hess Corporation (now merged with Chevron)
Topics
Process safety
Category
Video/Animation
Sectors
Energy
Video
Overview
Hess, a global energy company, commissioned a bespoke animated film to help align employees across its operations with the principles of process safety. Created as part of their Global Safety Appreciation Day, the video was designed to speak to every employee, no matter their location or job title.
The film served a dual purpose. It acknowledged the contributions of frontline teams while offering clear and accessible education on what process safety is and how it applies across the business. By using 2D animation, professional voiceover, music, and sound design, the video delivered its message in a way that was visually engaging, informative, and emotionally resonant.
Objective
The key objective of the project was to support internal communication around process safety in a format that aligned with Hess’s safety culture and the messaging focus for the year. Hess aimed to use the film to:
Recognize the teams involved in operations
Begin a wider conversation about process safety
Help all employees understand how the topic applies to them
Align the message with the audience across varied job functions
The film was designed to reach a wide internal audience, including both those who work directly at well pads and metering stations, and those in office-based roles.
Approach
The animation took creative inspiration from a previously produced Australian safety film that inspired Hess stakeholders.
In this new film for Hess, the approach was adapted to deliver a clear definition of process safety and to connect the topic to individuals in various roles.
The creative direction used 2D cel animation with a professional voiceover, music, and subtle text overlays to reinforce the core messages.
The tone was aligned with internal brand expectations, and the structure of the video was intended to encourage understanding while avoiding overly technical detail or excessive jargon.
The Problem
Process safety, while vital, is not always widely understood across an organization. Defined as a disciplined framework for managing the integrity of operating systems that handle hazardous substances, it relies on engineering design, operational controls, and maintenance procedures.
However, most employees who are not directly involved in field operations or environmental health and safety may not understand how their roles intersect with these systems. This disconnect leads to a dangerous assumption: that process safety is someone else’s responsibility.
Hess recognized this internal barrier. There was a strong safety culture in operations, but less clarity for office-based teams. Without a broad, shared understanding of process safety, opportunities for improvement and risk mitigation could be missed.
Hess needed a message that resonated across teams, departments, and geographies.
The Solution
To support this objective, the team developed a concise 2D animated process safety video, created specifically for Hess employees around the world. The video was designed to align with the theme of Global Safety Appreciation Day and highlight the role of process safety across the organization.
2D Animation Format
The use of 2D animation allowed the creative team to simplify complex ideas and deliver them in a visually engaging format. The animation included workplace scenarios and visual cues that helped illustrate the wider scope of process safety without relying on abstract theory.
Voiceover and Audio
A professional voiceover was used to guide viewers through the video, offering clarity and consistency in tone. Background music and sound effects were included to support the message and bring added energy to the piece without overwhelming the core content.
Message Framing
Instead of focusing exclusively on the field-based aspects of process safety, the film addressed a broader audience by asking the central question: “What does process safety mean to me?” This reframing helped employees see that their individual responsibilities, choices, and awareness contribute to safer operations overall.
Managing Complexity
To make the content accessible, the script avoided dense technical detail. The priority was to deliver a high-level overview that would resonate with both experienced operations staff and those in supporting functions, while still remaining accurate and respectful to the subject matter.
Impact and Outcome
The animation premiered as a centerpiece of Hess’s 2021 Global Safety Appreciation Day. It was distributed globally, reaching employees across operational and office-based environments. Early feedback highlighted several wins:
High Engagement: Viewership exceeded internal benchmarks within the first week.
Broadened Awareness: Office-based staff reported a stronger understanding of their influence on process safety.
Conversation Catalyst: Teams used the film to kick off safety discussions in local meetings and toolbox talks.
Cultural Alignment: The film’s tone and visual language resonated with Hess’s values, making the message feel authentic rather than instructional.
By using animation to tell a human story about process safety, the campaign helped reposition the topic from a technical concern to a shared responsibility. It acknowledged frontline excellence while inviting broader participation, exactly what the initiative set out to achieve.
Supporting Global Safety Appreciation Day
The animation was developed specifically for Global Safety Appreciation Day, providing a shared resource that could be used across teams and locations. Hess intended the video to serve as a conversation starter, a training support asset, and a way to acknowledge the people who keep operations running safely.
By combining animation with thoughtful scripting and clear narration, the process safety video helped lay the groundwork for future internal discussions and activities related to safety awareness and training.
The Hess – Process Safety Animation project demonstrates the power of creative media to communicate critical ideas across global organizations. By combining clear messaging, emotional tone, and thoughtful production, the film redefined how Hess talks about process safety.
It showed that safety awareness doesn’t begin and end with operations. Everyone has a role. Everyone has influence. And when the message is delivered right, everyone listens.
Contact SHIIFT for a bespoke process safety video
If you’re looking to communicate complex safety topics in a way that’s clear, engaging, and tailored to your audience, we can help. SHIIFT specializes in creating bespoke animated content that supports process safety training across diverse teams and industries.
Get in touch with SHIIFT to explore how a custom process safety video can support your internal communication goals.
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