8 - Safety Performance as Part of Performance Evaluations

Abstract

Performance evaluations are a tremendously powerful management tool. This chapter addresses questions regarding the link between safety performance and performance evaluations; the part of performance evaluations that should be related to safety and whether safety performance should be linked to performance evaluations. It is important to note that the performance evaluation and the salary review are different and are meant to be different. A salary review might take place once per year, but performance reviews should take place often depending on the particular circumstances. The performance review is an assessment. Allowance of sub-par performance is a form of negative reinforcement. This cycle must be turned around to positive reinforcement. A path must be made toward continuous performance improvement. This path includes informing the team member of sub-par performance and working together with the team member on a path toward performance improvement.