Praising for Safety: The Next Step in Behavioural Safety

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Abstract It is widely accepted that a large amount of accidents and incidents are caused by unsafe behaviours. As a result the use of behavioural safety programs has increased in occupational safety. The behavioural approach has proven to be effective in reducing accidents and incidents. This paper describes a different application of the psychological principles of behaviour and demonstrates the results of this approach by illustrating a case study. The principles of behaviour used in this case study were applied differently in comparison to a ‘traditional’ behavioural safety program. The methodology described here followed the traditional approach in that the observation of safe and at risk behaviours as well as feedback relating to these observations was crucial to accomplish behaviour change in safety. However, the importance of positive and negative consequences along with immediate feedback by work colleagues was emphasised. Furthermore, in this approach each participant acted as an observer as well as an observee, which is a further methodology difference to a ‘traditional’ approach. The procedure of the program involved work teams to decide on a number of work related behaviours that have potential to be performed unsafely and to observe each other on these behaviours. Rather than just recording the safe and at-risk observations made the team members were encouraged to give praise for observed safe behaviours and to intervene in at risk behaviours. The amount of praise and interventions was recorded as well as safe and at risk observations. Goal-setting methodology was used to promote increases in safe behaviours. The case study illustrates the benefits of giving emphasis to praise as well as interventions in a behavioural safety program. Results have shown an increase in safe behaviours in a short amount of time. However, additionally, results demonstrated an increase of communication within the team as well as between teams and supervisors leading to a safer work environment as well as increased morale. Furthermore, the participants of this program demonstrated greater ownership of issues relating to their safety resulting in greater engagement in creating a safe work place.