When planning behaviour-based safety programs that include incentives, what do planners need to ensure?

When planning behaviour-based safety programs that include incentives, it is crucial to ensure that incentives are tied to behaviours that are under individual control. This approach promotes personal accountability and encourages employees to take responsibility for their actions within the workplace. When incentives are linked to specific behaviours that employees can influence, such as wearing personal protective equipment or following safety protocols, it reinforces the connection between safe practices and positive reinforcement.

By doing so, employees are more likely to feel empowered and motivated to engage in the desired behaviours, fostering a culture of safety. This alignment is essential because if incentives are not directly related to behaviours that individuals can control, it may lead to frustration and disengagement, as employees may feel that their efforts or adherence to safety practices are not recognized or rewarded appropriately. Thus, ensuring that incentives appropriately reflect individual contributions to safety is a fundamental aspect of effective behaviour-based safety programs.