Page 34 - OHS, September 2024

TRAINING: INCENTIVES
Let Safety Incentives Strengthen Fall Protection and Boost Your
Safety Culture
Implementing safety incentive programs can significantly improve compliance with fall protection standards and strengthen overall workplace safety culture.
BY BUCK PEAVEY
Fall protection is a critical aspect of ensuring worker safety. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts to implement rigor- ous safety protocols and provide high-quality fall protection equipment, compliance issues and safety lapses can still oc-
cur. Properly designed safety incentive programs have been proven to enhance adherence to fall protection standards.
The Importance of Fall Protection
The statistics will show that falls are among the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace. In some industries, they account for nearly one-third of all workplace fatalities. Com- prehensive fall protection involves not just the use of personal pro- tective equipment (PPE) — such as harnesses, lanyards and guard- rails — but also adherence to safety protocols, proper training and a proactive safety culture.
Given the high stakes, ensuring that workers consistently fol- low fall protection measures is crucial. This is where safety incen- tives come into play, offering a way to drive the behavior of these practices through positive reinforcement.
Understanding Safety Incentives
Safety incentives are rewards or recognition given to employees for adhering to safety protocols or demonstrating safe work practices. But don’t underestimate their ability to invigorate a culture of safe-
ty awareness and improve safety program participation dramati- cally. Ways of “incentivizing” can vary widely, from using mon- etary cash-type rewards (including gift cards) to non-monetary recognition such as time off, pizza parties, company branded items and, of course, actual reward merchandise. In the end, the goal of safety incentive programs is to create a motivating environment where employees are encouraged to prioritize safety and partici- pate in certain safety initiatives that they might otherwise not.
Steps to Implement a Safety Incentive Program for Fall Protection
1. Define Clear Objectives and Metrics
To effectively use safety incentives, it’s essential to set clear, measurable objectives. These goals might include:
■ Consistent use of fall protection equipment, such as har- nesses and lanyards.
■ Completion of mandatory fall protection training modules.
■ Adherence to safety checklists and protocols.
■ Reporting potential fall hazards and suggesting improve-
ments.
It’s important to establish specific metrics to evaluate whether
these goals are being met. For example, one option is to track the number of safety violations, the percentage of employees wearing proper fall protection or the frequency of completed safety training modules. Once these metrics and desired behaviors are created, at- tach the incentive reward to them directly. It’s going to be critical to attach smaller, ideally weekly, rewards to these safe behaviors.
2. Communicate the Program Clearly (and Simply)
Effective, simple and easy-to-understand communication is key to the success of any incentive program. Ensure that all em- ployees understand the objectives of the program, and how they can earn rewards. Communication should be ongoing and trans- parent, including frequent updates on program performance and any changes to the incentive rewarding criteria. Consider hiring an experienced incentive company to help do this. Some packaged programs will automatically handle the communication and re- warding, saving time.
3. Develop the Proper Reward System
Choose a reward system that aligns with employee preferences and company culture but also has already been proven to motivate employees. Stay away from the old “dangle the carrot” cash-type programs that can turn the program into entitled compensation. Focus on an incentive system that will drive weekly and daily, safe behavior.
■ Stay with merchandise versus cash. Think of that trophy you won in grade or high school. It meant more and was certainly more memorable than the $20 that the trophy actually cost. Points
32 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2024
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