SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Safety Program Incentive plans cannot be used alone They must be only a piece of the safety program Employees must be properly trained for jobs They must be trained on how to recognize hazards They must be trained and have access to a written safety program so they know the company rules

Safety Program Safety policy which outlines the company’s commitment to a safe workplace Policies stating employees’ responsibilities and accountabilities Management support for safe practices Rules for job performance and conduct to help keep the workplace safe Corrective action plan (training, disciplinary actions, etc.) Performance appraisal system Safety committee Designation of those responsible for safety monitoring

Support from Management and Supervisors Management and supervisors must believe in the incentive program The program should be fair and properly administered Employees need to think they can actually achieve the rewards

Establishing the Safety Incentive Program Your approach may depend on many variables: Nature of operations Size Number of employees Number of work locations (including fixed and temporary job sites) Which employees will be included Budget for program

Establish Goals Decide why you want to start an incentive program and what you expect from it Reduce lost time accidents Reduce number of injuries Improve awareness of safety issues and procedures Reinforce your company’s formal Safety Program

Who is Awarded Pick which employees will be included in the program and how they will be awarded Team Individual Department Everyone

Prize Selection Company logo items (pens, flashlights, blankets, clothing) Cash Gift cards Safety items (safety glasses, work shoes, hard hats) Accumulated points for catalog selection Lunch

Appoint Program Coordinator Someone who is responsible for the program and can monitor how it affects your overall safety program Could be a safety representative, manager, supervisor, etc.

Recognition There should be a way to inform employees of performance and/or standings Winners should be announced Management must recognize employees for their efforts Some examples of recognition: Pat on the back Praise for a job well done Lunch with owner/manager Announcement at meeting Postings on bulletin board

Reporting Injuries and Illnesses Employees must report injuries and illnesses The Incentive program should not discourage reporting OSHA discourages incentive programs that reward reductions of “lagging indicators" Lost time accidents Injuries (such as back injuries) OSHA recordables Days without an accident

Leading Indicators Safety training session attendance Identifying unsafe conditions Safety suggestions Completing safety checklists/inspections Employees displaying safe acts/behaviors

Kick Off Present the program to all employees Go over rules, prizes, and most importantly – the overall goal Answer any questions the participants have Get them excited about the program Management must be involved in this meeting

Ideas of Specific Incentive Programs

Safety Slogans Employees submit safety slogans A board, or the safety committee, selects a winner The winner is selected Prize or recognition is given to the winner The safety slogan is posted This program can run for a month or longer (up to a year)

Safety Suggestion Suggestion boxes are placed throughout workplace Employees place safety suggestions in the boxes Suggestions are for corrections of unsafe acts, conditions, and health hazards Each month the safety committee, or board, reviews all entries and votes to select the winner A prize is given, and/or the winner’s name and suggestion, along with corrective action, are posted

Good Housekeeping Monthly inspections are completed by a member of the safety committee They inspect different locations individually and score them Inspectors turn their scores in The current scores are compared to previous months to decide which location has the most improvement Most improved location is announced and awarded lunch, or other prize

Employee Involvement Involves all employees, except for managers/supervisors Program lasts two months, and then is started over Raffle tickets are distributed to employees displaying safe behavior, reporting near-misses and those who make safety suggestions Secret employee selected each term, turns in names of those he/she observed doing safe behaviors All of the raffle ticket recipients’ names will be posted at the end of each 2 month period on the safety bulletin board for recognition. Once the 2 month period has ended, a winner is selected from a random drawing and the winner receives a $25 gift certificate, or selects a prize from a drawing