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Although OSHA has no regulations specifically covering safety incentive programs, the agency has issued citations for incentive programs that discourage reporting or reward employees for not reporting incidents/injures. According to Oort, avoiding citations begins with planning. Instead of opting for a passive safety incentive program, which requires no direct action from employees and rewards employees based on a specific number of incident-free hours—which has been shown to lead to underreporting—Oort encourages employers to implement a proactive safety incentive program. Proactive programs are designed to motivate employees to be actively involved in all aspects of safety, encouraging a “safety first” attitude.
According to Oort, incentive programs affect safety cultures by giving employees a reason to change behaviors. In lieu of rewarding employees for periods of time without injuries, proactive incentive safety programs reward employees for things like making safety suggestions, identifying and/or correcting hazards, participating in wellness programs or serving on a safety committee/task force.
Proactive safety incentive programs do require more work and planning and may require expert assistance, Oort continued, but they also offer a greater return. In addition to a reduction in injuries and illness, these programs can accomplish specific goals, encourage involvement and produce positive cultural changes.
Incentive programs work well in many other areas of business. To create a culture that encourages safer work practices without discouraging reporting, Oort suggests emphasizes being proactive. To achieve a proactive safety incentive program employers can incorporate the following recommendations:
Proactive safety incentive programs do require more work and planning and may require expert assistance, Oort continued, but they also offer a greater return. In addition to a reduction in injuries and illness, these programs can accomplish specific goals, encourage involvement and produce positive cultural changes.
Incentive programs work well in many other areas of business. To create a culture that encourages safer work practices without discouraging reporting, Oort suggests emphasizes being proactive. To achieve a proactive safety incentive program employers can incorporate the following recommendations:
- Include employees in the design process.
- Design programs to achieve specific goals.
- Ensure that leaders support the program and remain actively engaged.
- Use ample, but sincere, praise and recognition.
- Reward with a selection of merchandise, not cash or gift certificates.
- Use a points-based system.
- Reward employees for achieving goals.
- Set budget, a minimum of about $120 to $200 per employee per year is appropriate.