Posted By Jonathan Sandler CMIOSH
Richard.
As I now know which way to advise, try them on this:
Perceptions of risk can be raised so that people do feel the need for improved personal safety. This can be achieved by helping people to learn from the experiences of others, e.g. communicating information about accidents resulting from unsafe behaviour.
People are usually highly motivated by personal growth and development. Participation and involvement in safety improvement can therefore provide motivation, there are, therefore, a number of things that organisations can do to motivate employees to adopt safe working practices: Raise perceptions of risk by involving all employees in risk assessment and communicating information about accidents, etc ensure adequate standards to clarify what behaviour is required make commitment to safety at the highest levels very clear ensure that monitoring for compliance with safe working practices is visible consistently deter unsafe behaviour and comment on safe behaviour provide frequent feedback on performance deal with any obstacles that make it difficult to work in a safe manner involve all employees in the safety improvement and monitoring process take advantage of all situations when individuals might be influenced, e.g. induction training, promotion, performance review following an accident.
It has been shown that almost all of the factors that influence behaviour are, to some extent, within the control of the organisation and its management system.
Conclusion
There is no single route to promoting safe behaviour, but there are six approaches that can be used simultaneously:
Example, senior managers must set a good example and always follow the rules, procedures and safe systems of work that exist. This reinforces the need for all employees to do the same, failure to do so devalues the standards and procedures that exist.
Compelling, clear responsibilities, accountabilities and standards of performance that are consistently applied. The perceived risk of disciplinary action can be greater than the perceived risk of injury.
Rewarding, reward systems based on reducing the number of reported injuries can have a negative effect; discouraging employees from reporting accidents. Reward schemes based on compliance with performance standards might be more beneficial. Simply recognising and commenting on safe behaviour can help.
Facilitating, making safe behaviour easy and removing obstacles, e.g. ensuring that adequate waste bins are provided to allow employees to dispose of rubbish easily.
Informing, raising employees' understanding of the reasoning behind precautions and performance standards.
Training, developing competence, influencing attitudes and reducing the risk of mistakes. Both the employer and employees will learn from their own experiences and it is in the nature of risk that unsafe behaviour does not always result in injury. Unfortunately, unsafe practices are reinforced every time we "get away with it".
Closing part of my esay ‘Discuss and illustrate how the needs, behaviours, human nature and risk perceptions of individuals may influence an organisation’s health and safety strategy.’
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Regards