David

In response to your statement that you're looking for "...practical methods others have used in this area. I'm thinking more along the lines of ongoing programmes which aim to improve behavioural safety. "
over the last 15 - 20 years the Journal of Organisation Behaviour Management, the Journal of Safety Research and Safety Science have published a large number of case studies detailing the conditions in which behavioural safety methods deliver a high percentage of desired outcomes, and how they do so as well as quantified analyses of results (often many times the value of costs).

These reports are published on the basis that they are neither publicity for particular methods nor expressions of hostility based on distrust of management or workers or trade unions.

In brief the common process involves generating a receptive climate, training in accurate observation of behavio(u)r, management alignment (your 3 hour workshops), regular data collection, data analysis, corrective action and reviews of the process. Generally this is co-ordinated with the support of an appropriate number of organisational psychologists.

For a good outline of this process, read 'Behavioral Safety. A Framework for Success', D Cooper, Ph D, CFIOSH, CPsychol, BSMS, 2009; it's available through the website of his company, www.bsms.com (He might even give you a few dollars off if you mention the IOSH website as the source of information.)

If you want to take part in a dispassionate discussion of behavioural and 'people-based' interventions in safety management, it may be worth going to hear a presentaiton on the subject at the annual conference of the BPS Division of Occupational Psychology in Chester Jan 12/13 2001; again no particular brand will be promoted but the underpinnings and outcomes of well-designed interventions will be evaluated carefully.

Thanks for your observant proof-reading: one of the attributes of a sterling safety professional (as well as a mindful spouse). The conference will be in Jan 2012.

Provided observers are trained to be consistent in their ratings (what's formally called 'inter-rater reliability'), and their documentation or computer support is standardised, the 'behavioural' or 'people-based' safety doesn't have to be any more 'bureaucratic' than streamlined quality, production and procurement management.

As the research of cognitive ergonomists like Reason and Rasmussen has shown, it's typically when human needs are overlooked or repressed that controls mushroom to compensate for management errors and violations, while still resulting in avoidable waste, injuries and worse.