Boosting Workplace Safety with Reward & Recognition

Workplace safety is paramount, yet it's sometimes overlooked in day-to-day operations. Sadly, injuries and accidents don't just cause physical harm but significantly impact employee morale and productivity.?

Organisations use many ways to minimise the number of work-related incidents, but despite training and regular reminders, employees continue to take unnecessary risks that lead to avoidable incidents.??

"Unfortunately, it can indeed be stated that workplace accidents are relatively common in Europe," European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) senior advisor Ignacio Doreste shared in 2023. The ETUC states that it is "the employer's role to ensure a safe work environment—including their employees' mental health".

Why do people make bad decisions?

Behavioural economics is the science of what motivates people and how they make decisions. Studies show that 77% of behaviours are driven by emotion, and just 23% by logic. It means that even an employee is well-trained and knows what’s right, they may still make unsafe decisions that are not in the best interest of themselves or their company. They take shortcuts, want to finish early, or become overconfident. They know the risks but it’s their emotions driving their decisions.

This is where a strategic rewards and recognition system aligned with safety goals can make a real difference.

Understanding the Link

• Motivation and Vigilance: When employees feel valued for their commitment to safety, they are more likely to maintain a proactive stance in identifying and addressing hazards. Simple and timely recognition of safe practices reinforces these crucial behaviours.
• Psychological Safety and Open Reporting: A culture of recognition fosters trust and a sense of psychological safety. Employees are more likely to report near-misses and potential dangers, enabling the organisation to act preemptively and prevent serious incidents.
• Pride and Ownership: Celebrating safety achievements and individual contributions helps employees feel a sense of pride in their role. This increased ownership of safety translates into a more proactive approach and reduced complacency.

Rewarding Safety

To effectively reduce work incident rates, you need to tap into people’s emotions. An employee who is well-trained may still make illogical decisions, but if they are emotionally connected, then they are more likely to change their behaviours.

Similar to how a sales incentive programme drives performance, you can also recognise and celebrate your employees’ safety achievements to improve accident-related KPIs. Rewarding people with points (redeemable for exciting merchandise products, travel experiences and learning opportunities ) taps into their emotions and encourages them to change their behaviours. A well-structured safety recognition programme needs to be ongoing. It shouldn't be sporadic or feel like an afterthought.

The results?

Employees are rewarded, and employers see fewer workplace accidents and boost their people’s wellbeing.

In the dynamic workplace landscape,?rewarding safety?is not just a mere formality; it’s a strategic imperative. By?acknowledging and celebrating safety-conscious behaviour, organisations foster a culture where vigilance and risk management are woven into the fabric of daily operations.?

Safety recognition programmes?motivate employees to proactively identify hazards and champion preventive measures. They are not a stand-alone, magical solution to all safety challenges but a powerful tool. By fostering a workplace where safety is celebrated and valued, you simultaneously invest in preventing accidents, improving employee wellbeing, and creating a more vital, resilient organisation overall.

To learn more about applying behavioural science to your safety programme and get access to a variety of employee engagement and performance resources, visit BI WORLDWIDE EMEA .