Safety incentive programs don’t need to be costly or time consuming. They can actually provide an average return of 1:3 or more for every dollar spent. Here are a few recommendations for creating and promoting your safety incentive programs. Choose Activities that Create Recognition
- Create an equal chance to win. Avoid prohibiting incident reporting.
- Closely tie rewards with results by being timely in your recognition.
- Offer both public and private recognition. Choice brings empowerment.
- Consider using a professional award distributor to better manage your budget and culture.
- Offer a variety of gifts cards, clothing, time off with pay, etc.
- When it comes to incentives, brand names and quality matters.
Promote Your Program
- Prior to implementation, use teaser messaging to garner excitement for your program.
- Use special announcements for further promotion.
- Weekly meetings help keep priorities on par with your production message.
Reward Participation at All Levels These 7 actions are a great starting point for setting up your eligible activities. Focus on activities and behaviors that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and compliance with existing regulations.
- Lead or participate in safety meetings.
- Report a near miss or unsafe condition.
- Complete an on-the-spot (OTS) corrective action.
- Lead or participate in stretching exercises.
- Lead or participate in a Job Safety Analysis or safety audit.
- Lead or participate in good housekeeping focused on slip, trip, falls, and fire prevention.
- Lead or complete required safety training.
Real Results When properly implemented, Safety Incentive Programs lead to real results. Heartland Foods went from 285 lost-time injuries per year to 14—saving $11.6 million. Allied Waste had a 27% decline in safety-related accidents—reducing claims by 2,520 and saving $108 million. Airgas East/Northeast spent $181,500 on their program but saved $907,500 within one year.
