| Use incentives with caution |
Some incentive programs can have unintended
and self-defeating results
Companies that have rewarded employees too generously for not being
injured, have learned to their cost that this can have the opposite-to-intended
result.
Instead of making the workplace safer, the practical result has
been for workers to avoid reporting minor injuries, or even near-miss
incidents, out of concern for keeping a clean record. The reward
should never be a greater goal than the goal of a safe workplace.
There are many incentives you can provide that
are cost free:
* Stay connected
Communication is a vital tool for getting employees on side. Give
your team members timely information concerning the state of work
in their particular area, within the company at large, and particularly
about safety
goals and accomplishments.
* Show team members how they have an impact
Give people a chance not just to do the job, but to have an impact
on overall results, and they will look around and make sure results
are achieved.
Explain to employees how making safety an intrinsic part of everything
they do, helps to support safety goals.
* Encourage feedback
People should feel free to contribute their opinions. Always thank
employees for their advice or opinions, even when their ideas are
not accepted. When you can’t use information they give you,
explain why. When you can use their ideas, provide liberal doses
of recognition.
* Show team members you care
They already know that you care about the company’s safety
record. But health and safety do not end with the end of the shift.
Caring is not just about caring that the company keeps a good safety
record. Caring is about people, their lives outside the company,
their successes and their problems. Find the time to ask after team
members’ outside interests. Congratulate them on the birth
of a new child or grandchild. Send a note to a family member who
has just graduated, been married etc. Your team members will note
your interest and appreciate it.
* Recognize safe acts.
Post a note on the team notice board, congratulating Sheila on keeping
the workplace floor clean. Select a “safe employee of the
month”. Pin the employee’s photograph on the notice
board together with a note of the ways in which that employee has
contributed to safety. None of the above “incentives”
cost your company a cent They can, however, pay dividends in increased
cooperation for maintaining a safe workplace—and supporting
your other production, service and quality goals. |
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