Title: Behavior-Based Systems: A Call for Papers
Author:
Section/SPIG: Occupational Health and Safety
Issue Date:
Charles Levenstein
chuck_lev@comcast.net
Beth Rosenberg
beth.rosenberg@tufts.edu
If you were an employer who wanted to do everything possible to protect the health of workers and the environment – that is, you wanted to establish an effective safety system – you would discover that it is nearly impossible to find out anything useful about the efficacy of various safety systems. Most of the “scientific” literature on safety systems is by management consultants who are trying to sell you their programs. We have not been able to find unbiased evaluations of safety systems, particularly of Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) systems, which are now being heavily marketed. In fact, it is difficult to find out the specific content of such programs without paying substantial amounts to safety consultants or paying exorbitant fees for courses.
Our nagging doubt about the studies we’ve read – most of which we don’t trust because they seem like info-mercials – is that not one of the evaluations asks if such a program discourages workers from reporting injuries or incidents. There is a presumption that BBS creates a “culture of safety” – at least, over time – and there is never a hint that it might create a culture of fear that discourages reporting – and a culture of guilt that makes people feel bad if they get injured and ruin the chances for group rewards. A number of questions deserve attention and do not seem to have been answered in the safety literature.
1. In reality, in practice, what do BBS programs look like? Do they really rely on “positive reinforcement”? What does a “culture of safety” look like on the ground? Has anyone looked at how BBS programs really operate, and not just the textbook version, or “success stories” as written by safety consultants?
2. What is the impact of BBS on reporting?
3. We’ve heard that in many situations workers seem to like BBS. Do they in fact like it? Why? (Are they grateful for any safety focus at all? Or do the worker involvement schemes offer something valuable, that workers want and appreciate?)
New Solutions is inviting papers that address these questions. We need to get answers in order to evaluate what exists and to develop bona fide criteria for safety systems that truly benefit worker health and safety.
For more information contact: Charles Levenstein, chuck_lev@comcast.net
Beth Rosenberg, beth.rosenberg@tufts.edu