Want to start a debate in safety circles, bring up the topic of incentives. A recent post on the Injury Board.com web site, hauls out the old criticism and applies it to the construction industry: adults are being treated in a manner similar to Pavlov’s dogs, being conditioned to respond in a “do something and be rewarded” way of behavior, according to the web site. Workers receive rewards, often customized, for maintaining a safe work environment.

According to the web site, incentives can be offered on a point-basis. Construction workers in such programs earn points for implementing and maintaining safety measures. Many times these points are awarded on an individual basis rather than to a group of workers as a whole. Points accrue over time and, at the employees discretion, may be “cashed in.”

Some employers offer cash incentives, some allow workers to purchase equipment or other supplies from a catalogue, and some allow points to accrue for additional vacation days.

One energy conpany’s incentive program for new construction provides energy assistance and money-saving tactics for Iowa farmers who are working to construct an energy-efficient business from the ground up. The incentives are intended to reduce the cost of energy during construction and operation.

The effectiveness of such incentive programs has been evaluated by OSHA, which concluded many rewards programs loses steam over time, according to Injury Board.com. Many incentive program designers claim their programs have gotten a bad rap due to sometimes hasty and ill-conceived use by employers. Incentive program designers says their programs should not be stand-alone efforts to motivate safety awareness, but should be part of a larger plan to involve workers in planning and implement safety procedures and goals.

Even the Injury Board.com post ends on an positive note about incentives: “Hey, we figure that by improving safety precautions even for just a short period of time reduces risks and may be responsible for saving a life. Seems worth the risk to us...”