Safety incentives as traditionally deployed (prizes rewarded for no reports of injuries) often do more harm than good. To win rewards, employees might hide injuries and not report them. You’re left with an inaccurate picture of your true safety performance.

I believe rewards should be linked to safe behavior instead of lagging indicator results — your injury rate, which may be based on under-reporting. You really don’t know. Instead, incentives should be used as part of a system to increase positive reinforcement. To measurably engage and coach employees. For having safety conversations every day. Focus on the positive aspects of your safety program.