Perhaps we can learn something from the hysteria over multi-million-dollar lottery jackpots and apply it to our work in safety. I think it tells us something about human nature and motivation — two keys to our safety efforts.
You might recall the seven-state combined “$363 Million Big Game Lotto” that attracted such publicity last spring. It was the largest lottery prize in U.S. history, triggering a record number of lottery ticket purchases. Think about what some people did for a chance at the prize: traveling many miles, waiting in long lines, organizing into teams to better the odds and split the winnings. The greater the payoff, the more effort people will put into going after it.