Some recent research, however, would suggest that incentive awards are still popular, but that the prerequisite for getting the reward is being challenged.
In his book The Psychology of Safety, E. Scott Geller espouses a set of some 50 principles for what he terms a Total Safety Culture. Dr. Geller notes in principle #9 that safety incentive programs should focus on the process rather than the outcomes. In other words, you should reward what people do (specific, risk-reducing behaviors), rather than the consequences of what they may or may not have done.