Reducing Industrial Accidents: A Behavioral Experiment

Although as many as 88% of work-related accidents result from unsafe acts, applied behavioral analysis and behavior modification to increase safety have not been used widely. A safety program conducted in a sugar cane machinery manufacturing plant in Louisiana was designed to test the success of the behavioral analysis approach. After observations were made and departmental safety scores were calculated, interventions consisting of safety meetings, goal setting, training, and feedback, were implemented. Validated findings indicated significantly improved behavioral safety performance confirmed by a decreased injury incidence rate. In addition, the program resulted in considerable financial savings. This widely applicable safety program encourages employee compliance in a positive way and supports the importance of knowledge of results in achieving safety goals.