On strategies and methods in company safety work: From informational to motivational strategies

Safety activities in companies are historically characterized by concentration on accidents — potential or experienced. Both organizationally-oriented and individually-oriented activities assume that knowledge and information are enough to improve safety. Much empirical evidence indicates that knowledge of risks is not enough to bring about changes in unsafe behaviour. Man is not a rational decision-maker as concerns safety issues, and decision-making is influenced by feelings. Therefore social feedback encouraging safe behaviour has been quite successful in modifying behaviour. It is concluded that information oriented (such as accident investigations, safety inspections, safety campaigns) safety programs should be complemented with motivation oriented program elements (such as performance feedback). It is also emphasised that instead of concentrating only on accidents, work and organizational behaviour should be considered more comprehensively. The challenge is to develop strategies that make safety an integral part of the modern lifestyle of individuals, and one characteristic of a competitive company.