ABSTRACT
Behavior-based safety programs typically claim that around 85 percent of worker injuries and incidents are caused by people's own "unsafe acts." Safety audits, safe work observations, local supervision, and safety culture measurements and safety climate assessments add to the mix. The Old View, which sees 'human error' as the cause of trouble, tends to locate the safety problem in people. Recall the safety manager from the preface, whose company had concluded that the most common causes of injuries and incidents were worker carelessness, lack of awareness, disregard for safety procedures and distraction. Behavioral safety programs can harm social cohesion and workplace solidarity. Researchers and workplace safety experts also noted that how safety is managed in the workplace, including employer practices such as fostering open communication about safety issues, may encourage reporting of injuries and illnesses. The organization does safety monitoring beyond quality control, safety management and emphasizes skills that go beyond competent individual practice.
