ABSTRACT
Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is the “application of the science of behavior change to real world problems.” BBS “focuses on what people do, analyzes why they do it, and then applies a research-supported intervention strategy to improve what people do.” The behavior-based approach to safety is founded on behavioral science as conceptualized and researched by B. F. Skinner. Internal person dimensions such as attitudes, perceptions, and cognitions are difficult to define objectively and change directly. The antecedent, behavior, and consequence contingency is a basic tenet of behavior-based safety. The “DO IT” process puts people in control of improving behaviors and thereby preventing injuries. A behavior-based safety approach promotes interventions that are people-focused and typically incorporate one-to-one or group observations of employees performing routine work tasks, setting goals carefully, and giving timely feedback on safety-related behavior, as well as coaching and mentoring.
