Shaping a Culture of Safety: How Behavioural Safety Transforms the Workplace

That’s the essence of behavioural safety. Research from HSE shows that 80% of workplace accidents come down to human actions—unsafe acts rather than just environmental risks. But what if we could change behaviour—encouraging safe behaviour that becomes habit?

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical steps to implement behavioural safety into the heart of your workplace, creating a safer, more connected team in the process.

Why is Behavioural Safety Important?

When we talk about workplace safety, we’re often drawn to the obvious things: signs, equipment, policies and procedures. But what about the choices people make, day in and day out? Behavioural safety takes aim at these actions. Studies suggest that the vast majority of workplace incidents result from what people do or don’t do. By understanding these choices, we can build a culture where safe behaviour isn’t enforced—it’s embraced.

What Does Behavioural Safety Look Like?

Think about a colleague who occasionally skips a step in safety processes because they’re in a hurry or another who always checks in with their teammates on high-risk tasks. These behaviours add up, either to build a safer workplace or chip away at it. Behavioural safety is about observing these choices and helping people make ones that support a safer, more supportive environment.

Instead of relying solely on protocols, this approach involves everyone in identifying and promoting safe behaviours. When people feel encouraged and recognised for their choices, they’re more likely to make safety a priority on their own. This focus on employee engagement is one of the key features that makes behavioural safety important.

Core Principles of Behavioural Safety

A solid behaviour-based safety programme is a real team effort. Here’s what tends to work best:

Lead by Example: When managers roll up their sleeves and make safety part of their everyday actions, it sets a powerful example. If they’re consistent—whether it’s by wearing PPE correctly or by joining regular toolbox talks—employees see safety as a true priority, not just a policy. Leadership isn’t just about words; it’s about actions everyone can see.

Involve the Team: People don’t tend to respond well to being told what to do, especially when it’s something as personal as how they work. By bringing employees into the behavioural safety conversation, they’re not just participants—they’re owners of the process. Invite feedback, ask about concerns, and genuinely listen. When people feel they’re part of the solution, they’re more invested in its success.

Set Clear, Measurable Goals: It’s one thing to say, “Let’s be safe.” But setting specific goals makes safety real. Track incidents and miss reports, look for trends and identify the unsafe behaviours behind them. Then, work together to set clear, achievable goals based on the data gathered. This way, everyone knows exactly what they’re working toward, using leading indicators to measure success.

Tools and Techniques that Bring Behavioural Safety to Life

Safety Audits

Regular audits might sound routine, but when they’re focused on safety behaviours, they become a powerful tool. Rather than just walking through the space with a clipboard, observers look at how people are going about their work. Is someone reaching across a machine to save time? Is a team doubling up to move a heavy load safely? These audits aren’t about catching mistakes; they’re about learning how people are actually working so you can eradicate unsafe behaviour and support safer habits.

Real, Everyday Training

Training is essential, but it has to feel relevant. People are much more likely to retain what they’ve learned if it feels real to them. Tailoring behavioural safety training to specific roles and even individual teams makes it more relatable and effective. A useful model here is the ABC Model—Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence. This approach helps people see how actions lead to outcomes, good or bad. Practical examples that resonate with everyday tasks will always stick better than theoretical concepts.

A Little Recognition Goes a Long Way

When someone does something right—whether it’s wearing PPE without fail or reminding a colleague about a safety behaviour—acknowledge it. A simple “Nice work” can reinforce the kind of behaviour you want to see across the board. Positive reinforcement is easy to overlook, but it has a ripple effect. When people feel appreciated for safe behaviours, they’re naturally encouraged to keep it up, and they inspire others to follow suit.

Sustaining a Culture of Safety

Embedding behavioural safety into the fabric of the workplace takes patience and persistence. Here are some ways to keep it going:

Keep Feedback Flowing: Don’t let feedback be a one-time thing. Consistent, constructive feedback shows that safety is an ongoing conversation. Regular observations and check-ins keep safe behaviours at the forefront, while also giving people a chance to share their experiences.

Adapt to New Challenges: Work environments change, so safety programmes should too. By regularly revisiting and refining behavioural safety protocols, you ensure that your programme remains relevant. And don’t forget to bring employees into these updates; they often see the changes before anyone else.

The Benefits of a Behavioural Safety Approach

A behavioural safety programme has the potential to transform the workplace culture. Here are just a few of the tangible benefits:

Bringing It All Together: Building a Safety-First Mindset

Creating a safer workplace through behavioural safety isn’t about rules and regulations alone; it’s about connection, commitment, and shared goals. When safety is part of everyday thinking, it becomes part of the culture.

Imagine a team where everyone looks out for each other, where recognising safe behaviours is second nature, and where feedback isn’t just tolerated but welcomed. That’s the kind of environment that behavioural safety creates. And in the end, it’s not just about preventing incidents—it’s about building a stronger, more supportive workplace for everyone involved.