These principles include rewarding feedback and positive reinforcement to increase appropriate behaviors and corrective feedback to decrease improper behaviors. As applied to safety this means safe behaviors are increased and at-risk behaviors are decreased. The basic objective is to improve human performance. These principles are based on 40 years of rigorous research and hard science, not on opinions or common sense. Successful implementation and execution is key.
Psychological principles are natural laws similar to physical laws such as the law of gravity.
When these laws are understood and properly applied, we benefit. When we misunderstand and violate these basic principles, we fail. Customization of behavior-based safety is crucial to success. Every site is unique, so it's important to conduct a site assessment prior to implementing a behavioral process. The assessment is performed to determine site strengths and deficiencies, cultural values, and ways to proceed with implementation.