Behavior-based intervention for occupational safety: Critical impact of social comparison feedback

The relative impact of global, specific, and social comparison feedback on safety behaviors was assessed at a large soft-drink bottling Co. A 2 Feedba ck Level (Specific vs. Global) X 2 Feedback Type (Social Comparison Present vs. Not Present) analysis of covariance was used to test the hypothesis th at specific, social comparison feedback would lead to the greatest improvem ent in percentage of safe behavior. Employees (n = 97) received behavioral safety training and then developed a critical behavior checklist (CBC) for their work areas. Researchers used the CBC to: (a) systematically categoriz e work behaviors throughout the plant as safe or at-risk, and (b) give empl oyees written behavioral feedback each week. Social comparison feedback (SC F) led to significantly higher percent safe scores than did the No-SCF cond itions (mean percent safe was 78% vs. 68%, respectively). Follow-up chi-squ are analyses and practical considerations suggest global/SCF is optimal for improving safety performance. Limitations of the study and future implicat ions for safety feedback research are discussed. (C) 2000 National Safety C ouncil and Elsevier Science Ltd.