Industrial Insight

BEHAVIOUR BASED
SAFETY
Prepared by: Remy Thomas

Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge,

Growth, and Leadership / The Safety Leader’s
Mindset
 Industrial Insight:
Behavioural Based Safety

Industrial Insight: The Rise of Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)

Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is gaining significant momentum across various industries

such as oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, and mining. This approach recognizes
that a large proportion of workplace incidents are caused not by mechanical failure or
unsafe conditions alone, but by unsafe behaviors. As a result, industries are increasingly
shifting their focus from reactive safety practices to proactive behavior management.

BBS is centered on the idea that by observing and understanding how workers behave
during tasks—and providing timely, constructive feedback—organizations can prevent
incidents before they occur. It encourages workers at all levels to take personal
responsibility for safety, which leads to more active engagement and ownership of safe
work practices.

Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)

 Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is a proactive safety approach that focuses on identifying,

observing, and improving human behavior to prevent workplace incidents.
 It is based on the principle that most accidents are caused by unsafe actions rather
than unsafe conditions.
 BBS emphasizes individual responsibility and active employee involvement in
maintaining a safe working environment.

Companies implementing BBS programs are training supervisors and frontline workers to
carry out behavior observations, identify at-risk behaviors, and reinforce safe actions
through positive feedback. This practice not only reduces the likelihood of accidents but
also builds a positive safety culture where employees look out for one another.

Increasing Adoption Across Industries

 BBS is widely adopted in high-risk industries such as oil & gas, construction,
petrochemicals, and manufacturing.

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Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership
REMY THOMAS / The Safety Leader’s Mindset
 Industrial Insight:
Behavioural Based Safety
 Organizations are realizing that traditional safety systems focused on rules and
procedures are not enough to prevent behavior-related incidents.
 The growing focus is on managing and influencing behavior to create a stronger safety
culture.

A notable trend in the rise of BBS is the use of data and technology. Digital tools and
mobile apps are now being used to record behavior observations in real-time. The
collected data is analyzed to detect behavioral trends, identify high-risk areas, and measure
the effectiveness of interventions. This makes the safety process more data-driven and
targeted.

Role of Technology and Data

 Digital Tools:
Companies are using mobile apps and software to record observations, track trends,
and generate reports.
Real-time data collection improves accuracy and enables quick decision-making.

 Data Analysis:
Observation data is analyzed to identify common unsafe behaviors and high-risk
activities.
This allows for targeted training and corrective actions based on actual behavior
patterns.

Another key factor in the growth of BBS is the cultural transformation it brings. In contrast
to traditional safety systems that focus solely on compliance and rules, BBS promotes a
"just culture" where individuals are encouraged to report unsafe acts without fear of
punishment. This shift fosters open communication and continuous improvement.

Shift Toward a Just and Open Culture

 BBS supports a “just culture” where employees feel safe to report unsafe behaviors
without fear of blame or punishment.

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Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership
REMY THOMAS / The Safety Leader’s Mindset
 Industrial Insight:
Behavioural Based Safety
 It promotes transparency, open communication, and mutual respect among team
members.

 This leads to increased trust, better teamwork, and a stronger overall safety climate.

Leadership support plays a crucial role in the success of any BBS initiative. When
management actively participates in safety walks, discussions, and behavior observation
programs, it sends a strong message about the organization’s commitment to safety. This,
in turn, increases workforce trust and participation.

Leadership Commitment is Essential

 Senior management involvement is key to the success of BBS.

 Leaders demonstrate commitment by participating in safety observations, discussing

findings, and setting the tone for behavioral accountability.

 When workers see that safety is a priority at all levels, their engagement increases.

Furthermore, BBS is no longer being treated as a standalone program. Many companies

are now integrating BBS with existing HSE management systems, performance indicators,
training programs, and incident investigation processes. This integration strengthens the
overall safety framework and ensures consistency across all operations.

Integration with HSE Systems

 BBS is being increasingly integrated into broader Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
management systems.

 It complements existing risk assessments, training programs, audits, and incident

investigations.

 This integration ensures consistency and strengthens the effectiveness of the overall
safety strategy.

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Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership
REMY THOMAS / The Safety Leader’s Mindset
 Industrial Insight:
Behavioural Based Safety

Key Features of BBS Programs

 Observation and Feedback:

Workers and supervisors conduct regular behavior observations to identify safe and at-
risk practices.
Constructive feedback is given to reinforce positive behaviors and correct unsafe ones.

 Employee Involvement:
Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their actions and participate in safety
improvement initiatives.
Peer-to-peer interactions are promoted to foster a shared sense of responsibility.

 Positive Reinforcement:
Safe behaviors are acknowledged and rewarded, building motivation and a culture of
safety. The focus is on encouragement rather than punishment.

Benefits of BBS Implementation

1. Reduction in Incident Rates and Near-Misses

Implementing a Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) program helps identify unsafe behaviors

before they lead to accidents or injuries. By observing and addressing at-risk behaviors
in real-time, companies can reduce the occurrence of incidents and near-misses. The
proactive nature of BBS allows workers to make safer decisions, preventing dangerous
situations from escalating into actual accidents.

2. Improved Worker Engagement and Morale

BBS encourages active participation from employees at all levels of the organization,
making them feel more responsible for the safety of themselves and their peers. This
sense of ownership leads to higher levels of engagement, as workers feel their
contributions to safety are valued. The positive reinforcement and recognition of safe
behaviors further boost morale, as employees receive acknowledgment for their efforts
in maintaining a safe work environment.

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Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership
REMY THOMAS / The Safety Leader’s Mindset
 Industrial Insight:
Behavioural Based Safety

3. Enhanced Safety Culture and Communication

A successful BBS program fosters a positive safety culture where safety becomes a
shared responsibility. Open communication is promoted, allowing workers to freely
discuss unsafe practices and suggest improvements. As employees regularly observe
and provide feedback on each other's behavior, trust and collaboration within teams
grow, leading to a stronger, more cohesive safety culture across the organization.

4. Better Decision-Making Through Behavior-Based Data Analysis

BBS programs often involve the collection of detailed data on worker behaviors and
safety practices. This data can be analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and areas of
concern, providing valuable insights into the root causes of safety issues. With access to
this information, management can make informed decisions about where to focus
training efforts, adjust safety protocols, or introduce new safety measures, ultimately
leading to more effective and targeted interventions.

5. Continuous Improvement in Safety Performance

BBS supports a cycle of continuous improvement by constantly monitoring and

adjusting safety practices. As behaviors are observed and feedback is provided, areas
for improvement are identified, and corrective actions can be implemented. This
ongoing process helps to refine safety programs, evolve training content, and enhance
workplace procedures, ensuring that safety performance continues to improve over
time.

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Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership
REMY THOMAS / The Safety Leader’s Mindset
 Industrial Insight:
Behavioural Based Safety

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rise of Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) marks a significant transformation in

the way industries approach risk management and workplace safety. Traditional safety
systems that focus mainly on procedures and compliance, while important, often overlook
the critical role human behavior plays in incident prevention. BBS fills this gap by targeting
the actions and decisions of individuals, which are often the root causes of accidents.

By emphasizing behavior observation, active employee participation, and constructive

feedback, BBS encourages a more involved and responsible workforce. It shifts the safety
conversation from blame and enforcement to learning and improvement, creating a more
open and supportive safety culture. Furthermore, the use of behavior-based data allows
organizations to make smarter, evidence-driven decisions, helping them identify patterns
and implement timely corrective actions.

As industries continue to evolve and face complex challenges, BBS stands out as a forward-
thinking, people-centered approach that aligns safety with everyday operations. It not only
helps reduce incidents and injuries but also promotes continuous learning, stronger
teamwork, and long-term safety excellence. The growing adoption of BBS reflects a
commitment to not just compliance, but to building safer, more resilient, and performance-
driven workplaces.

Empowering Safety Professionals: Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership /

The Safety Leader’s Mindset

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