An investigation into a health & safety rewards system on a large construction project

Unsafe behaviours are often antecedent to accidents. In an attempt to encourage safe over unsafe behaviours, construction companies have widely adopted incentive systems rewarding safe behaviours and/or low accident rates. Through an ethnographic approach, a reward program used on a large construction project was investigated. As part of a wider PhD study, the researcher visited the construction site between one and three times a week for three years, working alongside the H&S department on a large construction project, utilising participant observation as the main research tool. Data was collected through site walk-arounds, attending meetings, safety survey results, and informal discussions with employees. Safety survey results revealed that money/vouchers (43%) were the most popular reward choice for construction workers, followed by branded clothing (9%), paid leave (8%) and outings (8%), such as golf days or hotel stays. Non-financial recognition such as certificates (6%) and public recognition (4%) through posters or emails, were not as popular, suggesting workers were motivated by financially-based rewards, and in particular money or vouchers. While the reward system adopted was based on vouchers and gifts, which according to the survey should represent an effective motivator, the ethnographic insights revealed that the formation of an effective reward system was much more complex. Specific challenges arose including: a lack of nominations and inappropriate nominations; winners believed they did not deserve an award for 'just doing their job'; variations in prizes from shopping vouchers to iPads which led to feelings of inequality; and operatives were dissatisfied when supervisors received awards. The challenges revealed in this case study can be used to aid construction companies in creating an effective H&S reward program. It is recommended that companies should provide clarity to workers on the requirements, protocols, stipulations and conditions associated with H&S rewards.