Behavior-Based Intervention for Occupational Safety: Critical Impact of Social Comparison Feedback1

The relative impact of global, specific, and social comparison feedback on safety behaviors was assessed at a large soft-drink bottling company. A 2 Feedback Type (Specific vs. Global) X 2 Social Comparison Feedback (Present vs. Not Present) analysis of covariance was used to test the hypothesis that specific, social comparison feedback would lead to the greatest improvement 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 categorize work behaviors throughout the plant as safe or at-risk, and b) give employees written behavioral feedback each week. Social comparison feedback (SCF) led to significantly higher percent safe scores than did the No SCF conditions (mean percent safe was 78% vs. 68%, respectively). Follow-up Chi Square analyses and practical considerations suggest global/SCF is optimal for improving safety performance. Limitations of the study and future implications for safety feedback research are discussed.