Safe behaviors as the foundation for a safe work environment
Summary of the Assignment
Through the "Säkra grunden" initiative, Svevia utilized behavior-based safety (BBS) to strengthen the organization’s safety culture and reduce the frequency of workplace injuries.
Results
A 200% increase in safe behaviors
Project Launch
September 1, 2024
Objective
Svevia’s goal is to provide the industry’s safest and most secure workplaces and traffic environments, with a clear zero-accident vision. Given a high rate of workplace injuries, a relatively good but still far-from-target macho index, and several serious accidents, management recognized the need for a new approach to bring about a profound change in the safety culture.
Svevia therefore decided, through the“Säkra grunden”initiative, to utilize behavior-based safety (BBS) with the goal of strengthening the organization’s safety culture and reducing the frequency of workplace injuries. The question was how BBS could best be adapted and integrated into Svevia’s unique environment and daily operations to create a real impact and bring about long-term, sustainable change.
Strategy
To address this challenge, Svevia, in collaboration with the Behaviour Design Group, launched three pilot projects—one in each division—with the aim of adapting the approach to different parts of the business. In each project, employees were involved in identifying and prioritizing recurring high-risk work tasks where safe behaviors were critical.
One specific example of a risk-prone task that was selected was heavy lifting, a common task where small behavioral changes could make a big difference in preventing injuries. Together, they identified barriers and enablers for safe behaviors, such as the need for clearer communication procedures, improved technical conditions, and targeted training. For each risk factor, a plan was developed on how safe behaviors could be promoted, reinforced, and monitored.
Managers played a central role in the initiative. They were trained to communicate and clarify the behaviors, provide positive behavior-based feedback, and discuss the obstacles and conditions for these behaviors in everyday work. The result was a new approach that involved everyone and focused on safe behaviors.
Results
After just two months, the three pilot projects had already yielded clear results:
- The proportion of safe behaviors increased by an average of over 200% across all projects.
- Leadership behaviors aimed at activating and reinforcing these behaviors were implemented at a rate of 60–100% across the various projects.
- In follow-up behavioral observations, we observed 90–100% compliance with safe behaviors.
In addition, there was a clear shift in knowledge and the application of BBS in everyday life. All participants reported that they had a good or very good understanding of behavior-based safety and that they actively applied these methods in their daily work.
Svevia is now building up strong internal expertise to ensure long-term sustainable change and continuity in the BBS initiative. In-house staff are being trained to support managers in the BBS initiative, and the approach is being integrated into standard processes and procedures for workplace health and safety. In this way, the foundation is being laid for new working methods and a cultural shift that will endure throughout the entire organization.
200%
Increase in safe behaviors
The proportion of safe behaviors increased by an average of over 200% across all projects.
80%
Exhibited leadership behaviors
Leadership behaviors aimed at activating and reinforcing these behaviors were implemented at a rate of 60–100% across the various projects.
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