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The Building Blocks of Positive Behavior Modification

Text Box: The Truth About Consequences:
Behavioral Psychologists tell us that the consequences of current or past behavior have the strongest influence on future behavior. In the world of at work safety this means that for most people, if they personally have not suffered a negative outcome due to their past at risk behavior, they see that at risk behavior as safe, comfortable, convenient and correct for them. 
 
You can hold safety classes, show your people safety films, bring in safety trainers, develop committees and post rules and regulations on safe working techniques, all of these measures will help; but until your employees modify their at risk behavior by changing their personal concepts of comfort and convenience, you're fighting a losing battle against personal time developed and reinforced habits. 
 
Modifying behavior requires frequent reinforcement over long periods of time. The Negative consequences of at risk behavior usually do not occur frequently enough to effectively cause permanent change in that behavior. The good news is that positive reinforcement of positive outcomes is easier to control, and time and time again positive reinforcement produces positive results 
 
A safety program will be more effective if safety recognition is used as a positive reinforcement of positive outcomes related to safety training, organizational safety rules and regulations and employee participation of the safety process. 
 
Countless behavioral studies show that people react positively to positive reinforcement. In fact, they will generally repeat the positive behavior that brought about that positive reinforcement in hope of a repeat of that positive outcome. The longer your people try to achieve the goals you have set, the more the likelihood that positive behavior will replace their previous at risk behavior.  For more information on how safety awareness incentive programs can help you produce positive outcomes contact us at 858-695-9060, or visit our contact us page.

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