Behavior-based safety
Behavior-based safety
A strategy for strengthening a company’s prevention culture
In a business environment characterized by increasingly dynamic operations and exposure to various risk factors, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) plays a strategic role in protecting employees and ensuring business continuity. However, having procedures, operational controls, and personal protective equipment is not always sufficient, as the decisions and behaviors adopted while performing tasks can also influence the occurrence of workplace incidents and accidents.
In this context, Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is a preventive methodology focused on identifying, observing, and reinforcing safe behaviors at the workplace. Its implementation makes it possible to identify behaviors that could increase exposure to risks and promote sustainable changes through feedback, employee participation, and positive reinforcement of good practices.
This approach is based on the understanding that, in order to work safely, people must have adequate working conditions, be familiar with applicable procedures, and make a conscious commitment to prevention. Therefore, BBS is not intended to assign individual responsibility or impose disciplinary measures, but rather to analyze the circumstances that influence behaviors and create opportunities for improvement within the company.
From a regulatory perspective, Law No. 29783, the Occupational Safety and Health Law, establishes, among the principles of the OSH Management System, the promotion of a prevention culture that enables everyone in the company to internalize the concepts of prevention and proactivity, while encouraging safe behaviors. In this regard, Behavior-Based Safety complements the preventive measures implemented by the employer and helps strengthen employee participation in the management of occupational risks.
Implementing this methodology requires visible commitment from senior management, active employee participation, and the identification of critical behaviors associated with the company’s activities. Through planned observations, preventive conversations, and constructive feedback, companies can recognize safe practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and establish actions aimed at preventing unsafe behaviors from recurring.
Furthermore, the information collected during observations makes it possible to identify trends and assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented. In this way, companies can direct their training, communications, and controls toward situations that require greater attention, promoting information-driven preventive management focused on continuous improvement.
The effectiveness of Behavior-Based Safety depends on conducting observations in an environment of trust, respect, and learning. When employees understand that the goal is prevention rather than punishment, they are more likely to report hazards, identify opportunities for improvement, and consistently adopt safe practices.
Consequently, incorporating this approach into the OSH Management System helps strengthen a culture of personal safety, improve communication between leaders and employees, and establish safety as a shared value. Prevention thus becomes more than simply following instructions; it becomes an integral part of the day-to-day decisions made throughout the company.
At BDO Servicios Legales y Laborales S.A.C., we support companies in designing, implementing, and strengthening their Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems, by providing specialized advisory to develop prevention strategies, training programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting safe behaviors. Our approach combines legal compliance with strategic management, helping protect employees while supporting the sustainability of business operations.