Behavior-based safety (BBS) is a method in which trained observers watch work, record safe and at-risk behaviors, and give feedback to reduce the at-risk behaviors that lead to incidents.
In a forklift program, BBS observations typically cover seat belt use, horn use at intersections, travel speed, looking in the direction of travel, fork height while traveling and pedestrian behavior at crossings. Results are shared as feedback and trend data rather than used for discipline.
BBS draws two common criticisms. It can shift attention to workers’ choices and away from layout, equipment and scheduling, which often make the at-risk behavior the easy option. And when it is tied to rewards for low injury numbers, it can discourage reporting, a concern OSHA has addressed in its guidance on safety incentive programs. Observation programs also sample only a small share of shifts. Some sites add data from telematics and detection systems to see behavior across all shifts, with clear rules on how that data is used. The behavior-based safety guide covers program design.