Sparer developed B-SAFE, a safety communication program for construction sites that utilizes the safety data that managers already gather and has them share with crews. At the Boston pilot-study sites involved with Sparer’s dissertation research, safety scores for each subcontractor were posted weekly. Site workers and project managers were prompted to look not only at their own site safety issues, but also at safety concerns outside their immediate area and professional trade.
To incentive teams, the sites with the highest scores earned a free lunch. The outcome went far beyond a free meal: site workers reported a stronger work ethic and concern for the safety of other crew members as well as better communication across teams (such as when a plumber asks a welder where his safety goggles are).
The workers involved with the program found it so helpful that many of them showed up at Sparer’s dissertation defense, where they expressed a desire to see the program implemented company-wide. B-SAFE is adaptable to different types of construction sites and its components can be implemented as a company’s time and budget allow.