Using Behavioral Science to Improve Your Safety Culture
Behavioral safety expert, Terry McSween, teams up with trusted learning adviser, Adam Hockman, to bring you The New Values-Based Safety, an essential reference for leaders and safety professionals in any industry. The authors expand on McSween’s previous editions of Values-Based Safety Process. Values-Based Safety is an approach to behavior-based safety grounded in aligning organizational behaviors with a clearly defined set of organizational values such as honesty, respect, and concern for the well-being of everyone. Written in understandable language, the book guides you through:
- NEW in this edition: Two new chapters on laying the cultural and leadership foundation for any safety improvement effort
- Implementing a Values-Based Safety process from design to execution and maintenance
- Special considerations for small companies and industries where employees work in isolation
- The behavioral science behind it all
- Real-world case studies
Throughout it all, the authors underscore the importance of creating a culture of caring and concern to support employee well-being along with the company’s bottom line.
Considered the best “how-to” book on safety improvement and creating a safety culture.
Download a Chapter Excerpt
Leadership is the bedrock of a BBS initiative. If an organization is to create a safe culture and produce positive outcomes from it, leadership must consistently support safety. Leaders need to engage in behaviors that demonstrate their value for safety. Taking the time to gain a deep understanding of behavioral science—how the environment influences behavior and what leadership does that promotes or hinders safety—is an important first step. Download this sneak peak to read more! »
Instructor Resources
For those interested in using The New Values-Based Safety in formal classes or through workshops, webinars, or book clubs, we offer an outline of the book's main points to use and customize as you might need. Download this resource here »
About the Authors
Terry McSween, PhD
Terry McSween is an internationally recognized expert in behavioral safety. He was the CEO and cofounder of Quality Safety Edge, a company that helped organizations improve safety and leadership through behavioral psychology. Dr. McSween is the author of myriad publications and research articles on behavioral safety and has received numerous awards for his work.
Adam Hockman
Adam Hockman applies behavioral and implementation science in corporate learning, occupational safety, education, healthcare, and the performing arts. He is Chief Learning Architect at ABA Technologies, Inc., where he helps clients build systems to improve employee experience, performance, and safety. He has received awards and grants for his research and dissemination efforts in behavior science.
Praise for The New Values-Based Safety
I unequivocally recommend this book as the most successful and practical safety book available. It is not just a safety book; it's a transformative tool that has shaped the landscape of organizational change efforts for the past 3 decades. The new edition will have a lasting impact on how leaders go about creating and sustaining their safety cultures.
In the safety field it is rare to find well-written books with straightforward, practical, and effective guidelines for developing companywide action plans. This is one of those books. Read it carefully. It will help you make a beneficial difference in your organization.
The book provides clear steps for making safety a team effort, where leaders and workers all have important roles. It discusses ideas such as training people to watch out for risks, setting safety goals and rewarding safe behaviors. By following these steps, workplaces can become safer and friendlier because everyone works together to keep each other safe