Safety Award Programs
Encourage employees to exercise greater care.
With the costs of accidents so high, both in financial costs and human costs, it is beneficial to implement a safety program that will reward your employees for being more conscious of the dangers around themselves and others.
The purpose of a safety program is to encourage employees to exercise greater care and be more conscious of hazards so that the number of accidents will be reduced.
Who Needs a Safety Program?
Any time you have a large group of employees working together in a workplace that has potential hazards; a safety award program is a good idea. Typically organizations that have more than 100 employees, who may use heavy or dangerous equipment, or do shift work.
The purpose of a safety program is to encourage employees to exercise greater care and be more conscious of hazards so that the number of accidents will be reduced.
What Type of Rewards Work?
There are many types of rewards that can be offered for such a program. It has been determined that tangible incentives are highly desired by participants as they serve as symbols of success, as well as they reinforce pride of achievement and teamwork. When you recognize and reward safe behaviours you send the message that you are trying to build a positive and safe environment.
How Much Will it Cost Me?
Safety incentive and recognition programs are not an expense, they are an investment. Safety professionals know that reducing the risk of accidents can greatly reduce insurance premiums, equipment costs, fewer days lost on the job, disability claims, and human costs. Implementing a program doesn’t need to be expensive, just effective and timely. In addition to immediate savings gained from a reduction in incidents and longer-term savings on Workers’ Compensation premiums, there are ongoing gains from having a highly motivated and productive workforce.
Annual Death Toll
WCB-Alberta’s 2025 Annual Report recorded 144 accepted fatality claims, compared with 203 in 2024. Every workplace fatality is a reminder that clear procedures, safe behaviour, and consistent recognition matter. (WCB-Alberta 2025 Annual Report)
Benefits to Offering Safety Award Programs:
• Practice good safety procedures
• Create a culture of safety
• Reduce on the job accidents
• Reduce insurance costs
• Lower worker’s compensation costs
• Avoid costly interruptions to operations
• Improve productivity
• Improve employee attitude and morale
• Improve overall product quality
• Enhance a feeling of teamwork
• Pride of accomplishment
• Productive habits
• Elimination of many hazards
• A better safety record
Organizations that can Benefit:
- Manufacturing
- Oilfield
- Construction
- Transportation
- Trades
- Fishing
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Utilities
- Service
- Government
- Industrial
How Level 2 Can Help You
Once you have the basic outline of your program developed (budget, timeline, goals, etc.), we can help you put together the tangible rewards that will wow your participants. We will work within your budget, can create catalogues of the products, and also work with you on the different procurement methods available.
Contact us today for more information and assistance on developing the right program for your team.
Reward Behavior
When setting up your program, each company will have its own unique levels that they expect its participants to achieve.
Actual Rewards
There are two ways to reward your employees.
Pros: Some companies feel money is a great incentive because it is
- Simple to use.
- The bearer can choose to do with it what he/she chooses.
Cons:
- When money is given out consistently, it becomes an entitlement, not a reward.
- It quickly loses its motivational ability.
- It does not last.
- Often spent on groceries or the utility bill.
Pros: Tangible items or “incentive based premiums” can be effective.
- Items can be company promotional products, electronics, clothing, jewellery, etc.
- These items stay around longer than money.
- They have a gift nature which adds to the specialness of the reward.
- They serve as symbols of success.
- They are more creative.
- Are more likely to stimulate excitement.
- Can have a higher perceived value than what they actually cost.
- Are gifts without the guilt of how money should be spent.
- Are less likely to encourage cheating within the program.
- Employees and their families are constantly reminded of the incentive each time they use the gift.
Cons:
- Ensure you choose the right rewards for the program. The rewards need to be strong enough to influence habitual behaviour, and provide adequate incentive for participants.
Why Safety Programs?
A well-designed program provides benefits for both the employee and employer. It helps lower the risk of workplace accidents and deaths. It also means less time lost on the job and lower insurance claims.
How to Create a Successful Safety Program
Budget – first determine a budget for the safety award program.
Occupational Health and Safety Statistics
The latest figures below come from the WCB-Alberta 2025 Annual Report. Lost-time claim and disabling-injury figures are projected by WCB-Alberta so late-reported claims are included.
Common safety award questions
How does a safety award program work?
An organization defines the safe behaviours or milestones it wants to recognize, sets clear rules and a budget, communicates the program, and delivers rewards consistently. The recognition should reinforce the safety program—not replace training, supervision, reporting, or hazard controls.
What kinds of rewards can be used?
Useful branded merchandise, workwear, and milestone gifts can all support a program. The right choice depends on the workforce, the achievement being recognized, the work environment, and the available budget.
What should we decide before selecting rewards?
Confirm the program goal, eligibility rules, timeline, number of participants, budget, and how rewards will be ordered and distributed. Level 2 can then help narrow the product choices.
Building or refreshing a safety award program? Tell us about your team and we’ll help with the reward side.