Safety Incentives in Action
A mining company's program helped it achieve the safest year in its history and save as much as $5 million.
In the mining industry, the average cost of a
lost-time accident (LTA) is approximately
$50,000. To raise awareness of good safety
practices on and off the job, mining company
Massey Energy developed an incentive program
that would motivate its predominately
male workforce of coal miners, supervisors,
and mine safety directors to improve individual,
team, and mine safety performance.
Football was a theme that had broad
appeal for this target audience. With the goal
of improving team performance, it was logical
to create the “Raymond Safety Bowl,” which
was named after a former employee, Raymond
Bradbury, who was legendary for his concern
for safe work habits.
Each eligible employee was appointed to a
designated football team within his location.
The teams competed monthly within their
location and with other locations for the best
safety performance records. Each month,
points were awarded based on a three-tiered
accrual system. One-third of the points were
based on each individual team member working
the month without a lost-time accident or
a disqualifying absence. Another third of the
points were based on the member’s team working the month without an LTA, and the
final third of the points were awarded based
on the member’s mine site working the month
without an LTA.
Participants received quarterly updates on
their program points via U.S. mail and also
were able to access these updates via the
company’s Web site. Points were redeemable
from the Raymond Safety Bowl Catalog, as
well as online. Participants who did not have a
disqualifying absence and whose team had no
lost-time accidents were eligible for a quarterly
prize drawing. A grand prize drawing was
also held for participants who worked the
entire year without a disqualifying absence or
lost-time accident.
Available in print and online, the award
catalog included a variety of outdoor hunting,
fishing, and camping items; electronic products;
luggage; and home accessories, including
appliances and lawn equipment. These
well-chosen incentives were critical to the
success of this program.
The program was branded with a
“Raymond Safety Bowl” logo and a caricature
of Raymond that appeared on the catalog, the
Web site, and a series of safety banners displayed
at each mine location. Banners promoted
the program and carried themed safety
messages, such as “Don’t be penalized by a
back injury -- Stretch for Safety!” Throughout
the year, participants also received branded
caps, footballs, hardhat decals, T-shirts, etc.
to keep the program fresh.
As a result of the “Raymond Safety Bowl,”
Massey Energy -- a company founded in 1916 --
experienced its safest year in the company’s
history. Absenteeism decreased, favorably
impacting productivity and profitability. Losttime
accidents were reduced by 47 percent
over the previous year. Based on this recordbreaking
safety performance and industry
averages, Massey Energy experienced an estimated
cost reduction of up to $5 million for
lost-time accidents.