Safety Incentive Team

The Create Responsible Attitudes and Safe Habits (CRASH) Team began work in the summer of 1997 with a specific goal in mind: To help create a safety-conscious culture at Weber State University.

After meeting weekly for several months, the team developed a program that was then tested.

(top) This team piloted a safety behavior modification program during Fall/Winter Quarter. -- Members of the team include (seated, l-r) Kelly Kapp, Physical Plant; Rick Wade, Physical Plant (back) Kathy Young, Physical Plant; Jolene Stevenson, (leader) Environmental Safety; Janet Villarruel, (facilitator) Vice President's Office. Not pictured: Kris Varney, Campus Life.

"The program we piloted in Physical Plant was very successful," stated Jolene Stevenson, team leader.

"The program increased safety awareness, increased communication between Physical Plant and Environmental Health & Safety, and seems to have given people the initiative to fix safety problems." Stevenson further explained, "Seven safety suggestions were implemented and many more are in the works but not yet completed."

One of the suggestions submitted by Dennis Miller of Landscaping identified potential back injuries at the Dee Events Center. Snow was manually shoveled and thrown to clear all areas of the steps on each side of the center. To correct the potential problem, work methods were changed and snow is now pushed into the center section of stairs instead of being lifted and thrown.

Another safety problem, identified by Clayton Roop of the Heat Plant, identified improper storage of chemicals in a mechanical room. To correct the unsafe situation, the chemicals were removed and building personnel were educated on chemical storage.

Slipping injuries of the Landscape crew were noted on a suggestion form by Jennifer Johnson. To solve the problem, Environmental Health & Safety plan to buy anti-slip treads for all members of the crew this fall.

Edward Helberg, also of Landscaping, identified a lack of earplugs in noisy areas. To solve the problem, boxes of earplugs were distributed to affected areas and training is available to those who request it.

The CRASH Team plans to expand the program to other areas. The program is made up of two components.

Individual Incentive -- Employees are encouraged to submit a Suggestion Form to identify a safety concern or suggest an idea that might make an area safer. A reward is presented to each individual whose idea is valid. Valid suggestions are also entered into a drawing for a larger prize. Employees are also encouraged to fill out a CRASH Card on co-workers caught doing something safely. Both the person submitting the card and the person being recognized are entered into a prize drawing.
Shop Incentive -- Rewards are given to the work area based on an accumulation of points. Points are accumulated by submitting CRASH Cards and Suggestion Forms, holding safety meetings, and conducting self-inspections. A Traveling Trophy is awarded to the work area with the most points. Work areas earning 65% or greater of the total possible points are invited to a "break-on-us" (refreshments) hosted by the team.