Reduction of unsafe work acts through behavior-based safety strategies in a technology services company in Lima, Peru

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how the implementation of behavior-based safety (BBS) strategies reduces unsafe work acts among workers in a technology services company in Lima, Peru. A quantitative, applied, pre-experimental pretest-posttest single-group design was used with a census sample of 30 operational workers. Variables were measured using structured observation checklists validated by expert judgment (validity coefficient > 85%) with inter-observer reliability established through Cohen's Kappa index (κ = 0.87). Seven BBS strategies were implemented over eight weeks: daily behavioral observations, immediate bilateral feedback, biweekly training sessions, monthly behavioral recognition, active breaks, wellness talks, and weekly verification checklists. Results showed that the overall average of unsafe acts decreased from 42.3% to 16.6% (reduction rate of 60.8%). All three dimensions of the dependent variable showed significant reductions: noncompliance with rules and procedures (from 43.8% to 16.7%; −61.9%), incorrect use of personal protective equipment (from 38.3% to 13.3%; −65.3%), and unsafe execution of critical tasks (from 44.9% to 19.9%; −55.7%). Paired-samples t-tests confirmed statistically significant differences in all cases (p < 0.001), with massive effect sizes (Cohen's d between 3.08 and 3.46). It is concluded that BBS strategies constitute an effective intervention for modifying unsafe behaviors and strengthening the preventive culture in technology sector companies.