BELT Protocol @EverythingHR 2024 Conference

At the EverythingHR 2024 conference in Brasov, Romania, Enrico Banchi delivered a compelling keynote on the BELT system—a practical, evidence-based approach to transforming workplace safety and culture. Here’s a concise overview of the core ideas and actionable strategies from his presentation, and how BELT is raising the bar for safety in modern organizations.

Rethinking Safety: From Slogans to Mindset

Enrico challenged the “safety first” cliché, arguing that real safety is not about slogans or priorities but about making safe behavior a daily habit. He illustrated how, in high-risk environments, safety must be internalized by everyone—not just enforced from above. Unsafe behaviors, often rooted in habit and routine, are responsible for the vast majority of workplace accidents. By targeting these behaviors, organizations can make significant, lasting improvements in safety performance1.

Why Unsafe Behaviors Persist

People often continue unsafe practices because they haven’t experienced negative consequences—“I’ve always done it this way and nothing happened.” This complacency is reinforced by workflow pressures and sometimes even by management’s tacit approval. Over time, shortcuts become the norm, undermining safety culture and trust1.

The BELT Approach: Behavior, Engagement, Leadership, Teams

BELT stands for:

• Behavior: Focus on observable actions, not just attitudes. Reinforce safe behaviors through praise and recognition.

• Engagement: Involve all employees in identifying, monitoring, and improving safety practices.

• Leadership: Managers act as facilitators, empowering teams rather than enforcing rules through punishment.

• Teams: Foster collective responsibility, where safety is a shared value and everyone holds each other accountable1.

Tools for Proactive Safety

BELT uses several practical tools to embed safety into daily routines:

• Safety Performance Inventories: Checklists that track specific safe and unsafe behaviors, tailored to each department’s risks.

• Safety Crosswalks: Peer-to-peer observations that encourage cooperation and open communication.

• Psychometric Color Profiles: Tools to improve communication and customize safety interventions for different personalities.

• The Bradley Curve: A model for assessing and advancing safety culture from reactive to interdependent1.

Behavior Change Drives Attitude Change

Enrico emphasized that changing behavior is more effective than trying to change attitudes directly. When employees consistently act safely—supported by positive feedback and social approval—their attitudes and group norms shift over time. Punitive approaches, on the other hand, suppress reporting and create resentment. Positive reinforcement and team-driven norms build lasting change1.

The Impact of BELT

Organizations that adopt BELT see fewer accidents, better communication, and stronger teamwork. Safety becomes an integral part of daily operations, not just a compliance exercise. By empowering employees and focusing on behaviors, BELT creates a proactive, blame-free safety culture where everyone is invested in success1.

Key Takeaways for Leaders

• Make safety a daily habit, not just a priority.

• Focus on changing behaviors through positive reinforcement.

• Engage teams in setting and monitoring their own safety goals.

• Empower managers to coach and support, not just enforce.

• Use practical tools to measure and sustain progress.

The BELT system is more than a program—it’s a movement toward safer, more engaged, and more productive workplaces. If you’re ready to transform your organization’s safety culture, BELT offers the tools, strategies, and mindset to make it happen1.