Case Study: Safety Awareness

Reducing accident claims at one of North America's largest grocery retailers: Vertical: Grocery sector Insight: Safety awareness, Measurement, Web-based tracking system, Recognition awards

The Issue

A large grocery retailer with rising medical and insurance costs recognized that changing front-line employee behavior was the only way to reduce accident claims.

The Solution

The grocery chain worked with Creative Options to create the 'Stores Targeting Accident Reduction' (STAR) program. Using safety posters, calendars, and a system of positive reinforcement, the program educates store-level employees about safe work practices.

After presenting a training session on safe working behaviors, the STAR Safety Team observes other employees at work - reinforcing safe behavior and providing coaching to reduce unsafe practices. The team enters statistics on both safe and unsafe behaviors into a web-based tracking system which measures the effectiveness of the program and the participation level of team members.

The Results

Accidents: DOWN 57%
Savings: $122,500,000

"In the 3.5 years the program has been running, we have seen a 57% reduction in accidents that have translated to approximately $35 million dollars a year. The program has provided the tools to align the safety process and created a safety culture. The accident costs have gone way down in spite of rising medical and insurance costs. This translates to $122.5 million in savings…

“I would personally like to thank the Creative Options team for providing a program that is second to none in the industry of reinforcing safe work habits… [in] all our stores and selected distribution centers. [STAR] is bringing tremendous success in helping our efforts to reduce accidents in the workplace and making our stores a safer place to work and shop for our associates and valued customers."

    ~ Director of Risk Management