BEHAVIOURAL SAFETY CONVERSATIONS GUIDE

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF BEHAVIOURAL SAFETY CONVERSATIONS

This step by step guide will help you plan, prepare and understand behavioural safety so
that you can carry out your behavioural safety conversations effectively and successfully.

Before Starting Do Don’t

Planning ahead will always
prove more successful. The
key phrase is
‘understanding’.
Ask open questions (those
that cannot be answered
‘yes’ or ‘no’) to determine
understanding. Ask closed
questions (‘yes’ or ‘no’) to
get confirmation.
Be cautious of leading
questions that may be based
on your perceptions or
assumptions as these may
mislead you. Staff may agree
with you to keep you happy.

Before Approaching Someone

Choose the right place and
time. Wait for a natural
break in activity. This is
likely to gain better co-
operation.
Ensure it is a place where It may need to be conducted
understanding can take in a quiet place away from
place both on a practical the normal workplace and
and an educational basis. distractions.