One of the cognitive techniques that has been proven effective is called visualization. You can use visualization to teach people safe strategies. Have them visualize safe practices and their outcomes. Such internal preparation allows people to evaluate potential events and consequences for themselves and others.

A well-known example of the effectiveness of visualization is found in the University of Chicago basketball foul shooting study. The experiment compared three groups. One group visualized successfully making foul shots. The other group actually practiced making shots. The control group did neither. The group who visualized did as well as those who practiced with a ball.

Many athletes have used visualization techniques to program behaviors by rehearsing a strategy or cognitive map. Golfer Jack Nicklaus has used this technique. The employees who use such techniques can improve safe behavior by visualizing safe practices and their outcomes. They can then anticipate what could happen and make decisions based on such a cognitive process.

Cognitive behavioral methods are essential for sustaining lasting change related to safety, health and environmental improvement, for both management and line employees. Training with a cognitive emphasis includes programs and exercises designed to affect attitudes, beliefs, values, knowledge, and judgment. Changes in thinking strongly influence the ways in which all employees manage stress, work with others, listen to instruction, and give and receive feedback. Importantly, self-knowledge in the area of safety impacts one's ability to observe and manage one's own thinking and behaviors and provides direct insight into accident prevention through self-monitoring. This is essential, because many accidents and injuries occur when people are alone, both on and off the job. (Topf, Professional Safety, May 1998).

Reality based methods, developed by William Glasser, provide additional cognitive-behavioral tools for self- or other-based coaching and counseling. Glasser's procedures help a person gain insight into his or her self-defeating attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors. It then helps him/her accept personal responsibility for the consequences of unsafe acts. Glasser's work is based on the theory that we are all driven by basic needs, and all of our behavior choices are our best attempt to cope and best satisfy our needs. In this system, unsafe behaviors are an attempt to satisfy our needs, (save time, comfort, convenience, money, etc.), coupled with the belief that "I can get away with it." People learn that safe behavior best satisfies our basic need to survive and thrive (take care of one's self, health, families, etc.) and provides us with the preferred long-range consequences.

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