I recently read an opinion:

“Gamification in occupational health and safety is a fun idiocy. If it is about work with real dangerous factors, it should be taken very seriously.”

Are you sure you know what gamification is?

It’s not serious!

Employee engagement will remain one of the main challenges facing organizations today and in the near future. Gameplay elements and mechanics to increase people’s motivation, engagement, and interest in various activities are widely used in various industries, including business, education, health care, and even occupational health and safety. Although the use of game elements can add fun and entertainment to certain activities, gamification has serious benefits and effects.

First, gamification helps to attract and retain the attention of participants, making the process more interactive and exciting. Using game elements such as achievements, rankings, and rewards motivates people to achieve goals and improve their performance.

Second, gamification promotes learning and development. Game scenarios and tasks allow participants to actively and safely apply knowledge and skills in a practical situation, which ensures more effective learning of the material and development of key competencies.

Gamification can deliver significant results in a variety of areas if correctly apply and integrate this method.

Games are not a substitute for learning and practicing skills!

Gamification does not claim to replace practical skill development, but it can be a useful addition to this process. In the context of occupational health and safety, gamification can be used to strengthening understanding safety rules and procedures, training employees to deal effectively with dangerous situations, or creating a competitive atmosphere that encourages safe behavior.

However, it is important to understand that gamification is not the only or ideal solution for skill acquisition. It can be used in conjunction with practical sessions, training and mentoring to create a comprehensive and effective approach to skills development. It is important to take into account the specifics of occupational health and safety and provide appropriate feedback so that gamification is an effective and useful tool for improving safety and conscious behavior in the workplace.

After all, the effectiveness of gamification depends on how it is integrated into the educational process and what goals it sets for the participants. In some cases, gamification can be an effective method for increasing motivation and engagement, but in other situations, a more direct and hands-on approach may be required. The final decision on whether or not to use it should be based on the specific needs and goals of the organization.

Let’s move on to real cases.

In 2019, a digital project called “Look Around” was launched in the “Downstream” division of the Metallurgical segment. This project was developed with the aim of actively involving all company employees RUSAL in the process of identifying potential security threats. A special information technology service is used to inform about any dangerous situations.

In 2022, the “Look Around” project was continued, and in total, a quarter of the employees of the “Downstream” division (1,312 people) took an active part in this initiative. This resulted in a significant increase of 37% in the number of detected security threats compared to 2019.

Evraz, one of the largest metallurgical and mining companies in the world, launched the project “Hunting for risks” to improve the level of safety in production. With the help of a mobile application, employees can record potentially dangerous situations and send information to a single database, where experts share advice on eliminating risks.

The application also offers tasks to find different types of hazards, for the completion of which employees receive points and the opportunity to exchange them for prizes and gifts.

The “Risk Hunting” project showed positive dynamics, involving employees in the process of identifying and preventing risks. The results of the project are confirmed by the improvement of safety indicators and efficiency of labor protection.

Starting in 2021, the Uralkali mobile application will feature the “Report risks and breaches of the Privacy Policy” service, available to all employees. The service was created so that workers engaged in production could timely warn OP and PB specialists and mine management management about observed violations, as well as about potential risks of danger to workers or equipment.

Employees can submit their ideas and suggestions for industrial and other improvements, including improving working conditions and measures to reduce the risk of injury. All ideas are checked for necessity and feasibility every month. Depending on the category of importance of the accepted proposal, the initiators are paid a reward.

In 2020, the NLMK company launched the IT service for the registration of dangerous events “Statement of Dangers”, which allowed to eliminate more than nine hundred thousand violations during this time.

For a year, the company has been running a unique program for recognizing the merits of employees – NLMK Sferum. Ferums are awarded for achievements in one’s field – bonus points that can be accumulated or exchanged for valuable items. Another no less important effect of the entire incentive system is educational.

All participants learn to see the dangers around them, correctly submit initiatives, train and involve colleagues in these changes. Gradually, the safety culture should become an internal human need.