Leadership and worker involvement toolkit
Behavioural gap analysis
Information sheet from Seven steps > Step 7 > Further tools
What is a behavioural gap Why should I do a behavioural gap analysis?
analysis?
You should use behavioural gap analysis to provide answers to
A behavioural gap analysis is a way of questions such as:
monitoring the gap between where
you are and where you want to be in ■■ I notice that one trade is having more accidents or near
relation to unsafe and safe working misses than the others. Why?
practices. In practice this means ■■ My site managers tell me certain sites and sections are much
observing the behaviours of workers less likely to erect tower scaffolds safely. Why?
on your site, and comparing these with
the standard of behaviour that you A behavioural gap analysis will help you to assess how
aspire to. vulnerable your workers are to potential risks and hazards. Once
you understand the problem, you can work out how to put
things right.
How do I do a behavioural gap analysis?
There are different ways you can carry out a behavioural gap analysis. You need to decide what is going to
work for you. The first step will almost certainly be to define, adopt or develop a relevant behavioural
standard.
Some businesses do a checklist to identify the health and safety standard that they are aiming for, and then
to identify whether workers are operating to that standard (see Table 1).
Table 1 – Example checklist items
Standard Yes No Part
Are walkways clear and free from obstruction?
Are work areas as clear as possible of unnecessary materials and
waste?
Other businesses may decide to put more detail into their behavioural gap analysis as shown in Table 2.
Table 2 – Example of detailed checklist items
Standard Required What we do at present Actions needed to be taken Comments/Notes
All walkways to be Walkways are Ensure designated storage areas
clear and free from obstructed by are created for materials.
obstruction. materials and waste. Walkways to be kept clear.
Waste needs to be disposed of in
designated areas
See the Example site observation checklist, in Step 7 > Further Tools, for a more detailed example. This
covers working at height, slips and manual handling.
Depending on the project and the size of the site you are working on you can develop a series of standards
for safe working behaviours.
To download this checklist complete the Leadership and worker involvement toolkit >
Seven steps > Step 7 > Further tools
When I have done a behavioural gap analysis how can I use the information to
encourage safe working practices?
You can use the information from your gap analysis:
■■ To set objectives with your workers and develop an action plan that will involve everyone working more
safely and engaging in less risky behaviours on site. See Step 6 of this toolkit for guidance on how to do
this.
■■ To focus training, safety briefings and tool box talks, to sections or areas of work where the risk appears
to be greater
For further information see www.hse.gov.uk/construction
The Leadership and Worker Involvement toolkit is aimed particularly at small and medium sized
businesses and is designed to help improve your health and safety and bring additional benefits to your
business performance and productivity.
Developed by the construction industry’s Leadership and Worker Engagement Forum. Hosted by HSE 06/12
