Safety Observation STAR (SOS) Program: A Framework for Developing a Proactive Hazard Identification Culture Through Employee Recognition

Developing a strong workplace safety culture requires more than regulatory compliance and formal safety procedures. Effective safety management also depends on sustained employee participation in identifying hazards and reporting unsafe conditions before incidents occur. Although many organizations implement safety observation programs, maintaining long-term employee engagement in proactive hazard reporting remains a persistent challenge. This paper introduces the Safety Observation STAR (SOS) Program, a conceptual framework designed to strengthen proactive hazard identification through structured employee recognition mechanisms. The framework integrates safety observation practices with multi-level recognition processes intended to reinforce proactive safety behaviors and sustain employee participation in hazard identification activities. The proposed model outlines an operational pathway that links safety observation reporting with recognition systems, employee capability development, structured root cause analysis, and prioritization of corrective actions. By reinforcing proactive safety contributions, the framework aims to transform safety observation from a procedural reporting activity into an embedded element of organizational safety culture. The Safety Observation STAR (SOS) Program provides a practical conceptual model that organizations may adopt to strengthen employee engagement in safety observation practices and support continuous hazard identification. The framework also establishes a foundation for future empirical research examining the relationship between recognition-based safety engagement programs and proactive safety performance.