Picture a fitness app that only tracks your missed workouts and never celebrates your achievements. Sounds absurd, right? Yet, this is exactly how workplace safety has been approached for decades. This was the opening of our pitch at SXSW Sydney's Future of Work competition, where Scratchie was honored to receive an honourable mention among hundreds of innovative applicants.
Transforming Workplace Safety Through Positive Reinforcement
At Scratchie, we're turning the traditional safety paradigm on its head. Instead of focusing solely on incidents and near-misses, we're championing a positive approach that recognizes and rewards safe behaviors in real-time. This vision resonated strongly with the SXSW judges and audience, earning us recognition alongside outstanding fellow finalists Angela Shi (Empathetic AI) and Janhvi Sirohi (Outread).
Our pitch highlighted a critical challenge in workplace safety: despite increasing regulations, safety outcomes have plateaued. In Australia alone, 195 workers lost their lives in workplace incidents last year. These statistics aren't just numbers – they represent real people, families, and communities affected by workplace accidents.
From Construction Sites to Restaurant Kitchens
While Scratchie began in construction, our impact has expanded across diverse industries. Today, we're proud to partner with organizations ranging from major construction companies to McDonald's restaurants, demonstrating the universal appeal of positive reinforcement in workplace safety.
The response has been remarkable:
- 96% of workers prefer sites using Scratchie
- Immediate recognition through instant rewards
- Partnerships with industry leaders like SafetyCulture, Oracle, and Procore
- Successful implementation across multiple industries
Looking Forward
This recognition at SXSW Sydney reinforces what we've known all along: positive reinforcement works. Whether it's a construction worker being recognized for proper equipment checks or a restaurant staff member maintaining excellent food safety practices, immediate recognition of safe behaviors is transforming workplace culture.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
- The expert panel of judges: Kylie Frazer (Flying Fox Ventures), Sid Kasbekar (Airtree), and Stephen Rutter (The Scale Institute)
- Rita Yates for making this opportunity possible
- Phil Ore at 25eight for valuable guidance
- VentureCrowd for their sponsorship
- Our incredible team who supports our vision daily
Join the Safety Revolution
Ready to see how positive reinforcement can transform safety culture in your workplace? Contact us to learn more about how Scratchie can help make safety rewarding at your organization.
This post was originally published on November 14, 2024.
