Learning from the positive: Can non-punitive approaches encourage compliance in the construction industry?

Aims: In Australia, current national policy endorses a responsive approach to work health and safety regulation, combining positive motivators (education and advice), with compliance monitoring and enforcement to encourage and secure compliance with legislation . There is limited evidence regarding how to achieve responsive regulation in practice. Using positive psychology as a novel paradigm, this study aims to investigate how the non -punitive aspects at the lowest levels of the enforcement pyramid can be improved to more effectively encourage and assist regulatory compliance and promote safety in construction . Methods: As part of a larger project, data were collected with 35 inspectorate staff¹ and nine managers and employees from the Queensland construction industry . Using an inductive approach, qualitative investigation was conducted to identify positive psychological principles which underpin non -punitive regulatory actions .