Behaviour-based safety programs, which are now the guiding method used by many companies, shift employer responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace onto workers by focusing on workers' 'behaviour' rather than the workplace hazards which are the source of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. They undermine union-based health and safety committees and workplace solidarity based on collective bargaining.

The IUF 27th Congress adopted a resolution opposing behaviour-based safety and committing the IUF to develop programs to educate workers on their dangers, among other measures.

A new policy paper [1] and summary [2], developed by the IUF Food Processing Division [3], detail the destructive impact of these programs and explain how occupational safety and health management systems which truly protect workers' health and safety are developed and implemented.