The long-term effects of a token economy on safety performance in open-pit mining.

A token economy that used trading stamps as tokens was instituted at two dangerous open-pit mines. Employees earned stamps for e.g. working without lost-time injuries, or lost stamps if e.g. they or other workers in their group were injured. Implementation of the token economy was followed by large reduction in the number of days lost from work because of injuries, the number of lost-time injuries, and the costs of accidents and injuries. The reduction in costs far exceeded the costs of operating the token economy. All improvements were maintained over several years.