Every journey begins with a single step, and the National Safety Council is encouraging U.S. businesses to take that step today. They designed the Journey to Safety Excellence campaign, the largest advocacy effort of its kind, to act as a roadmap to help employers of every size and in every industry keep their workers free from harm. Unfortunately, our nation needs it; according to the council, nearly 11 workers die on the job every day and accidents injure 5 million annually. Another 400,000 contract illnesses in the workplace each year—and 50,000 die as a result.
We can all agree that these are unacceptable numbers in a country that considers workers one of its most important assets. Not only do preventable accidents and illnesses in the workplace often provoke the wrath of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but safe businesses generally enjoy greater financial success, better workers and lower employee turnover in exchange for their diligence. Working towards “safety excellence” can boost employee morale, increase productivity and lower operating costs.
“The National Safety Council has been an important partner throughout OSHA’s history,” said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on the campaign’s website. “Their newest initiative, the Journey to Safety Excellence, is essential in helping a company or organization become successful in their quest for and commitment to workplace safety.”
Employers can access Journey to Safety Excellence documents and tools online at the National Safety Council website. There you will find a number of valuable resources including:
Journey Tools – Designed to help you benchmark your safety performance against that of your competitors, these tools will help you measure baselines and identify areas for improvement. You’ll also find tools to help you set realistic goals and monitor your company’s progress towards safety excellence.
Journey Guides – Review webinars, best practices, training resources and more as you explore workplace safety and health topics. From safety basics to risk reduction, you’ll learn everything you need to know to start your own journey to safety excellence.
Safety Talk – A discussion board dedicated to workplace safety, you’ll find dozens of helpful topic threads and can even start your own. Build a profile and connect with safety advisors and other business owners to share best practices and safety solutions.
Journey News – Get the latest information on workplace safety, from trends and events to new tools and resources.
To learn more about the Journey to Safety Excellence, download the free introductory guide today. And don’t hesitate to contact your risk management or workplace safety advisor for assistance creating or optimizing your company’s safety program.
