National Safety Survey: Accidents Happen ... Or Do They?

But the most common answer in this category, by far, was the need for improved management support, commitment and ownership.

“Before we are able to improve on safety anywhere in my organization, our upper management will need to get on board a let everyone know they are supportive,” one respondent wrote.

“I would like to see upper management push safe work practices as hard as they push production,” commented a respondent, while another lamented the fact that middle management at his company doesn't seem to understand that safety is a full-time job.

Cortez said that Hanover Co. is fortunate to have a supportive executive group “that understands how important safety is to the success of the company and the welfare and morale of the employees who work for them.”

“Safety is just part of the core value of the company along with schedule, quality or budget,” he said. “I think if more companies were open about that [safety hazards], they would step up and say, ‘This needs to be addressed, and here's what we're going to do to be proactive.’”

Cortez also drew attention to the fact that shrinking safety budgets could put some EHS programs — and worker safety — at risk. (This year, 15 percent of EHS leaders reported that their safety budgets had decreased in 2010, compared to 23 percent last year.)

“It's up to us to stand up and say that [safety] has got to continue to be as important as the rest of the business is,” Cortez said. “We're here to protect the people, and your employees are your most valuable asset.”

At the end of the day, keeping employees safe, healthy and productive is no accident. After all, as one respondent noted in the survey, “EHS is a 24-hour job that never quits.”

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT SALARY?

Less than $35,000	7%
$35,000-$44,000	9%
$45,000-$54,000	14%
$55,000-$64,000	15%
$65,000-$74,000	11%
$75,000-$84,000	12%
$85,000-$94,000	10%
$95,000-$104,000	9%
More than $105,000	13%
Total	100%

FOR WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS DO YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITY?

Safety	93%
Industrial Hygiene	57%
Occupational Health	62%
Environmental Compliance	55%
Emergency Preparedness	71%
Ergonomics	58%
Fire Protection	56%
Workers' Compensation	35%

HOW WOULD YOU RATE DR. DAVID MICHAELS' PERFORMANCE SO FAR AS OSHA ADMINISTRATOR?

Excellent	3%
Good	24%
Average	27%
Fair	7%
Poor	4%
Do not know	34%
Total	100%

EHS Leaders At a Glance

64%
of survey respondents work full-time in EHS.

79%
considered themselves “adequately educated and trained” for their EHS responsibilities.

68%
hold a college degree (bachelor's through doctoral).

82%
claimed that top management within their organization provides active, visible support for occupational safety and health.

14%
said upper management does not provide active, visible support.

Injuries and illnesses most frequently targeted by these EHS leaders include: 1) sprains and strains; 2) back injuries; 3) arm and hand injuries; 4) falls; and 5) hearing loss.

66%
of EHS leaders said safety was on par with production at their organizations.

COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR, DID THE BUDGET FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN YOUR FACILITY/ORGANIZATION IN 2010:

Increase more than 10%	5%
Increase 1-10%	12%
Stay the same	54%
Decrease 1-10%	10%
Decrease more than 10%	5%
Do not know	14%
Total	100%

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DO YOU CURRENTLY HOLD?

Certified Safety Professional	68%
Certified Industrial Hygienist	15%
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager	24%
Certified Occupational Health Nurse	2%
Qualified Environmental Professional	21%

No Whining Zone

EHS professionals apparently need to have a tough skin. While many survey participants indicated that they receive few to no complaints and that their work force exhibits a strong safety culture, others had a different story to tell.

Some of the common complaints respondents reported hearing about their organizations' health and safety programs are outlined below:

“Accidents don't happen to me — why do I need to take all the safety precautions?”

“I don't want to wear eye protection.”

“Safety is boring.”

“It is too complicated.”

“It is too intrusive.”

“Damn, I have to go to driver training again?”

“It takes too long to implement all the safety requirements. I could have the job already done.”

“The videos are old and outdated.”

“There are no rewards for good performance.”

“I've been doing this work for 10 years and nothing has happened.”

“The safety guy is a pain.”

“Too much paperwork!”

Does any of this sound familiar? Keep some of these complaints in mind during training and communications to be sure all employees understand the importance of safety.