News Release

New Safety for HR Program Introduced

Itasca, IL - Worker injuries cost business and society an estimated $132 billion a year, providing a burden on businesses of all types. Many companies are asking Human Resources (HR) professionals to play a significant role in managing safety and holding down the skyrocketing costs of workers' compensation and health care. A new training program, developed by the National Safety Council, promises to help HR people manage safety more effectively and reduce those costs.

HR professionals are increasingly assuming greater responsibilities for managing safety, but many have no formal education, training or background in safety management. The new training program, "Making $ense of $afety" is aimed at providing the needed knowledge to HR managers and their staffs.

The program, which is being offered by National Safety Council chapters across the nation, is designed to assist HR staffs to understand the value of safety, including its impact on containing costs and increasing profits. "Many HR people are involved in various aspects of safety programs in their companies, but are unprepared for these responsibilities," said Scott A. Kappmeyer, Acting Chief Operating Officer of the National Safety Council. "This training program is designed to help HR professionals contain soaring workers' compensation and health care costs, reduce injuries and illnesses in their company, improve morale, and increase employee retention. The program introduces a balanced approach to safety that empowers employees, inspires continuous improvement, and meets OSHA requirements. Participants will discuss real-life situations and learn how to evaluate their safety initiatives and to build a comprehensive safety plan."

Topics covered in the course include:

• Occupational safety terms and concepts
• Motivators for improving safety and health performance
• The business case for selling safety to an organization
• The essential characteristics needed for safety excellence
• The role of leaders in safety performance
• How employee involvement can help or hinder safety performance
• Why and how to measure safety performance
• Managing continuous improvement in safety performance
• What to expect from OSHA: standards, inspections, and recordkeeping requirements
• Creating an action plan to implement at one's own workplace

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of NSC include more than 45,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913, and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is preventing injuries that occur in workplaces, homes, communities and motor vehicles. For additional information about the National Safety Council, visit www.nsc.org.