Safety is Not Proprietary
Joe Whiteman, director of safety services  4-2021

Trade secrets, industry connections and “secret sauce” all have their place and should be guarded well to help you maintain your edge. One of the areas where we should not play our cards close to our chest, however, is safety. Safety applies to everyone, in every facet and level within your organization, and out in the field. Safety should be considered an “open door” policy, shared, encouraged and discussed.

Sharing how we solve problems and challenges to safety helps broaden our awareness and commitment. As we share lessons learned, safety moments and near hits, it provides others the opportunity to learn from our experiences. By doing this, when a similar situation presents itself, we are better prepared and ready to head that exposure or risk off before it becomes a safety hazard. ASCC has always prided itself on having its members being the safest in the industry, and we encourage all of you to continue sharing and asking your fellow members for help. That’s what we’re here for.

Another way to provide opportunities to learn and expand safety awareness is by participating in ASCC’s monthly safety roundtable. Each month is a focused on a different topic where members share experiences, challenges, and resources. It may be a topic that you or your company feel well versed in and choose not to attend. However, you may be the subject matter expert who can share that gold nugget that saves another member a potential injury or incident.

Another way safety knowledge can be shared is by participating in ASCC’s safety mentor program. Are you charged with wearing the safety hat in your organization? Is there a particular area in safety where you or your safety professionals can use some expert advice? Perhaps its Workman’s Compensation or Fall Protection? Or do you have experience in a certain area that you’d be willing to share with someone looking for help? Let us know and ASCC can help connect you to the right safety mentor to meet your need. As we share our safety knowledge it raises our awareness, reinforces our commitment, and helps create a safer environment that benefits everyone in our industry. For more information about the Safety Roundtables or the Safety Mentor program, contact me at jwhiteman@ascconline.org.