The National Safety Council (NSC) on January 28 announced its 2009 CEOs Who "Get It," the council's annual recognition of corporate leaders who "get it" by demonstrating that employee safety is a core corporate value, cultivating safety leadership at all levels of their organizations, and supporting their employees with extensive safety training.
This year's roster of 10 individuals represents a wide range of industry, spanning construction, luxury transportation, nuclear power, and more. All dedicate themselves to cultivating safety leadership at all levels of their organizations and extending concern for safety to employees' families and homes, said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.
"It is a pleasure to recognize these leaders who demonstrate the kind of commitment we need to keep the people we work with, and their loved ones, safe," Froetscher said. "These CEOs understand that taking an innovative, dedicated approach to employee safety is not just the right thing to do, it is a 'must' in operating a successful and profitable workplace."
Profiles of CEOs Who "Get It" are the focus of the February 2009 issue of the NSC's Safety+Health members' magazine. Recognized this year are:
Robert Bellagamba, president, chief executive officer and chief financial officer, Concorde Limousine Inc., Freehold, N.J. As part of his dedication to safety and health, Bellagamba requires all chauffeurs to take defensive driving and also offers training at reduced rates to employees' families and local civic groups.
Larry C. Bryant, commissioner, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, West Columbia, S.C. Bryant's approach to safety and health includes a proactive stance that believes money invested in safety saves money by preventing injuries, lowering insurance costs, lowering medical expenses and increasing productivity and staff morale.
Daniel S. Fulton, president and CEO, Weyerhaeuser Company, Federal Way, Wash. Fulton's employees note his focus on greatest potential for safety improvements, including zero-incident goals and safety standards unrelated to company budgets or production schedules.
James H. Miller, chairman, president and CEO, PPL Corporation, Allentown, Pa. Miller revamped his company's culture to focus on safety as an indicator of success. His approach includes risk prevention and implementation of a safety management software system that standardizes and streamlines safety reporting.
Davis Mullholand, president and CEO, CCI Mechanical Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah. As one measure of his commitment to safety and health, Mullholand supplied his employees with personal protective equipment long before it was required.
George H. Rogers III, chairman and CEO, RQ Construction Inc., Carlsbad, Calif. Among his accomplishments, Rogers added safety training conducted in both English and Spanish, believing "people will do the right things when they know the right things to do."
Vic Staffieri, chairman, president and CEO, E.ON U.S., Louisville, Ky. Staffieri's employees attest "they are empowered to stop" any job in which they feel unsafe and benefit from a "top down, employee-driven approach to safety."
Neil C. Stubits, commanding officer, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md. Stubits and his staff recently celebrated 1 million safe hours at the worksite. One of his employees attests, "Our captain firmly believes there is no job more rewarding or fulfilling than helping to protect the lives and well-being of the working men and women of this command."
Andrew P. Studdert, chairman, president and CEO, NES Rentals Holding Inc., Deerfield, Ill. In the wake of 2005 hurricanes that devastated some employee residences, Studdert demonstrated commitment to off-the-job safety by purchasing 16 trailer homes for employees to live in until their own homes were repaired.
Timothy J. Whitener, CEO, Luwa Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C. Among his accomplishments, Whitener added a national director of safety to his senior management staff, conducts annual appraisals tied to safety performance and oversaw development of a comprehensive "Construction Safety Handbook."
The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes, communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.
