Out Of The Shadows

摘要

I have always found it interesting when SH&E professionals point out particular business leaders and proclaim that these executives "get it" when it comes to safety management in their organizations. The suggestion is that only a few astute and talented business leaders are able to grasp the concept that the proper management of safety is socially responsible, good business and a critical aspect of corporate governance. Does it really make sense to put the onus on the "unenlightened" business leaders for their failure to understand the importance of safety and SH&E professionals to their organizations, or shouldrnSH&E professionals be looking in the mirror when assigning blame? This question came to mind again recently when the Council on Professional Affairs (COPA) was working on some of the tasks relating to the Value of the Safety Professional project, as highlighted in the May 2008 and November 2008 issues of Professional Safety.rnOne of the goals related to that project isrnto increase the business community's understanding of the value of the SH&E professional. With that goal in mind, COPA reviewed ANSI voluntary consensus standard Z10-2005, Occupational Health and Safety Systems. During that review, it became apparent that we had not given business leaders sufficient guidance on how to fulfill their responsibilities regarding Z10, particularly as it relates to working with SH&E professionals. This failure to provide clear directions leaves business executives to their own devices on several important issues and minimizes the importance of the role of SH&E professionals in implementing Z10.