[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4874-S4875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 276--DESIGNATING THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON JUNE 10 AND 
        ENDING ON JUNE 14, 2002, AS ``NATIONAL WORK SAFE WEEK''

  Mr. BOND submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 276

       Whereas Congress believes that 100 percent of workplace 
     injuries are preventable when employers and employees work 
     together;
       Whereas both employer and employee attitudes and awareness 
     are essential to maintain an injury-free workplace;
       Whereas the total nationwide workplace accident costs in 
     1998 were $122,600,000,000, with a national average of 
     $28,000 per disabling injury and $940,000 per work-related 
     death;
       Whereas workplace injuries also carry indirect or hidden 
     costs that cannot be calculated, such as property damage, 
     lost production, and modified duty; and
       Whereas the period beginning on June 10 and ending on June 
     14, 2002, will be declared Work Safe Week in the State of 
     Missouri: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the period beginning on June 10 and ending 
     on June 14, 2002, as ``National Work Safe Week'' to be 
     recognized by--
       (A) employers and employees committing themselves to 
     creating an injury-free workplace;
       (B) employers and employees taking all necessary steps to 
     achieve this goal; and
       (C) employers and employees developing the habits and 
     approaches that will lead to injury-free workplaces 
     throughout the entire year; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the week with 
     appropriate activities.

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
proclaiming the week of June 10 to June 14, 2002 as National Work Safe 
Week. There is no more important goal than having every employee go 
home safely at the end of their work day.
  In my home State of Missouri, a program has been developed that helps 
employers work together with their employees to make sure everyone is 
focused on working safely. Once a year we set aside a week in June to 
recognize and promote this concept. This

[[Page S4875]]

year the week of June 10-14 is designated in Missouri as Work Safe 
Week.
  The goal of an injury free work place definitely is achievable. Too 
many times we assume that accidents are an inevitable part of the job. 
This just is not true. Accidents are preventable, largely through 
constant vigilance and common sense, as well as compliance with 
relevant safety standards.
  Missouri is especially attached to the goal of workplace safety since 
one of its native sons is currently the Assistant Secretary of Labor 
for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. John Hewnshaw 
built his career on implementing safety plans for such companies as 
Monsanto and Solutia. These plans were widely praised by safety 
professionals and have resulted in thousands of employees avoiding 
injuries and illnesses. I know that John is using the same reasonable 
style and practical approach in addressing the Nation's safety issues 
that he used in developing the safety plans for his private sector 
employers.
  These same common sense principles are at the heart of the Work Safe 
Week program in Missouri. The WorkSAFE program was started by Missouri 
Employers Mutual Insurance in 1997 to teach employers and employees how 
to Work Smart in an Accident-Free Environment.
  The WorkSAFE program is based on the premise that 20 percent of all 
workplace injuries are the result of unsafe working conditions, while 
the remaining 80 percent are caused by unsafe acts. The program is 
based on the belief that 100 percent of injuries are preventable when 
employers and employees work together. The program focuses on employer 
and employee attitudes and awareness in an effort to maintain an 
injury-free workplace.
  Prior employer and employee working attitudes can significantly 
correlate into costly workplace injuries which. For instance: Total 
1998 accident costs nationwide: $122.6 billion; and national average: 
$28,000 per disabling injury/$940,000 per work-related death.
  As tremendous as the direct costs are, there are costs you can not 
calculate. There are indirect or hidden costs such as property damage, 
lost production an modified duty. Parents who will not ever come home, 
bodies that are permanently damaged, and the trauma of witnessing an 
injury or fatality--these are emotional costs that the numbers do not 
reflect.
  By the end of Work Safe Week, I hope that employers and employees 
will have the kind of attitude that will keep employees safe and health 
while on the job the whole year through.

                          ____________________