    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [January 9, 2004]
    [Page 43]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on the Safety, Health, and Return-to-Employment (SHARE)
    Initiative
    January 9, 2004

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: The Safety, Health, and Return-to-Employment (SHARE) Initiative

        The cost of Federal workplace injuries, when measured by workers'
    compensation losses, is more than $2 billion and 2 million lost
    production days annually. In fiscal year 2003, the Federal workforce of
    almost 2.7 million filed more than 168,000 injury claims. Behind these
    numbers lie pain and suffering by workers and their families. Clearly,
    Government agencies should strive to do more to improve workplace safety
    and health and reduce the costs of injury to workers and taxpayers. Many
    workplace injuries are preventable.
        Therefore, I am establishing SHARE: Safety, Health, and Return-to-
    Employment Initiative, a safe workplace initiative for fiscal years
    2004-2006. The initiative's four goals cover the most important elements
    of a strong safety and health management program: lower workplace injury
    and illness case rates, lower lost-time injury and illness case rates,
    timely reporting of injuries and illnesses, and fewer lost days
    resulting from work injuries and illnesses. The Secretary of Labor will
    lead the SHARE Initiative and will measure the performance of each
    department and agency against the goals. I direct all executive branch
    departments and agencies to participate in SHARE for this 3-year period.
        Each department and agency will collaborate with the Department of
    Labor to establish challenging annual goals based on its current
    performance in the four areas. The Department of Labor will measure and
    track agency performance, and will report to me annually on each
    agency's progress towards meeting its goals. The Department of Labor's
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Office of Workers'
    Compensation Programs will also work with Federal departments and
    agencies to develop new workplace strategies to improve safety and
    health at high injury rate sites, assist them in improving the
    timeliness of reporting claims through electronic and other means, and
    guide them in providing suitable work and tools for injured and disabled
    employees.
        Federal supervisors and managers must focus management tools and
    resources on eliminating unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.
    Federal employees should be encouraged to perform their jobs safely,
    effectively, and alertly to remain injury-free. Dedication to ensuring
    our Government workforce family is safe and healthy preserves the
    resources of Government and helps promote the delivery of Government
    services to the American people.

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this memorandum.