[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 2 (Monday, January 12, 2004)]
[Page 50]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.