‘Safety never takes a holiday,’ former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty tells attendees
Kyle Petty held one credo particularly dear during his life in stock car racing, whether working at his legendary family’s North Carolina garage or as a NASCAR driver.
“Safety never takes a holiday,” Petty said.
That theme highlighted Petty’s address Sept. 25 during the Opening Session of the 2017 National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Indianapolis, as a ballroom filled with attendees attentively listened to stories about early racing innovations and other asides from Petty’s career.
Petty also spoke candidly about the death of his son, Adam, a fourth-generation NASCAR driver who was killed in a crash during practice in May 2000. That event, together with the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. during the 2001 Daytona 500, helped spark a change in the sport’s safety culture.
“We sat down and talked about things. We looked at where we were as a company and what we could do to make our sport better,” said Petty, 57, whose last NASCAR race was in 2008. “NASCAR and the entire industry said we have to be proactive, we have to up our game.”
NASCAR has since introduced numerous safety technologies – including carbon fiber seating, inserts in head and neck support devices, and chassis designed to absorb more energy – for its drivers and cars.
Petty’s speech followed remarks from NSC President and CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman and newly elected NSC Board of Directors Chairman Mark Vergnano, who is filling the role previously held by John Surma. Hersman highlighted the importance of protecting workers from fatigue on the job, citing NSC data showing that up to 90 percent of sleep disorders go undiagnosed. Hersman recommends employers examine workers’ schedules, educate them about the importance of sufficient rest and sleep, and implement sleep disorder screenings.
Speaking on a stage adorned with a racecar, Hersman reiterated that the goal of NSC is to eliminate preventable deaths in our lifetime, an ongoing “race to zero.”
“Racing to zero means we can’t just address the obvious hazards in our environment; we have to understand the human being and understand what’s draining our batteries,” Hersman said. “Racing to zero means we have to be ready to take on new challenges. And this week, I want to ask you all, instead of running on empty, make sure you fill up your tanks. With your leadership, learning from each other and a good night’s sleep, I know we can win the race to zero.”
NSC recognizes 5 safety professionals with the Distinguished Service to Safety Award
The National Safety Council honored five individuals with its most prestigious award for safety professionals Sept. 25 during the Opening Session of the 2017 NSC Congress & Expo in Indianapolis.
NSC annually presents the Distinguished Service to Safety Award to people who have dedicated their careers to improving safety and health at work, on the roads, and in homes and communities. NSC Divisions members, the NSC Board of Directors and executive staff can nominate safety professionals for this award.
“This year’s winners have redefined success for everyone in the safety world,” Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of NSC, said in a press release. “Their commitment to safety is truly remarkable and we are honored to shine a spotlight on their achievements.”
The 2017 DSSA recipients are:
Business and Industry Division
Adele L. Abrams
Attorney/president
Law Office of Adele L. Abrams PC
Community Safety Division
Steven Pomponi
Senior safety consultant
PSA Financial
Construction and Utilities Division
Gary Tellish
Safety manager/training
Labor Division
Twana McFann
Safety technician
City of Columbus, Public Utilities
Transportation Division
John Brodbeck II
President
Mississippi Safety Services
The award was first presented in 1942 to recognize individuals and companies that worked to reduce occupational injuries during World War II. For more information, visit the National Safety Council’s website.
NSC honors safety achievers
The National Safety Council hosted its National Awards Celebration at the 2017 NSC Congress & Expo in Indianapolis. During the Sept. 26 event, NSC honored individuals and organizations that are helping to make roads, communities and workplaces safer.
Distinguished Service to Safety Award – presented to an individual for exemplary lifetime efforts in improving safety and health. (See the list of recepients.)
Rising Stars of Safety – recognizes tomorrow’s leaders, younger than 40, for their commitment to safety, their influence on safety culture and the creation of safety initiatives producing measurable outcomes. Meet the Rising Stars of Safety, Class of 2017.
Marion Martin Award – celebrates the accomplishments of women in the field of safety who have achieved professional excellence and have helped pave the way to success for other women. This year’s recipient is Alexi Carli, vice president of global health and safety at UPS Inc.
Joseph M. Kaplan Safe Driver of the Year Award – given to professional drivers for their miles and years driven without a preventable crash. Eleven individuals from UPS Inc., Shaw Regional Distribution Center and the U.S. Postal Service were honored this year. See a list of winners.
Occupational Awards – acknowledges the collective safety achievements and implementation of effective safety policies and procedures. Atkins Energy Americas, La-Z-Boy and Tri-City Electric Co. were among the organizations honored. See the full list.
Corporate Culture Award – bestowed upon organizations that have been the recipient of more than 50 awards from the NSC Awards Program. A few of the organizations honored this year were C&W Services, Delphi Automotive, NANA Management Services and Nexteer Automotive.
Community Advancement Award – presented to employers that show a commitment to safety for their employees, families and the communities in which they operate by providing exemplary off-the-job safety and health programs. The 2017 inaugural winner is Buffalo Gap Instrumentation & Electrical Co. Inc. of Taylor County, TX.
For more information on the NSC Awards Program, visit the National Safety Council’s website.
‘Best in Show’ New Product Showcase Awards
After more than 4,500 votes were cast, the results for the 2017 “Best in Show” New Product Showcase Awards were revealed Sept. 26 during the 2017 National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Indianapolis. The showcase provided exhibitors with the opportunity to highlight more than 125 of their newest and most innovative safety products, services and technologies. Voting was available both online and onsite. The winning products:
Win
Company: MSA
Product: ALTAIR 4XR Multigas Detector
Description: The MSA ALTAIR 4XR Multigas Detector provides (optional) real-time event notification using Bluetooth connectivity. This tough and reliable four-gas monitor with MSA XCell Sensors is among the fastest in the world and – when paired with the ALTAIR Connect App – can text alarm notifications to supervisors, team members or other users.
Place
Company: Werner Co.
Product: ProForm F3 Harness
Description: The Werner ProForm F3 Harness delivers function, fit and freedom. It is constructed with lightweight materials to deliver maximum comfort and unrelenting safety performance. In the event of a fall, simply pull the patented relief cords to deploy the built-in seat and achieve the Gravity Override position, reducing the potential hazards of suspension trauma. New WebAlert2 adds a weather-resistant coating to inspectable webbing. The addition of an integrated SRL bumper protects the lower back when wearing personal SRLs.
Show
Company: Conney Safety Products/WESCO
Product: Karbonhex Dusk Mechanic Gloves
Description: Extremely close-fitting and lightweight with hexgrip profile enhancements to key fingertip and palm grip points, these gloves have added anti-abrasion zones on the form-fitting rear. They have optimal comfort and feel, offering versatile pinpoint precision handling. Key features include hand-hugging superior fit, highly dexterous for performance-precision handling; ultra-thin (0.5 mm), yet durable, high-
dexterity synthetic palm and fingers; silicone-raised hexgrip matrix to fingertips and palm for enhanced grip; silicone-
reinforced stretch Lycra back for ease of movement; and fingertips that allow workers to use touch-screen devices.
