Melissa J. Ruminski

Back in 2010, the Canadian province of Nova Scotia announced a penalty system that would allow the government to issue fines to workers and front-line supervisors for safety violations. The move seemed so controversial that I assigned a member of the Safety+Health editorial team to track the story as it progressed.

One of my favorite sections of the magazine is the “What’s Your Opinion?” poll, which is featured on the “Etc.” page that concludes every issue of Safety+Health. If you look at this month’s Etc. page, however, you’ll see that something is missing – your voice.

A lot of information about motivating workers is available. What’s lacking is advice to motivate you – the safety pro – to maintain your enthusiasm for, and dedication to, your job.

Congratulations to Senior Associate Editor Kyle W. Morrison, who has been recognized with a 2013 “Azbee” from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for his May 2012 article, “GHS is here.”

In Itasca, IL, where the National Safety Council’s headquarters are located, safety cones and barrels have been a regular sight, as one of the area’s main roads has been under construction for more than a year. During that time, I’ve had many opportunities to observe the hazards that road construction crews are exposed to, not the least of which are drivers ignoring the “slow” signs displayed by flaggers – and frequently talking on cell phones.

The National Safety Council has unveiled the Journey to Safety Excellence – a cycle of improvement that aims for a continual reduction of risk, with a goal of zero injuries.

Of the things I may be known for, gracefulness is not one of them. As a child I learned to clean and dress my own cuts and scrapes simply because they happened so frequently I didn’t want to bother my mother with them. A couple of my fingers are so crooked from being broken/sprained/jammed during my more athletic days that to look at them you’d think I was a wide receiver in the NFL.

2012 was an interesting year to be a part of the National Safety Council. As NSC prepared for its 100th anniversary – uncovering old documents and objects to create a retrospective of the role the council has played in the safety movement – staffers and volunteers were provided with multiple opportunities to gain a new appreciation for the organization to which they dedicate so much time and effort.