Editor's Note

This month’s issue of Safety+Health does a lot of looking back.

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.”

I’ve used “past and future” as a theme for this column before. But looking at the coverage in this month’s issue of Safety+Health, I’m struck by how, once more, it applies.

As part of the 2013 Job Outlook survey, Safety+Health asked safety professionals if job titles and the responsibilities that come with them are consistent across the field. Results showed a majority of respondents answered “no.”

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.