blueprint to safety

SLC 2017 Q&A: Creating a Blueprint for Safety Success

Aug. 9, 2017
Jim Howry, principle research associate at Georgia Tech’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center, explains why companies need a formal safety management system and what implementation looks like.

In his session, “Safety Management System Implementation and Leadership,” part of the Construction Track for the 2017 Safety Leadership Conference in Atlanta on Sept. 11-13, Jim Howry will examine “how developing and implementing a safety management system can benefit a company and its bottom line.”

Howry, principle research associate at one of the four original OSHA Training Institute Education Centers at Georgia Tech, offer us some insight into his presentation.

EHS Today: Can you offer us a description of your presentation and how it relates to safety leadership?

Jim Howry: We will look at how developing and implementing a safety management system can benefit a company and their bottom line.

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EHS Today: Why is the topic of your presentation of interest to you and why is it important to SLC attendees?

Jim Howry: I have seen individuals and companies work hard and not succeed because they don’t have a plan.  Your Safety Management System is your blueprint to success.

EHS Today: What are the takeaways you hope to leave with attendees?   

Jim Howry: The value proposition in safety.

EHS Today: What do you think are some of the most pressing EHS and risk management issues facing corporate leaders and safety professionals in 2017 and beyond?

Jim Howry: It doesn’t change. It’s the ever present trade-off of risk versus reward. Risk tolerance is rewarded in every aspect of business except ours. Changing that mind set is difficult.  

EHS Today: How will this session help attendees be a better resource for their employees and company?

Jim Howry: I hope attendees will walk away with a better understanding of the potential positive impacts on their company and their employees through the implementation of a safety management system.

(EHS Today's 2017 Safety Leadership Conference and America’s Safest Companies Award Program will take place Sept. 11-13 in Atlanta, GA at the Hilton Atlanta. This event is designed to share best leadership, risk management, compliance and safety practices with EHS professionals hoping to achieve world-class safety at their companies. The conference features 28 sessions across four performance tracks; Safety & Risk Management, Compliance, Construction Safety and Safety Technology.)

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

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