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Some Things Are Not for Sale

Some Things are Not for Sale

Dec. 16, 2021
"As you look ahead to your work in 2022, I encourage you to ask yourself, “Do my actions align with my core values and the values of my chosen profession?” asks ASSP President Bradley Giles.

ASSP President Bradley D. Giles, wrote in a blog earlier this month it’s important for the profession to uphold a high standard of ethics.

As safety professionals, we may sometimes find ourselves in potentially compromising situations where we are asked to overlook a hazard, cut a corner or not report an incident. These pressures can be the result of various factors, from scheduling issues to concerns about losing economic incentives. Current events related to the pandemic response provide more potential cases in point. For example, could we be asked to falsify documents related to COVID-19 vaccination and testing?

As safety professionals, we must be prepared to respond to these types of ethical dilemmas. As fellow ASSP board member Dan Snyder wrote in the chapter on ethics in ASSP’s Consultants Business Development Guide, “Ethical reflection creates an immediate benefit for the individual who, through reflection, can discover other possibilities of being and behaving.”

He offers 10 principles that he uses to guide my daily interactions and decision-making:

1. Live each day with courage.

2. Take pride in your work.

3. Consistently finish what you start.

4. Do what has to be done.

5. Be tough, but fair.

6. When you make a promise, keep it.

7. Ride for the brand.

8. Talk less and say more.

9. Remember some things are not for sale.

10. Know where to draw the line.

"As you look ahead to your work in 2022, I encourage you to ask yourself, “Do my actions align with my core values and the values of my chosen profession?”, Giles asked. 

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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