{"id":31763,"date":"2026-06-06T13:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T17:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobbinghood.com\/magazine\/2026\/03\/26\/building-a-culture-of-safety-and-partnership\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T13:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T17:00:09","slug":"building-a-culture-of-safety-and-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobbinghood.com\/magazine\/2026\/06\/06\/building-a-culture-of-safety-and-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Building a culture of safety and partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

Building a culture of safety and partnership<\/span><\/p>\n

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Assistant Secretary Keeling connects with construction industry leaders at the CONEXPO-CON\/AGG trade show in March 2026. From emerging technologies to conversations about advancing safety and health, OSHA is working with our partners to build stronger and safer workplaces.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, my top priority is making sure every worker comes home safe and healthy. With decades of experience in workplace safety, I’ve seen firsthand that the best safety improvements come from the people who do the job every day.\u202fI\u2019ve also seen that the best way to cultivate a culture of safety is through cooperation, assistance, and recognizing those who lead the way. To that end, OSHA is strengthening our partnerships with employers, unions, and safety professionals.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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First, let’s talk about some of the most dangerous elements of construction: trenching and excavation. A trench can collapse in seconds and a single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as car. The results are too often tragic. That\u2019s why we\u2019re putting a major emphasis on <\/span>our trench safety initiative<\/span><\/a>, which provides employers, safety organizations, state agencies, and other stakeholders, with the resources and education they need to prevent needless fatalities and injuries. Saving a life is always worth the time it takes to do it right and I hope you\u2019ll join the <\/span>annual Trench Safety Stand Down, June 16-20<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We know that creating a safe workplace involves building a system of support that empowers employers and workers alike. That\u2019s why I\u2019m excited to talk about two new programs: OSHA CARES and Safety Champions.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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OSHA CARES<\/span><\/a> is an agency-wide effort to support employers and encourage businesses to seek assistance to improve safety and health at their worksite. This initiative is designed to offer resources to employers, while also helping them build strong, successful safety and health programs that create a safe environment for workers. We understand that navigating safety and health requirements can be complex, and OSHA CARES is our way of showing businesses that it\u2019s easy to connect with the agency and highlights the benefits of reaching out for support or working together.   <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the name OSHA is enforcement \u2014 inspections, citations, and fines. But that’s only part of the story.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Changing how people think about OSHA is one of my top priorities. Our goal isn\u2019t to catch people doing something wrong. <\/span>Our goal is to help them get it right.<\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Recently, OSHA <\/span>introduced a redesigned workplace safety poster<\/span><\/a> with a new message and tone. The poster replaces what many people know as OSHA\u2019s \u201cIt\u2019s the Law\u201d poster \u2014 the poster that is required to be displayed in workplaces across the country.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The new design still reflects workers\u2019 rights, but it also reflects something else: OSHA\u2019s commitment to partnership and support. I hope employers will choose to display the new poster. It sends an important message: OSHA cares, and we want to make sure every person goes home safely at the end of the day.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Building on that spirit of cooperation is <\/span>our new Safety Champions Program<\/span><\/a>. This voluntary, self-guided initiative is part of our effort to expand the Voluntary Protection Programs and a blueprint for companies of all sizes to develop and implement effective safety and health programs.\u202fThe program is built on seven core elements, including management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, and more.\u202fBy participating, employers can become a “Safety Champion,” recognized for their commitment to proactive risk management and prevention.\u202fThis is about celebrating those who go above and beyond to protect their workers.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I invite employers to partner with us in building a proactive culture of safety and prevention through these programs and join a growing community committed to protecting our nation’s workforce. Together, we can move beyond mere compliance and make the goal of a safe workplace a reality for every worker, every single day.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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David Keeling is the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. Follow OSHA on <\/span><\/em>X<\/span><\/em><\/a>, <\/span><\/em>Facebook<\/span><\/em><\/a>, <\/span><\/em>LinkedIn<\/span><\/em><\/a>, and <\/span><\/em>Instagram<\/span><\/em><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Koebel.Tiffany\u2026<\/span><\/span>
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David Keeling<\/a><\/p>\n

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