As you know, we did-10 years ago. Since then 59 million workplace injuries have occurred and 73,500 workers have died on the job. Yet only about 30 percent of small employers have seen the wisdom of adopting safety and health programs. If we are to pass along your experience, and if we are to fulfill our obligation to protect American workers, we need to move from voluntary guidelines to required practices. We are counting on businesses like yours affirming that these required practices are good business decisions.
Safety pays for workers, employers and stockholders.
That's the message we need you to take to your industry and your community. Share your success-and let all working Americans benefit. Many of you have been reaching out to other companies in a number of helpful ways. I want to commend you for that. Your association has developed a VPP application workshop to assist companies in applying for OSHA recognition.