It was easier to lead and marshal public support when more people were exposed to frank hazards and the majority of workers made their living in the manufacturing sector. We are now in another period of change. The U.S. economy is rapidly changing to a service economy, with an emphasis on small business. The manufacturing economy is moving to developing nations and is controlled by global corporations. What is left of manufacturing in the United States has also changed.
Speed is key.
The provision of health and safety expertise is also moving from an in-house service to a consulting service. First we need to recognize that while hazards are controlled they have not gone away. We must realize that new hazards have replaced the old ones, but we also need vigilance to keep the old ones controlled. Change always carries with it challenge. The challenge now is to identify the mechanisms to meet present and future health and safety issues.