Building a culture of safety and partnership

This article was originally published on the blog page of the US Department of Labor and is being shared here for AOTC readers who understand the critical importance of safety to the pulp, paper, tissue, and packaging industries.

As the Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 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. 

I’ve 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. 

Building a New Mill or Plant?

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 a car. The results are too often tragic. That’s why we’re putting a major emphasis on our trench safety initiative, 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’ll join the annual Trench Safety Stand Down, June 16-20. 

We know that creating a safe workplace involves building a system of support that empowers employers and workers alike. That’s why I’m excited to talk about two new programs: OSHA CARES and Safety Champions. 

OSHA CARES 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’s easy to connect with the agency and highlights the benefits of reaching out for support or working together.    

For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the name OSHA is enforcement — inspections, citations, and fines. But that's only part of the story. Changing how people think about OSHA is one of my top priorities. Our goal isn’t to catch people doing something wrong. Our goal is to help them get it right. 

New OSHA Resources

Recently, OSHA introduced a redesigned workplace safety poster with a new message and tone. The poster replaces what many people know as OSHA’s “It’s the Law” poster—the poster that is required to be displayed in workplaces across the country. 

The new design still reflects workers’ rights, but it also reflects something else: OSHA’s 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. 

Building on that spirit of cooperation is our new Safety Champions Program. 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. The program is built on seven core elements, including management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, and more. 

By participating, employers can become a "Safety Champion," recognized for their commitment to proactive risk management and prevention. This is about celebrating those who go above and beyond to protect their workers. 

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. 

David Keeling is the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. Follow OSHA on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

Gain More Safety Know-How for YOUR Mill or Facility

Interested in learning more about safety for the pulp, paper, and packaging industry? Plan to attend the PPSA 82nd Annual Safety and Health Conference, "Paper & Packaging Well-Being: Protecting People Behind the Product." The event will take place June 7 - 10, 2026 in Tampa, FL. Join your peers as PPSA continues its legacy of promoting safety excellence in the forest products industry. Register now—Early Bird pricing ends on May 1, 2026. Click the link above or visit ppsa.org.