Several years ago I wrote what was to be a cover story on a $4 billion, well-known “brand” corporation and its reinvigorated safety efforts after a publicized worker fatality, only to be informed by the top safety manager that he would lose his job if the story was published. The piece was positive in describing the company’s determination never to have a tragedy like that again, but apparently the higher-ups did not want any mention of the accident – to the extent that they would fire a well-respected safety executive.
It’s something of a tradition in workplace safety to observe how different company cultures react to bad news about accidents, hazardous conditions, OSHA penalties, worker complaints and negative press. In my experience, most of the time defenses go up immediately. The “safety first” flag is vigorously waved. Some companies will contest OSHA in court. Spin doctors downplay any negatives to the media. The top execs are often silent, or issue short disclaimers and denials. Interviews with safety officials, if granted at all, are scripted and monitored. After all, safety is like motherhood and apple pie – a company just cannot be perceived as not caring.