Worthington Industries, a global company that processes steel for use in the automotive, construction, hardware, aerospace and many other industries based in Columbus, Ohio, reports success with an employee-driven program called Safe Works

Worthington has decreased costs, increased productivity and achieved an injury/illness rate 78 percent lower than the industry average.

The company says since 1955, Worthington Industries and its employees have lived a customer-centered philosophy, based on the Golden Rule. Today the company has 8,000 employees in 68 facilities throughout 10 countries, with sales of approximately $3 billion annually.

Elements contributing to Safe Works' include:

Voluntary safety councils made up of employees who lead their own facility’s safety process and serve as a safety ambassador with their peers.

Behavior-based program Business Risk Improvement Techniques for Everyone (BRITE) that focuses on developing safe behaviors and preventing injuries through positive reinforcement.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) trial program that involves employees in PPE testing and purchasing decisions.

Safe Works award program, which recognizes safety accomplishments at the facility, department and employee levels, and is managed by facility safety councils.