Risk Management

Safety: Governor's Letter

With the creation of the State Safety Steering committee on March 22, 1995, Governor Mel Carnahan directed each department to develop safety and health programs to meet the needs of the state.

"The mission of the State of Missouri is to establish and administer those programs and services necessary to promote and protect the welfare, safety and interests of its citizenry.

The conservation and preservation of state resources, property and assets is essential in providing these services. Accidental loss to state assets and resources may impede the operating efficiency of state government. Healthy and productive employees are essential in achieving state objectives. Accident prevention, loss control, safety management, education, training and cost containment efforts have proven to reduce the cost and minimize the adverse effects of accidental losses and employee injuries. Effective safety and loss control requires a partnership among the employees, supervisors and all levels of management within the agencies.

Therefore, I direct each department of the executive branch to strive to provide and maintain a safe and healthful environment for its employees by implementing appropriate safety standards.

Each department is responsible for adopting programs, rules and procedures that promote safety and productivity, and minimize potential financial loss to the state. In addition, each department of the executive branch shall designate a Department Safety Coordinator who shall be responsible for coordinating the department's safety and health programs and representing the department on the State Safety Steering Committee which is hereby created. The State Safety Steering Committee shall assist all departments in their compliance with this order. Each department shall:

• Adopt a written safety and health policy/mission statement.
• Publish and enforce safety and health standards appropriate to its particular needs.
• Establish a program to promote health and safety awareness of safe work practices.
• Establish safety committees consisting of representatives from all levels and areas of the organization and at each of its facilities, as appropriate, to review all reports of injuries to employees as well as inmates, patients, visitors and others. Safety committees shall evaluate the nature, causes, and impact of injuries and accidental losses and shall recommend appropriate actions to management that will reduce or eliminate future occurrences.
• Institute training and other educational programs for managers, supervisors, and employees to promote awareness of and competency in proper work procedures.
• Establish a procedure for conducting regular health and safety inspections/surveys so that potential hazards are detected, corrected and/or controlled in a timely manner.
• Promote effective investigation and management of accidental loss and workers' compensation claims.
• Promote early return to work of injured employees using transitional work assignments and other rehabilitation strategies.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive records relating to injuries, accidents, property damage and any other incident that has or potentially will expose the state to financial loss.
• The Office of Administration shall provide necessary advice and direction to assist agencies in achieving the intent of this directive, and shall lead and support the State Safety Steering Committee and shall report annually to me on the progress in achieving improved safety in State government.

All state employees must be informed of this directive.

The success of any safety and health program is incumbent upon the demonstrated leadership of those in positions of responsibility and the enthusiastic support of all employees. There can be no higher priority than the conservation of our human resources, the maintenance of essential services, and minimizing the burden on the taxpayers of Missouri."