Mayor's Safety Challenge

Dear Team HPL,

Mayor Annise Parker has issued a challenge to all City Departments to reduce workplace injuries by 15% this fiscal year, which began July 1, 2010, in comparison to last fiscal year. I am confident that the Houston Public Library will answer her challenge by meeting this goal, since it complements our already-established Finishing First with Safety competition. As an extra incentive, Departments who meet or exceed their reduction goal are eligible to receive a portion of the savings!

Last year HPL had a total of 34 reported injuries costing over $86,000. Our challenge in FY11 is to have no more than 29 reported injuries. Each year, workplace injuries result in lost time and high medical costs. Injuries also negatively affect the ability of the unit to function efficiently; they often place undue hardship on other team members who must compensate to accomplish tasks. Our goal is always a safe and hazard-free workplace, but it takes a team effort and constant awareness to make this goal a reality.

So far in FY11 we already have 7 reported injuries. I know we can do better. I challenge HPL to lower our reported injuries by 25% (no more than 26 injuries).

Below are action steps developed by Ophelia Cespedes, Wendy Heger, and the Safety Committee to meet this challenge:
A quarterly email celebrating accident-free locations

Reports to location managers with data from past injuries, for use in prevention and awareness discussions in staff meetings.

A new safety tip on the first Monday of each month for all to read and discuss in staff meetings.

Reminders to report any potential safety hazards

Site visits from the Safety Committee and COH HR

Monthly updates to ELT on progress

With everyone’s cooperation I know we can exceed our goal! Good Luck HPL!!

If you have any questions, please contact any of the following:

Wendy Heger wendy.heger@houstontx.gov
Ophelia Cespedes Ophelia.cespedes@houstontx.gov
Gwen Walter gwen.walter@houstontx.gov
Tim Hardy tim.hardy@houstontx.gov
Laurie Covington laurie.covington@houstontx.gov
Karrington Burnett Karrington.burnett@houstontx.gov

Here’s to a safe, hazard-free workplace for us all.
All the best,
Dr. Lawson