Editor's Note: Always training

Looking at the results of the 2019 Safety+Health Training Survey, I’m reminded of how strongly the National Safety Council walks the talk in regard to worker training. From slips, trips and falls to first aid, it seems I’m always due for either a new or refresher course.

Much of NSC’s in-house training is conducted by the council’s team of safety consultants. I have no idea how they find the time. Under the direction of Amy Harper and the coordination of Julie McIlvenny, these experts – David Consider, JoAnn Dankert, Namir George and John Vasquez – not only travel the world to teach people how to be safer, they also share their expertise with various groups within NSC, particularly the S+H team. Quick (and by no means comprehensive) recent examples: David is quoted in the Training Survey article itself, and – in a first for us – John not only agreed to be interviewed for last month’s article on OSHA inspections, he also good-naturedly agreed to a photo shoot. You can see him on the cover of the June issue.

Speaking of photos, Namir provides wonderfully detailed information about images we present for review, and JoAnn is perpetually patient and responsive (often during the break of a class she’s teaching) when we send her last-minute replacement photos and sheepishly ask for a quick reply because the magazine is about to go to the printer. Both Namir and JoAnn have also been interviewed for or advised us on articles.

We learn so much from the NSC consultants. S+H never has been and never will be perfect – see this month's "100 Years" history item to read about some of our mistakes – but with the NSC consultants to lean on when we have questions, we’re a lot more accurate than we would be. We owe them a lot.

The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.