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Posts about example of CEO safety speech:

Is this the best CEO Safety Speech ever?

Is this the best CEO Safety Speech ever?

A great safety speech isn't about telling staff to improve safety.  Instead, it's a unique opportunity to motivate staff to work together for a common good.

On a windy day in October 1987, the new CEO of Alcoa, Paul O'Neill, gave his maiden speech to shareholders.  Most CEO's would use this opportunity to get shareholders excited that they were going to focus the company on increasing sales and reducing costs, for improved shareholder return.  But O'Neill was different.

“I want to talk to you about worker safety.”  In an instant, shareholders wondered why he had omitted to talk about improving profits.  After all, Alcoa was in a mess. 

“Every year, numerous Alcoa workers are injured so badly that they miss a day of work.  Our safety record is better than the general workforce, especially considering that our employees work with metals that are 1500 degrees and we have machines that can rip a man’s arm off.  But it’s not good enough.  I intend to make Alcoa the safest company in America.  I intend to go for zero injuries.”