National Safety Council and Grainger Launch the Journey to Safety Excellence

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Safety Council and Grainger, the National Founding Sponsor, launched the Journey to Safety Excellence Campaign at the NSC Congress & Expo. The Campaign aims to help all employers, regardless of company size or industry, make safety a priority in their organizations.

Nearly 11 workers die on the job each day and 5 million are injured annually. An estimated 50,000 people die each year because of illnesses contracted in the workplace and another 400,000 nonfatal workplace illnesses are estimated to occur. This workplace advocacy initiative will help equip organizations with free, practical tools to keep their people safe.

"Grainger is dedicated to offering the solutions, services and products that help create safer, more productive workplaces," said Nino Granatiero, vice president, Safety Business Line with Grainger. "It was a natural fit for us to team up with the leader in the industry, the National Safety Council, to spread important safety messages and share resources that can help save lives. Grainger is proud to be the National Founding Sponsor of the Journey to Safety Excellence Campaign."

The Journey to Safety Excellence is based on a strategy of continuous improvement which calls for committed leadership and engaged employees; sound safety management systems; removing risk in the workplace and continually measuring and improving performance.

"Think of the Journey as your adjunct safety team – your partner – because we are all in this together and should never feel alone," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "We are excited to be partnering with Grainger to help build safer workplaces so more employees return home safely each day."

The Council would like to thank Grainger, BROWZ and Chubb for their sponsorship of the Journey to Safety Excellence Campaign.

Join the Journey to Safety Excellence for free at nsc.org/journey.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities. Safety+Health magazine, the Council's flagship publication, is a leading source of occupational safety and health information.

About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2013 sales of $9.4 billion, is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with operations in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Grainger is a leader in safety services and solutions, offering technical support and training to help customers comply with workplace safety regulations and safeguard facilities.  In 2013, safety and security products represented nearly 20 percent of Grainger sales. To learn more, visit http://www.grainger.com/content/safety-services.

SOURCE National Safety Council