41 www.ortrucking.org Issue 2 | 2024 SAFETY IS A mindset and value that should be practiced regardless of whether it is ever formally recognized by our employers or peers. It is simply the right thing to do. There is no doubt that many in the trucking industry—from drivers, to dispatchers, to dock loaders, to managers, to safety directors, etc.—go about their jobs everyday living out a commitment to safety that is often overlooked by those around them. The collective number of lives that have been saved through the years from this kind of quiet dedication is probably innumerable. For many, the knowledge that they are doing things the right way and preventing accidents is reward enough for their efforts. They are not looking for praise. This does not mean though that recognition has no role to play when it comes to safety. On the contrary, it is a great privilege to be able to recognize those in our field who consistently go above and beyond their calling to create and maintain a safe working environment. We should all join in and find ways to recognize those around us who distinguish themselves in the safety arena. What does recognition look like? It can take on many forms. For example, carriers should always be looking to reward good behavior in their workforce, but especially for those who have safety sensitive responsibilities. This reward often comes in the form of a paycheck or bonus (hey, money talks!). But do not let the recognition stop there. It is a common practice in our industry for many companies to hold internal competitions and to reward participants with various awards or prizes. This serves two purposes: on one hand you get to recognize members of your team; on the other—especially when the competitions
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