CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan -- Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, was recognized by the National Safety Council as a recipient of the 2013 CEOs Who “Get It” award Jan. 17.
The annual awards recognize business leaders who demonstrate commitment to world-class safety practices.
The NSC selected award winners who excel in leadership and employee engagement, sound safety processes and procedures, continuous risk reduction, and measuring and improving performance.
“It is an honor for the council to recognize this year’s distinguished group of CEOs Who ‘Get It’” said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. “The strong examples these leaders have set in living the journey and protecting their employees is something we hope all business leaders will follow.”
The eight individuals selected to receive the award represent national and multinational organizations of all sizes from a wide variety of industries, including the Marine Corps.
“Safety is an essential part of everything the Marine Corps does to ensure mission accomplishment, which includes training, deployments, recreation and day-to-day business,” said Talleri. “Having a robust safety program to ensure the safety and welfare of all employees and family members is a key element that supports the warfighter.”
Talleri is the first Marine to be recognized with the award. He took command of MCIPAC and MCB Camp Butler July 23, 2010. MCIPAC consists of installations located throughout the Asia-Pacific region to include Hawaii, the Republic of Korea, Okinawa and mainland Japan.
“Our employees are our most valued asset, and leadership must ensure they have the right tools to perform the job, as well as ensure they are working in a safe environment,” Talleri said.
To ensure MCIPAC maintains its high safety standards, an annual commanding general inspection program is in place to inspect each installation’s safety program.
“The MCIPAC safety office conducts an annual assessment using an in-depth inspection checklist to measure the effectiveness of safety programs implemented,” said Lawrence J. Jacobs, the safety director for MCIPAC. “We work hard to put sound safety procedures in place before there is a safety issue.”
Additional Marine Corps safety programs include traffic safety, confined space operations, operational risk management, range and explosives safety, off-duty recreation, heat injury prevention, hearing conservation and industrial safety.
For additional information about Talleri’s award, view his profile in the February 2013 issue of Safety and Health magazine or by visiting www.nsc.org.