RALEIGH -  Governor Pat McCrory issued an executive order to form a Health and Safety Leadership Team and proclaimed June as Safety Awareness Month in State Government to focus on the safety, health and well-being of North Carolina's dedicated employees and their families both on and off the job. "The safety and well-being of our hardworking state government employees is being put in jeopardy and this is unacceptable," said Governor McCrory in a press statment.   "There are too many preventable accidents and injuries in the workplace and we must reduce the rate of injury by incorporating safety measures into how we work."

In the fiscal year 2011-2012, there were 5,700 employee injuries which resulted in the loss of 500 work days and 1 death.  Workers compensation costs totaled approximately $75 million.  For the fiscal year ending on June 30, trends and projections indicate there will be 6,400 employee injuries resulting in the loss of 413 work days and 5 deaths.  

Workers compensation costs are projected at $83 million. The Health and Safety Leadership Team will measure the safety performance of state government agencies, establish an effective health and safety program that implements safety guidelines, provides training, education, equipment, and recognition.  The team will create a business culture of safety and its primary goal will work towards reducing the human and financial toll of preventable accidents.