Junker sums it up this way: "When we step onto the jobsite, our customers view us as either an asset or a liability. If we can't work safely, we're not invited back and increasingly, if we can't show that we have an excellent track record, we never even get invited in the first place."

Robin Sevinsky, GE Energy's EHS leader for its services businesses, echoes the increasing role of safety as a differentiator. "It's unquestionably important to our customers. We've always stressed safety because of the obvious impact on the well being of our own people. But it's important to recognize that a safety incident has repercussions that transcend just the affected employee - it also affects our customers."

Sevinsky notes that it is becoming increasingly common for requests for quotations (RFQs) to require suppliers to document their safety record as part of the bid package. "When bidding on services work, many of our businesses supply their safety metrics as standard operating practice, whether customers ask for it or not," observes Sevinsky, "but the reality is that an increasing number of customers are explicitly asking for this data because it is important to them."

Jeanne Fallon-Carine, EHS Manager for GE's Optimization and Control (OC) business concurs. "Customers assume enormous liability when a contractor walks onto their site. In some countries, liability for an injured contractor extends beyond monetary compensation and encompasses criminal penalties as well. Contractors with a track record of safety excellence reduce the risk and exposure for our customers - it's that simple. Our customers recognize this and they increasingly demand it."

The OC service team has been recognized as the safest service business within the entire GE company with back-to-back corporate EHS Excellence Awards in 2005/2006, and a similar 2006 award from GE Energy. The OC services team has also been recognized by the National Safety Council, numerous government and industry organizations, and - of course - by customers.

Commenting on the recognition, Junker puts it all in perspective: "Sure it's great to be recognized - to have our customers and colleagues validate that our emphasis on safety is valued. But the biggest reward comes from knowing that our employees around the world recognize that we are absolutely committed to ensuring they arrive home each night in the same condition they came to work. We're walking the talk"

Additional information on GE Energy's commitment to safety, health, and the environment can be found here.