Looking at that phrase "culture of safety" makes it easy to think that accident prevention is a boring subject. We've all heard it before, as demonstrated by the fact that many think that putting safe working conditions into practice doesn't add to the bottom line. But there is plenty of evidence that proves that both ways of thinking are wrong.

On page 10 of this issue, we have a report on a recent ruling in the multidistrict litigation over welding fumes, and that litigation is far from boring. There are several major corporations that get very worked up over the mere mention of the suit, and they are spending plenty of money to aggressively defend themselves in court against allegations that welding fumes are hazardous to welders' health.

That litigation is driving welding rod manufacturers, welding schools and distributors to distraction because of the huge amounts of money that could be involved if the welding industry loses.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs see that suit as similar to the asbestos litigation that swept through courts over the past 20 years, and they are hanging on tightly to the welding fume litigation. They are greedy and they haven't exactly conducted themselves well.

There is more evidence on page 6. It's information from 3M on the new safety standards issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for dealing with hexavalent chromium, and what shops can do to address those standards.

Chromium is not regulated as a carcinogen, but there is data that suggests that hexavalent chromium and its compounds cause or contribute to the formation of cancer, and welders who are working on stainless steel could be exposed to it, so the potential for danger is there. And everyone knows there is nothing boring about the speed and destruction that cancer causes.

These issues welding fumes and hexavalent chromium are not related, but they have a common solution: Adequate ventilation or industrial respiration equipment eliminate the hazard and the potential for hazard in both instances, and that seems such an easy remedy.

However, the most elaborate ventilation and the best personal protective equipment are not worth anything unless they are put to use, and that has to come from the top down.

No number of safety seminars, training manuals, brochures or slogans hit the target as much as a management staff that is dedicated to safety.

Management has to ensure that safe practices are followed as a way of business and as a way of life in the shop.

That way of life is important for long-time workers, who might take shortcuts or forget about safety rules on any given day. And, it's even more important when employee turnover brings new personnel to the shop.

Often, the new guy doesn't even know what he doesn't know about keeping safe in a welding shop.

That's the reason that the shop owner or plant manager should take and keep the lead in promoting safety strategies, to keep workers safe and to keep the business competitive. That is the subject Associate Editor Kim Gilles reports on beginning on page 28.

The buzzwords such as "building a culture of safety" come and go with regularity, but the dangers remain and have to be dealt with.