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Each year in June since 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) has observed National Safety Month. They aim to achieve a safer tomorrow by educating the public on common threats to safety that could lead to injury, and in worse cases, death.
National Safety Month is important because it focuses on implementing safe practices specifically in the workplace. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 2,804,200 cases of nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses, and 5,486 cases of fatal work-related injuries in 2022.
With numbers like that, it is clear why promoting National Safety Month matters. In order for the NSC to help facilitate a safer environment for everyone, they provide resources and highlight four different safety topics throughout the month of June:
1. Safety Engagement
To create a culture of safety at work, awareness and communication is required throughout the organization. Ongoing efforts are required to engage staff in safe practices, and some recommendations of the NSC include:
- Establishing or joining safety committees
- Holding emergency drills
- Proper training
- Playing safety-related games
2. Roadway Safety
Transportation accidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities. Factors like drivers fatigue and unsafe road construction zones often cause these accidents. To make roadways safer, the NSC recommends speaking up about these risks:
- Speeding
- Impairment
- Distractions
- Lack of seat belts
3. Risk Reduction
Making strategic efforts to prevent risks, rather than respond to them, is the goal of National Safety Month. Eliminating the risk means removing the hazard at the source, and is the most effective mode of risk reduction according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NSC urges workers to look out for each other by identifying:
- Substance abuse amongst employees
- Situations that could cause crashes or falls
- Occurrences of overexertion
4. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Between ladders, aerial lifts, and other potential hazards, slips, trips, and falls are at the forefront of workplace injuries. In fact, over $10 billion annually is accrued in workers’ compensation claims. The NSC advises workers to look out specifically for:
- Distraction
- Clutter
- Cracks
- Heights
To access more resources, visit the NSC page or NIOSH blog to participate in National Safety Month at your place of work.
