The month of June is National Safety Month and 2021 is the 25th anniversary of the observation. The observation is as crucial as ever as according to the National Safety Council (NSC) the United States reported 5,333 fatal workplace injuries in 2019, the highest number since 2007.
Here are some ways to observe National Safety Month in the workplace:
- Host a toolbox talk or safety meeting and encourage discussions about safety in the workplace.
- Find positive ways to recognize safety-related accomplishments such as a shoutout or a reward.
- Post National Safety Month Free Materials from the NSC in a common area in bulletin board
- Encourage reporting of hazards.
- Offer a CPR or safety class relevant to your workplace.
- Take time to clean your workplace and free areas of obstructions.
- Conduct tool inspections
- Encourage employees to use personal protective equipment when needed and make it readily available to them.
These tips can be the foundation of a safer workplace or help improve an already existing safety program! Remember, safety is a journey, not a destination.
In addition, the NSC will be observing the following weekly topics this year:
Week 1 – Prevent Incidents Before They Start: Identifying risks and taking proactive safety measures to reduce hazard exposure is crucial to creating a safe workplace.
Week 2 – Address Ongoing COVID-19 Safety Concerns: As the pandemic continues, employers play an important role in the expanding of operations, building trust around vaccines, promoting mental health and more.
Week 3 – It's Vital to Feel Safe on the Job: Being yourself at work without fear of retaliation is necessary for an inclusive culture. The focus of leading organizations goes beyond physical safety.
Week 4 – Advance Your Safety Journey: Safety is all about continuous improvement. Whether organizationally or individually, NSC and VelocityEHS can help provide guidance as organizations move forward in safety maturity.
Organizations that have resources for National Safety Month
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
