Watch Out for Danger During National Safety Month
June is National Safety Month; and this week the National Safety Council (NSC) and its partners have raised awareness about “Watching Out for Dangers”, particularly in the workplace. Why is there a focus on the workplace? While safety is always important, there’s simply no denying that ensuring safety in the workplace has the potential to save thousands of lives and prevent tens of thousands of injuries and illnesses each year.
Just consider the following: The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that employed Americans between the age of 25 and 54 spend most of their workdays on work or work-related activities. And many of these activities have the potential to turn a normal day on the job into an unwelcome trip to the hospital.
Reducing falls
In response, there are a number of campaigns aimed at preventing very specific accidents, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) National Falls Prevention Campaign. Falling is the leading cause of death in construction, yet also one of the most preventable accidents. And by taking these simple steps, they can be dramatically reduced:
OSHA has also created a number of educational resources to help employers talk to their employees about preventing falls.
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the maritime industry
When we think of boats, we think of fun—not CO poisoning. The reality is that CO emissions cannot be seen or detected by smell, but have the potential to be lethal when concentration levels are high. Further, all CO poisonings are preventable. So with the summer underway, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is raising awareness about how generators and engines on houseboats have the potential to cause serious harm when there are hazardous levels.
To learn how to prevent CO poisoning in boating, the National Center for Environmental Health has created this guide to help you understand the following:
How to identify your exposure to risks
In order to remain safe, you have to stay both alert and aware of potential dangers—even in surroundings that might be familiar. The NSC realizes that being aware is not always an easy task, and it created a Safety Checkup tool that you can share with your colleagues so they can get their own personal Safety Snapshot. Just answer five basic questions, and you will receive a personalized snapshot that will highlight your biggest safety challenges.
More resources for “Watching out for Dangers”
Safety is all too easy to take for granted, that is, until it’s been compromised. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Take the NSC’s Pledge to be Safe at Work and take advantage of these free safety resources and tools in order to create a safer workplace.