#United States #Washington #National Safety Council #Safety Month #Preventable Injuries

National Safety Month: A Call to Action

Every June, the National Safety Council (NSC) observes National Safety Month, an essential campaign aimed at raising awareness about the leading causes of preventable injuries and fatalities. This initiative tackles a pressing concern: every two minutes, someone in the United States succumbs to a preventable accident. The staggering statistics reveal that in 2023, over 222,698 lives were lost due to these injuries, marking a significant 154% rise since 1992. Additionally, throughout the country, more than 7,000 preventable injuries occur every hour, underlining the critical need for safety awareness and action.

Lorraine Martin, the NSC President and CEO, emphasizes the relevance of National Safety Month, stating, "For nearly three decades, National Safety Month has served as a vital landmark in the push to make people safer from the workplace to anyplace." This month-long observance focuses on educating individuals and organizations about safety while encouraging collaborative efforts to reduce preventable injuries and deaths year-round.

Weekly Themes Focus on Key Safety Issues

The NSC has organized the month into four themed weeks, each spotlighting a specific safety topic:

• - Week 1: Continuous Improvement

This week emphasizes the importance of maintaining ongoing efforts in safety practices. Continuous improvement means not settling for the status quo but actively seeking ways to enhance safety measures and protocols.

• - Week 2: Employee Engagement

Fostering an engaging and participative workplace culture is crucial. This week highlights strategies to involve employees in safety discussions and decisions, creating a sense of ownership over safety practices.

• - Week 3: Roadway Safety

As traffic accidents remain one of the leading causes of preventable injuries, this week focuses on measures to improve road safety. Encouraging safe driving habits and vigilant behavior is essential.

• - Week 4: Wellbeing

The final week promotes holistic wellbeing, recognizing that physical, mental, and emotional health directly impacts individuals' safety. Prioritizing wellbeing contributes to a safer work environment and community.

Resources for Safety Awareness

The NSC provides a plethora of resources aimed at workplace safety, available for organizations and individuals seeking to educate themselves and others about safety issues. These resources include:

• - Interactive Quizzes: Engaging tools that test safety knowledge and promote learning.
• - Safety Talks: Quick, informative discussions that can be conducted in workplace settings to reinforce safety principles.
• - Graphics and Promotional Materials: Visual aids that can be shared within communities and organizations to enhance visibility around safety messages.

To access these valuable resources for free, visit nsc.org/nsm.

The NSC's Commitment to Safety

The National Safety Council has dedicated over 110 years to advocating for safety in America. With a mission to eliminate leading causes of preventable death and injury, the NSC operates primarily within workplaces but extends its reach to communities at large. By fostering a culture of safety, the NSC empowers individuals not just at work, but in every aspect of life.

As communities and organizations across the nation join the NSC in this vital initiative, the hope is to instill a long-lasting culture of safety that continues beyond June and translates into lives saved and a significant reduction in preventable injuries. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live their life to the fullest, free from the devastating consequences of accidents that could have been avoided.

In conclusion, National Safety Month serves as a reminder that safety is a collective responsibility. Each individual, organization, and community member plays a role in fostering a safer environment, reinforcing that awareness and action are essential to preventable injuries and deaths.