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EcoOnline Champions Safety Awareness in Collaboration with the National Safety Council

This June, EcoOnline, a prominent provider of safety and sustainability solutions globally, is proud to sponsor National Safety Month in partnership with the National Safety Council (NSC). This initiative comes at a critical time as the need for safety reforms in American workplaces becomes increasingly urgent. With rising concerns surrounding safety, this campaign aims to create awareness about severe workplace hazards and promote preventive strategies.

Since its inception in 1996, National Safety Month has focused on raising awareness about preventable injuries and fatalities at work. Its mission is to provide employers with tools and resources necessary to foster a safer workplace culture. The themes outlined for this year revolve around constantly improving safety protocols and elevating employee engagement regarding safety practices.

The Reality of Workplace Safety in the U.S.

The alarming statistics surrounding workplace fatalities in the U.S. highlight the pressing need for reform. The country ranks among the highest in terms of workplace fatality rates within developed nations. Recent data shows that the U.S. fatality rate has been over eight times higher than that of the U.K. and nearly three times that of Nordic countries in recent years. According to the National Safety Council’s latest reports, an estimated 5,280 workplace fatalities occurred across the U.S. in 2023—a figure that has shown minimal improvement over the past decade. The only notable decline in fatalities came during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The societal impact of each of these fatalities is profound, affecting families, communities, and businesses which bear an average cost of around $1.31 million per incident, leading to a staggering total of $6.9 billion annually.

Tom Goodmanson, CEO of EcoOnline, emphasized the critical need for companies to make safety a top priority. “The statistics clearly indicate that workplace fatalities not only impose a significant human cost but also a financial strain on organizations,” he said. “It’s vital that companies shift their focus from mere compliance to a culture rooted in proactive safety strategies. Effectively managing workplace safety enhances operational efficiency and enables better decision-making processes.”

Changes in Regulatory Landscape

In light of recent rollbacks on federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, U.S. employers now face heightened risks due to diminished federal protections. This shift has led to a fragmented safety compliance landscape, as states and cities adopt varying regulations. Concerns are also growing over possible dismantling of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which could jeopardize existing safety standards and services, such as health screenings for industries like coal mining. National Safety Month serves as a much-needed reminder for businesses to adopt a proactive stance on safety and compliance, especially when the responsibility of worker protection increasingly falls on them.

Lorraine Martin, President and CEO of the National Safety Council, stated, “National Safety Month serves as a powerful platform to tackle the disturbing rates of preventable workplace deaths. With EcoOnline's invaluable collaboration, we can extend our reach to more businesses and provide essential resources aimed at fostering safety culture.”

Upcoming Events

As part of its commitment, EcoOnline will participate in an NSC webinar titled, “Scaling Safety with Software: Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement that Grows with You,” on June 3rd. This event will explore how organizations can leverage technology to enhance safety measures.

Conclusion

EcoOnline is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in environment, health, safety (EHS), and sustainability. With a legacy of trust spanning over 11,000 businesses worldwide, EcoOnline’s software suite enables organizations to ensure regulatory compliance, reduce risk, and streamline operations effectively. Ahead of National Safety Month, the emphasis placed on transforming workplace safety through awareness and actionable insights is more critical than ever. For more information about how EcoOnline can help businesses improve safety and sustainability, visit ecoonline.com.