Making the Most of OSHA’s Safe and Sound Week

Safe and Sound Week is an annual campaign conducted by OSHA and other safety organizations. It will take place from Aug. 12-18 this year. This event aims to recognize the successes of workplace safety and health programs across the country and provide additional resources to help organizations and their employees kick-start or improve upon occupational safety and health initiatives. Nearly 4,000 organizations of all sizes and sectors register for this event each year. More than 5,000 workers are killed and 3.6 million employees are seriously injured on the job every year, according to OSHA. Considering these findings, it’s crucial for organizations and workers alike to participate in Safe and Sound Week. Dedicating this time to bolstering their overall safety awareness can aid in reducing potential job hazards and minimizing the likelihood of future occupational injuries and fatalities.

As an employee, there are several steps you can take to make the most of Safe and Sound Week. During this event and beyond, be sure to follow these workplace safety practices:

• Attend workplace safety meetings and training sessions and carefully review related resources (e.g., flyers, manuals and handbooks).
• Uphold all workplace safety policies and procedures and encourage co-workers to do the same; don’t cut corners or rush through assignments. Your safety is always more important than the task at hand.
• Ensure you understand the risks associated with work tasks before starting them. Wear the required personal protection equipment for these assignments.
• Report any safety incidents, near-misses or unaddressed hazards immediately.

Reach out to your supervisor for additional workplace safety resources.