National Safety Month takes place every June and is sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC). This observance aims to make workplaces, homes, communities, and roads safer by reducing the leading causes of injuries and fatalities. Each week focuses on different topics, and the public is strongly encouraged to participate.
The first week of National Safety Month is about musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of workplace injuries. These cost companies billions of dollars yearly in lost productivity and Workers’ Compensation claims.
During the second week, the organization looks at workplace impairment, covering everything from substance abuse to stress, fatigue, and mental distress. Knowing how to recognize the signs of these problems is the first step toward preventing them.
Week three is about preventing injuries and deaths, including assessing risk factors and identifying hazards in the home, workplaces, and roadways.
The fourth week is centered on slip and falls. Slip and fall accidents are the second most cause of unintentional injury-related deaths. The NSC hopes to teach people how to reduce these accidents.
Preventing Workplace Accidents
There are countless preventable injuries and deaths each year. The NSC advocates for practicing tool safety, better ways to work with electrical equipment, fall prevention strategies, and ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
It is essential to use the correct tool for a job; never use one for anything other than its intended purpose, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Hand tools should be inspected before every use, and if they are damaged or worn out, they should not be used. They should be maintained regularly.
Workers should also dress appropriately, tie back long hair, and eliminate any loose clothing. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety helmets, goggles, and gloves is vital for preventing serious accidents and injuries.
To prevent electrocution, cords should have three-pronged plugs, grounding pins, or double-insulated tools with intact insulating housings.
To prevent slip and falls:
- Look for uneven floors and changes in floor levels; avoid torn, worn, or loose flooring.
- Always use handrails when climbing up and down stairs.
- Clean up or report spills immediately, and mark off the hazardous area.
- Make sure that all areas are well-lit.
- Search for and eliminate tripping hazards, like debris.
Employers need protocols with consistent, comprehensive training for their employees. To learn more about National Safety Month, visit the NSC website. They provide free safety materials.
West Chester Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello Helps Injured Employees With Workers’ Compensation Claims
Even with the most thorough safety measures, workplace accidents, illnesses, and deaths still occur yearly. For help with a claim, speak with our West Chester Workers’ Compensation lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello. Call us at (610) 892-4940 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster, Montgomery County, Norristown, Philadelphia, Reading, and West Chester.
