In Recognition of National Safety Month
As we embark on the month of June, it’s not just the warmth of summer that we celebrate; it’s also a time to collectively emphasize one of the most crucial aspects of our lives—safety.
National Safety Month, established in 1996 by the National Safety Council in Washington DC, stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing personal safety and preventing fatalities. This month encourages organizations and individuals nationwide to unite in their ongoing efforts toward creating safer environments.
Each week of June is dedicated to a specific theme aimed at raising awareness and addressing various safety concerns, including:
Week 1 is all about safety engagement and promoting a culture of safety within organizations and communities, encouraging active participation and commitment from everyone.
Week 2 focuses on roadway safety and emphasizes measures to prevent accidents and injuries on the roads, including safe driving practices and pedestrian safety.
Week 3 is dedicated to risk reduction, which highlights strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in different aspects of life, from workplaces to homes.
Week 4 focuses on raising awareness about the leading cause of workplace injuries – slips, trips, and falls – and emphasizes proactive measures to prevent these types of accidents.
Safety Statistics
According to the National Safety Council, preventable injuries are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. with an estimated 227,000 deaths occurring in 2022 alone. Across all age groups, these are most often caused by slips, trips, and falls, which are to blame for about 9.3 million preventable injuries each year.
The social and healthcare costs stemming from unsafe practices, both within and beyond the workplace, are staggering. Outside the workplace, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an alarming frequency of unintentional injuries, leading to approximately 40 million emergency department visits yearly in the United States. The costs associated with these injuries can be astronomical, including expenses related to hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. In addition to medical costs, unsafe practices result in disability, chronic pain, mental health issues, and even premature death - having a profound impact on individuals' quality of life.
In the workplace, injuries and illnesses result in significant medical expenses for employers, employees, and insurance providers through workers comp and possible legal expenses, disability benefits, and vocational rehab services. Further, missed workdays contribute to lost productivity and lost wages for workers. According to federal data, 22% of people experiencing a nonfatal victimization require 3 to 5 days away from work to recover, while 22% require 31 or more days to recover.
Available Resources
The National Safety Council, along with other organizations like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), provide a plethora of resources to support National Safety Month initiatives. These include posters, social media kits, webinars, and podcasts, as well as information and tools tailored to specific safety concerns.
The Role of Situational Awareness
At Second Sight Training Systems, we recognize the paramount importance of situational awareness in fostering personal safety. Situational awareness involves being cognizant of one's surroundings, recognizing warning signs of potential threats, and proactively taking measures to mitigate risks.
Whether in the workplace or in daily life, practicing situational awareness empowers individuals to identify and address potential hazards before they escalate. As a leader, you can enhance the safety of your own workplace by encouraging your employees to practice situational awareness. As an individual, you can learn to enhance your personal safety by practicing situational awareness.
To learn more about the benefits of situational awareness training, check out our companion posts on our blog:
Situational Awareness is a Learned Skill
Our Situational Awareness for Safety training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their awareness of potential threats and avoid them. After only a short time, participants learn to:
systematically observe what they see,
look for patterns of behavior,
identify threatening individuals or situations, and
recognize actions to take based on their observations.
Through heightened awareness and proactive intervention, individuals can identify and address potential hazards before they escalate, and ultimately make informed choices to protect themselves.
As we commemorate National Safety Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to safety and well-being. By fostering a culture of safety, equipping individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge, and promoting proactive measures, we can collectively create safer environments for everyone.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can prioritize safety in your organization and community through training.