According to the National Safety Council (NSC), over 146,000 preventable deaths occurred in 2015. With this number at an all-time high, it is crucial that safety become a top priority in the workplace and at home.
This June, join Amerisure in observing National Safety Month. Sponsored annually by the NSC, and promoted by thousands of organizations across America, the goal of the observance is to encourage safety and raise awareness of the measures that must be taken in order to create and maintain a safe environment.
The overall theme of National Safety Month this year is “Keep Each Other Safe”. Each week in June, a different safety topic will be highlighted:
- Week 1: Stand Up to Falls
- Week 2: Recharge to Be In Charge (Focusing on Fatigue)
- Week 3: Prepare for Active Shooters
- Week 4: Don't Just Sit There (Focusing on Ergonomics)
To kick-off week one, Amerisure wants to share some information about the importance of standing up to falls. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Proper training helps prevent falls. There are educational materials available on the OSHA website that employers can use as a guide to keep their workers safe.
OSHA recommends following these tips to avoid fatal falls on construction sites:
- Wear a harness and always stay connected
- Make sure your harness fits
- Use guardrails or lifelines
- Inspect all fall protection equipment before use
- Guard or cover all holes, openings and skylights
It is important to remember that workers do not have to be very high up to experience a fatal fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls from heights of 10 feet or less accounted for 16.9% of fatal falls at construction sites in 2015.
Free downloadable materials for National Safety Month are available on the NSC website, including posters, tip sheets and more. Use these materials to help spread awareness of the four topics and encourage your co-workers, peers and family members to Keep Each Other Safe.
For more information about National Safety Month, visit the NSC website.
