There is one overlooked question that people across North America should ask themselves: “Is my loved one safe at work today?” This spring, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is building on that critical question and encouraging people to get involved in one or more of several workplace safety campaigns that can make a difference in reducing risks.
“Too many of us take for granted that our families will come together and be safe and healthy at the end of the workday,” said ASSE President Tom Cecich, CSP, CIH. “That assumption is far from reality given the large numbers of occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities that occur. ASSE members, along with employers, workers and the public, should participate in campaigns to draw attention to the responsibility we all have to make workplaces safer and healthier.”
In 2015, there were 4,836 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The International Labor Organization reports that there are 2.3 million deaths globally each year for reasons attributed to work, with the biggest component linked to work-related diseases.
Many of ASSE’s 37,540 members worldwide – who develop and implement safety and health management programs for employers in every industry, every state and across the globe – will be involved in the following safety activities. They are seeking the support of company and community leaders in raising awareness of workplace risks. Join ASSE’s social media outreach on Twitter and Facebook to share resources and bring value to these campaigns.
April 28, Workers Memorial Day – A global event driven by the AFL-CIO that commemorates workers who lost their lives on the job. It also renews the fight for safe jobs everywhere. (#workersmemorialday)
May 1-5, Construction Safety Week – An observance led by an alliance of construction firms and co-sponsored by ASSE that raises safety awareness on construction sites. Stand-downs and workplace presentations engage employees and offer important reminders about safe building practices. (#constructionsafetyweek)
May 7-13, North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week – Created by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers and championed by ASSE, this key observance celebrates its 20th anniversary and encourages grassroots efforts at every organization in all industries to bolster workplace safety. (#NAOSHweek)
May 8-12, National Safety Stand-Down – A campaign to prevent falls in construction, led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in partnership with ASSE and others. Falls from height are a leading cause of death for construction workers. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforce the importance of fall prevention. (#StandDown4Safety)
June 12-18, Safe + Sound Week – Spearheaded by OSHA and co-sponsored by ASSE, this inaugural event aims to build a stronger connection between safe workplaces and sound businesses. Safety programs identify and manage workplace risks before they cause problems, improving a company’s bottom line. (#SafeandSound)
“There are many opportunities to play a role in achieving greater workplace safety, and our dedicated members are at the heart of it all,” Cecich said. “They utilize their passion and expertise to implement safety and health management systems at organizations in the United States and globally. But it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together, so everyone should take the time to make an impact on an upcoming safety campaign.”