Safe + Sound Week intends to reduce workplace injuries

Jun 8, 2017

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that it is creating a “Safe + Sound Week,” which will take place on June 12 to 18, 2017. This will be a nationwide effort to have businesses and organizations work in a wide variety of industries to raise awareness of workplace safety and health. Several national safety organizations are already on board in supporting the event. In New York City, there is always a need for more efforts to join the community in promoting safe working conditions and for the reduction of workplace injuries.

Construction workers in the city are more exposed to more dangerous work conditions than in many other areas around the country. Nonetheless, statistics show that more than four million workers suffer serious workplace injuries or illnesses nationwide every year. The commemorative week will be participated in by over 85 trade associations, industry and professional level.

Despite the strides that the United States has made toward improving workplace safety, the large numbers of injuries and deaths each year reveals that our improvements may only be soft water patches in comparison to the variety of critical problems that still exist. Effective safety programs will reportedly have management leadership that is committed to maintaining and constantly improving the program. Another indication of strong safety movement is where the workers are brought into the process and allowed to make solutions for improvements.

The “find and fix” mentality is at the core of the program. It means that employers and workers are encouraged to go through their work areas and find any dangers or potential safety hazards that they can identify. This technique requires proactive, routine searches to identify hazards before workplace injuries or deaths occur. In New York City, there are numerous companies and organizations that are prime candidates to participate in this worthy safety program.

Source: liftandaccess.com, “OSHA announces inaugural Safe + Sound Week“, June 6, 2017

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