National Safety Month 2019

Every year in June is known as National Safety Month! This month focuses on safety and it promotes awareness to reduce the leading causes of injury at work, on the road, in our homes and in our communities. For 2019, National Safety Month is specifically trying to raise awareness of hazard recognition, falls and fatigue.

Hazard Recognition

It’s pretty obvious that safety and health hazards can exist on worksites filled with strenuous manual labor and heavy machinery. People who work at those sites can be more prone to injury if they are not careful and do not follow the rules. However, jobs where most of the work tasks are completed while sitting in a chair in an office can also be dangerous. Surprisingly there are several hazards that can be present in an office setting. So, it is important to recognize any type of hazard wherever you are.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Falling from either slipping or tripping is the most common type of office injury. It can lead to sprains and strains, cuts and bruises, broken bones, and more. To avoid this, it is important to stay clutter-free and maintain a clear line of vision. Boxes, files and various items piled in walkways can create a tripping hazard. Make sure your desk is free of clutter and your coworkers do the same. It is also good to avoid collisions; workers can collide when making turns in the hallways and around blind corners or cubicle walls. If workers can see who is coming around the corner, collisions are less likely to occur.

Fatigue

Fatigue is the body’s response to sleep deprivation from lengthy physical or mental work. Risk factors related to occupational fatigue include long work hours, a heavy workload, lack of sleep, environmental factors and medical conditions. These factors contribute to an overall cloudy and foggy mental state. This can lead to an unproductive workday as opposed to when you healthy and alert. Workers can help prevent fatigue through measures such as taking breaks and adopting better sleep habits.

For more information on National Safety Month, click here.

Article written by William Graves.