June is National Safety Month, and Medcor is thinking about all the hard workers we support with safety services. Read about National Safety Month, learn about workplace injuries, and see how you can make a difference and stay safe at work.
What is National Safety Month?
The National Safety Council declared June National Safety Month in 1996, making 2022 the 26th anniversary. This month is observed every year to raise awareness over workplace injuries, hazards, and fatal accidents. Every year, each week is further dedicated to awareness of a certain hazard. This year’s dedicated weeks are:
- Week 1: Musculoskeletal disorders – MSDs resulting from ergonomic-related problems are a leading cause of workplace injury
- Week 2: Workplace impairment- The dangers of substance use on the job or any form of impairment leading to accidents
- Week 3: Injury Prevention – Identifying hazards and risks to prevent injury and fatal accidents
- Week 4: Slips, trips, and falls – One of the most common causes of injuries on the job are these accidents
We need to be aware of these risks all the time, and June is a month to raise awareness about worksite accidents and safety hazards. The more aware workers are of hazards and violations, the more diligent and proactive companies must be to create safe and healthy work environments for everyone.
How common are workplace injuries?
Workplace injuries cost companies in medical expenses, lost productivity, and worker’s compensation claims, so many companies invest in specialized safety training like Medcor offers. The National Safety Council reports that in 2020, more than 4 million workplace injuries in the U.S. required medical attention. According to the CDC, the most common workplace injuries include burns, cuts, sprains, bruises, and fractures. Medcor’s onsite clinics also reduce costs by providing the right care at the right time when these accidents and injuries happen.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that any organization that had more than 10 employees at any time during the last calendar year keep OSHA injury and illness records (unless your establishment is classified as a partially exempt industry). Companies use their OSHA logs to identify trends in accidents and conduct root cause analysis to prevent similar accidents. Medcor offers Worksite Safety Training and Safety Staffing unique to any company’s needs and risks.
What can you do?
Workplace injuries and OSHA fines are preventable with safety education and training. When your job includes physical labor or activity, learn proper form and safety precautions according to the hazards of your workplace. Medcor helps prevent injuries with training specific to your industry, and we are there to provide the right care when accidents do happen.
Use June to learn about common injuries in your industry and proper safety precautions. Some industries have complex safety needs and require training like Medcor offers, but even when you work in an office environment there are still hazards and risk of injury. You can create a safer work environment just by learning ergonomic form and practicing healthy habits like stretching throughout the day. National Safety Month reminds us that every work environment comes with risks, but with the right precautions we can stay safe at work and anywhere!
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