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August Safety Topic: August 13-19 is Safe + Sound Week

Each month in 2018, we’re featuring a workplace safety topic to inspire your training activities and toolbox talks. This month's topic is Safe + Sound Week. (Download our free workplace safety calendar for monthly safety events and tips.)

Hosted by OSHA, Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event to promote awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs.

During Safe + Sound Week, employers are encouraged to host events that highlight the three core elements of effective safety and health programs: management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces.

Below are 10 easy ways to participate in Safe + Sound Week:

 

  1. Kick off the week with an email blast to your employees from senior management demonstrating your commitment to safety. Here's a sample email from OSHA.
  2. Establish a visible presence by walking a different work area each day of Safe + Sound Week. During your walk, observe what's happening and start a conversation with your workers about safety. 
  3. Establish or update your safety and health policy. OSHA’s Small Business Handbook (Appendix B: Model Policy Statements) provides some examples that you can use as a starting point. 
  4. Implement a reporting system. Workers should be able to report incidents, near misses, and hazards easily and anonymously. One way to do this is with near miss reporting software

  5. Invite a guest expert to speak to your employees about safety and health. This could be someone from your industry trade association, your worker's compensation or insurance carrier, or an outside safety and health professional.  
  6. "Catch workers being safe" and reward them with gift certificates to local restaurants, gas cards, t-shirts or other gear with your company's logo.
  7. Highlight hazards and controls. For example, hang posters with hazard control tips and illustrations in highly visible areas, like break rooms, restrooms, or workspaces.
  8. Conduct a job hazard analysis for a work activity or process where you or your workers have identified safety concerns.
  9. Evaluate your existing safety and health processes and systems. Consider whether your organization could benefit from using EHS software.

  10. After the event, download a certificate and web badge to recognize your organization and your workers. 

Your next steps: Download the 2020 Safety Calendar

Safe + Sound Week ends August 19, but it's easy to continue improving your safety and health program throughout the year. For more ideas, download our free 2020 safety calendar for monthly events and tips. 

Download the free 2023 workplace safety calendar