June is National Safety Month

National Safety Month is celebrated annually in June when people focus on how they can keep their workplaces safe and free from danger. It is a time to reflect on the working conditions around the country and how we can create a safer environment for those who work hard for an honest pay. By learning about safety methods, we can increase pressure on employers to offer a safer working environment to their employees.

History of National Safety Month

The National Safety Council (NSC) is the founder of National Safety Month. It declared June as National Safety Month in 1996. The council aims to spread awareness of safety hazards and unintentional injuries for industrial workers of the United States.

Historian Arnold Toynbee used the term ‘Industrial Revolution’ for the first time during the late 18th century. He created awareness of the safety of workers who worked in coal mines and the textile industry. During that period, workers were not given enough space to work safely and were often given hot and dangerous equipment to work with. Moreover, workers were required to work over 10 hours for minimum wages. In 1877, the Massachusetts Factory Act was passed. Within 13 years, other states in the U.S. issued similar laws to improve the safety standards for American workers.

The U.S. government became more proactive in supporting the rights of industrial workers after the infamous fire incident at the Shirtwaist Factory in 1911 in New York City. A fire broke out in the garment factory and the workers were trapped inside the factory, since all the fire exit doors were locked.  Later, in 1913, the NSC in Chicago estimated that more than 20,000 industrial workers die from poor working conditions in the U.S. every year. In 2020, 4,764 U.S. workers died while on the job.

The NSC 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. This year’s focus topics are:

1.       Musculoskeletal disorders – MSDs resulting from ergonomic-related problems are a leading cause of workplace injury

2.       Workplace impairment- The dangers of substance use on the job or any form of impairment leading to accidents

3.       Injury Prevention – Identifying hazards and risks to prevent injury and fatal accidents

4.       Slips, trips, and falls – One of the most common causes of injuries on the job are these accidents

Free Resources

To access free resources offered by the NSC (you don’t have to be an NSC member), go to the NSC website (https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/get-involved/national-safety-month) and choose the link that says “Sign up now”. Once you enter some basic information you will notified by email when the materials are ready for you to access

In addition, ACS has in person, webinar, or online training to address these focus topics. Contact us for more information.