Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and June is National Safety Month. According to Injury Facts, preventable workplace deaths totaled 4,543 nationally and serious work-related injuries totaled 4.07 million in 2023.

Employer obligations include providing a safe working environment, as well as the financial support, management oversight, personal protective equipment, and tools and training staff need to do their jobs safely. Both management and workers need to do their part to make safety a core value.

Together, these elements are part of a greater continuous improvement process that aims to identify safety hazards and reduce risk. Take the pledge below to show your commitment to safety, from the workplace to anyplace.

I pledge to:

• Actively help my employer improve our safety programs
• Report hazards promptly and suggest solutions
• Be a good safety role model for my friends and family, even off the job

We all deserve a safe workplace so we can live our fullest lives. Multiple Safety Talk presentations are also available throughout June to help employees understand the importance of National Safety Month:

Week 1, beginning June 1: Week 1 is about Continuous Improvement with a focus on National CPR and AED Awareness Week and a Safety Talk on how to conduct a Job Safety Analysis (JSA).

• Watch this video from the National Safety Council about Jennifer Valdez, and how CPR saved her life.
• Review these Job Safety Analysis Talking Points, developed the National Safety Council.
• View this Zoom presentation about Leadership Engagement on Serious Injuries and Fatalities.

Week 2, beginning June 8: Week 2 is about Employee Engagement with a focus on providing recognition to the many employee volunteers who represent their coworkers’ interests by participating in safety committees.

• Please take a moment to thank your safety committee representatives for their commitment to improving your workplace safety. Find out who your Safety Committee Representative is by contacting the Central Safety Team.

Week 3, beginning June 15: Week 3 is about Roadway Safety with a focus on defensive driving and safe work zones.

• Review and share these work zone safety resources from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Week 4, beginning June 11: Week 4 is about the wellbeing and safety of our workers.

• Review resources available from Balanced You.
• View this Zoom presentation about Mental Health, Worker Wellness, and Job Design Series.

For more information, reach out to your contact on the Central Safety Team.