The National Safety Council (NSC) and thousands of other organizations across the country are raising awareness of what it takes to keep people safe during the month of June, known as National Safety Month. Efforts of these organizations focus on reducing the leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and homes and communities across the United States.
Each week is divided into 4 different safety topics by the NSC, focusing on resources highlighting the dangers. Week 1 is focused on slip-and-fall accidents, Week 2 focuses on the risks of fatigue, Week 3 focuses on preparing for active shooters, and Week 4 covers the importance of ergonomics.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slips, trips, and falls are a huge source of many preventable injuries and deaths in the workplace and at home. The only thing that causes more fatalities in the workplace is motor vehicle accidents. NSC training helps employers and employees recognize slip, trip, and fall hazards everywhere. The training also explains the effect of such disasters, how to choose appropriate footwear, how to recognize and prevent these accidents, how to identify risk factors, and how to detect and implement controls.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a surprisingly dangerous problem and has the potential to cost businesses millions of dollars a year in workers’ compensation costs. Sleep deficiency not only makes employees more careless and prone to accidents but can also affect their driving skills as well. Around 43% of all Americans admit they may be too tired to function safely at work. Employers can help their employees get sufficient sleep by promoting in-person and online programs focused on sleep, offer sleep disorder screening programs, and take part in corporate wellness programs.
Preparing for Active Shooters
Although people are 700 times more likely to die in a car accident than in an active shooter event, the NSC still offers a course designed to prepare you for the worst. Their course, called Surviving an Active Shooter Event, is a 2-hour training course that covers how active shooter situations unfold, how to be situationally aware, and what actions to take to improve your odds of survival. Active shooter events are increasing, so being prepared for the event can help save lives.
Ergonomics
Repetitive stress injuries and overexertion are the biggest problems for American workers. The NSC offers discussions, demonstrations, and exercises explaining the importance of keeping employees from ergonomic injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Employers can also learn how to recognize risk factors, conduct an ergonomic worksite analysis, evaluate and rank hazards, and choose appropriate control methods best suited to the level of risk.
Visit the NSC website here for more information. However, if you’ve been injured by the negligence or carelessness of another person, including your employer, give us a call. Leonard Law Group has decades of combined legal experience to offer your case. Our skilled Chicago Personal Injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage sustained in your accident. Let us see what we can do for you.
Contact us at (312) 487-2513 or fill out our online form to schedule your free case consultation today. We look forward to speaking with you.