The SSMRC and UBC Millwrights are supporting Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide event held each August to recognize the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offer ideas for keeping America’s workers safe.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of worker deaths and reported injuries in the United States has decreased by more than 60 percent in the past four decades since the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was passed. This is due in large part to employers implementing safety and health programs.
However, every year, more than 5,000 workers are killed on the job (a rate of 14 per day), and more than 3.6 million suffer serious job-related injuries or illnesses.
See the tips below for how you can help support safety and health programs at the jobsites where you work.
Understand that workers benefit from safety and health programs. Parts of your job, such as working with tools and machinery, from heights, and around electricity, are inherently dangerous, but an effective safety and health program can greatly minimize risks.
Read your employers’ health and safety programs. Every employer you work for should provide you with a written copy of its program.
Know your responsibilities under safety and health programs. Your employer should train you to understand how the safety and health program works and how to carry out the responsibilities assigned to you under the program.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand any portion of the safety and health program, ask your supervisor for clarification.
Help improve safety and health programs. Point out hazards and make suggestions whenever something comes to mind. Share any information and experiences that could be beneficial to management. OSHA states workers should be able to communicate openly with management and to report safety and health concerns –or suggest improvements –without fear of retaliation.
Learn more about Safe + Sound Week here.