OSHA, safety groups set to kick off first Safe + Sound Week

Washington – Seeking to promote the value of workplace safety and health programs, OSHA has designated June 12-18 as Safe + Sound Week.

The nationwide endeavor is co-sponsored by the National Safety Council, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Society of Safety Engineers, and NIOSH. A combined 85 trade associations and industry/professional groups are joining the effort, according to a press release from OSHA.

The agency is attempting to help organizations begin or revitalize safety and health programs. OSHA stated that while approaches vary, effective programs have three core elements:

1. Commitment from management to start, maintain and refine programs while also giving needed resources
2. Engagement from workers to identify paths toward improvements
3. A standardized “find and fix” method that has employers and employees analyzing their workplaces to identify and abate hazards before problems arise

“Our nation has made great strides in raising awareness about the importance of workplace safety, yet more than four million workers suffer serious job-related injuries or illnesses annually. We can do better,” Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta said in the release.