National Safety Month Helps OTL Shine the Spotlight on Safety

June not only kicks off summer vacations for those in the United States, but it is also marks the commencement of National Safety Month. Every June, the National Safety Council (NSC), a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), brings national attention to accident prevention by shining the spotlight on how to stay safe at home, on the road and at the workplace.

As the nation’s leading safety advocate for the past century, the NSC has worked to make the world measurably safer by engaging businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public to help prevent the fifth leading cause of death in the United States – unintentional injuries.

This year’s National Safety Month theme – “What I Live For” – celebrates the idea that everyone has somebody or something they live for, and it’s this passion that helps each of make an extra commitment to safety.

“
OTL has a very proactive safety program based on our commitment to send each and every employee safely home to their families and friends every night
”
Ardell Moore, OTL safety director

“We have developed and maintain a culture based on approaching tasks in a safe manner. National Safety Month gives us one more opportunity to promote the importance of safety throughout every aspect of our employees’ lives.”

As part of National Safety Month, each week of June is dedicated to publicizing a different safety risk. This year’s risks include transportation safety, ergonomics, emergency preparedness and slips, trips and falls.

“When OTL is constructing beautiful fountains or fabulous rockwork, we potentially encounter a variety of hazards depending on the specific job,” says Moore. “Fall protection and safe trenching and shoring are just a couple of the areas that we educate our employees about and conduct site-specific safety training for.”

But as Moore explains, many of the slip and fall prevention strategies used at the job site can be incorporated into everyday life to keep employees safe 24 hours a day. For example, the National Safety Month website provides a list of materials containing general strategies for protecting against accidental falls, both at home and at work:

• Aisles, stairs and walkways should be clutter-free; spills should be wiped, dropped objects picked up and cabinet drawers closed when not in use.
• Use handrails in stairways; take one step at a time and report or repair broken stairs or loose stair coverings.
• Apply non-skid floor coatings and slip-resistant mats where falls are likely. Slow down and take small steps when walking on a wet or slippery surface.
• Inspect ladders before and after every use.

Moore adds that individual families don’t have to have the comprehensive and documented safety program that OTL does, but he does encourage discussion on how engaging in safe behaviors both at work and at home can help everyone pursue their individual passions.

“Whether it’s our children, our faith or our hobbies, we all live for something near and dear to our hearts,” adds Moore. “Staying injury free greatly increases our chances of enjoying what we live for for many years to come.”

To find out more about National Safety Month and how you can help make a difference, download the June 2015 National Safety Month Toolkit put out by the National Health Observances.

For more information about OTL’s injury and Illness prevention program, contact OTL at 714.637.4747.