June 8, 2015
Every June we celebrate National Safety Month, where we take time out to recognize specific hazards in life and at work which can be the most impactful on our lives. The National Safety Council has chosen the theme “What I Live For” as a means to encourage participation with sharing stories related to selected weekly topics. For 2015 the topics include prescription painkiller abuse, transportation safety, ergonomics, emergency preparedness, and slips, trips and falls.
According to the CDC, abuse of prescription pain medications has been on the rise. Almost five percent of the American population polled, over 12, admitted to abusing these medications for nonmedical purposes. This abuse accounts for 15,000 overdoses every year, more than heroin and cocaine combined. Abuse is easily linked to the amount of these medications prescribed. The CDC estimates that in 2010 there were enough painkillers prescribed to have kept every American “under their influence” for an entire month. Although many systems are in place to keep these pills out of the hands of individuals whom they are not intended for.
Transportation safety is commonly something that we all take for granted. Vehicle accidents are the most common transportation related hazard almost everyone is exposed to frequently. Millions of injuries and over 30,000 deaths are enough cause for every driver to refocus their attention on the road. Vehicle accidents commonly rank as the top cause of occupational related fatalities. Areas of focus for preventing vehicle incidents include reviewing cell phone use to enforce texting and call policies, slowing down in work zones, and training drivers to take a more defensive approach.
Ergonomic safety doesn’t take a priority for most of the population but is a key way to prevent injuries which have a substantial impact on quality of life. Ergonomics is the study of how humans fit within or interact with materials or their environment. Ergonomic injuries are those related to the musculoskeletal system and can include repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes, and awkward postures. These are simple enough to prevent in theory, but difficult in practice due to the variations in the physiology of individuals. Key areas of focus to prevent ergonomic injuries is to identify hazards by performing assessments and training the workforce to identify warning signs of injury early enough to prevent complicating injuries further
Whether it be earthquakes, severe weather, fires, or floods, knowing the risks of and being ready to deal with emergency scenarios can save lives. This is a good time to review the emergency plans at home and identify gaps. Workplaces are required to train employees in how to handle specific situations likely to impact employees. At home, this is a perfect time to ensure each family member knows the plan and can fulfill their roles. Drills are one of the easiest ways to test the effectiveness of the program and make changes when appropriate.
Finally, slips trips and falls is one of the leading causes of unintentional death in the United States. The National Safety Council reports that well over 20,000 deaths a year are related to this hazard. As our national population increases, this problem only gets worse as the risks and severity of slips, trips, and falls greatly increase. Many useful tips for reducing or eliminating these accidents can be found at http://www.nsc.org/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/Slips-Trips-and-Falls.pdf.
As with every June, National Safety Month encourages everyone to take time out of their busy lives and remember that recognizing hazards is the first step to accident reduction. Most hazards can be easily avoiding with simple measures that can protect us, our co-workers, and our families.
Related Topics: Monthly Safety Topics, Safety Articles