June is National Safety Month, which is the “annual observance to help keep each other safe from the workplace to anyplace.”  

At ONC National, we strive every day to create a safer environment for our customers and teams so that we can better serve our community. In honor of National Safety Month, we want to come together and find ways to spread safety awareness and implement safety protocols that can save lives and create healthier workplaces.  

What Is National Safety Month? 

Since 1996, the National Safety Council (the NSC) has created safety campaigns and resources to highlight leading causes of preventable injury and death. The NSC is a mission-based organization focused on eliminating the leading cause of preventable death and injury, especially in the workplace and on the roadway.  

Each June, the National Safety Council brings awareness to vital safety issues in the places in honor of National Safety Month. Each week, the NSC addresses a different safety topic, applying it to both the workplace and anyplace.  

For 2024, the NSC will be sharing resources on the following four topics: 

• Safety Engagement: From performing CPR and creating emergency evacuation plans to keeping employees engaged and alert on job sites, the NSC offers videos, articles, and safety tips to build safe workplaces and keep employees informed of safety protocols.

• Roadway Safety: The National Safety Council discusses roadway safety issues, such as sharing the road with construction workers and trucks and school buses, driving while distracted, and switching to electric vehicles (EVs) for your work fleet.  

• Risk Reduction: Risk reduction is about preventing injuries in the workplace. For the third week, the NSC provides information and resources to help you identify and address safety hazards in the workplace.  

• Slips, Trips, and Falls: The third leading cause of injury in the workplace, slips, trips, and falls is the last safety topic addressed by the NSC. They provide safety tips for using work equipment and keeping work spaces clean and free of hazards to help reduce the number of work-related accidents from slips, trips, and falls.  

National Safety Month is a great time for businesses to ensure all their safety protocols are working and in place and to make any adjustments to create a safer, happier workplace for their employees.  

Why Is National Safety Month Important? 

Over the last few decades, there has been a rise in work-related deaths and injuries in the U.S. In 2022, there was a 5% increase in preventable work deaths.  

Because of this increase, it is important to bring awareness to important safety issues that affect our workplaces and community spaces. If we are to create a better and safer environment for our customers, colleagues, and community, we must first be aware of the issues that need to be addressed.  

National Safety Month provides us the tools we need to determine the level of safety in our operations at work and routines at home. After determining the level of safety, we can identify areas in which we need to improve to make everywhere we go a safer place.  

How Can We Create a Safer Workplace? 

The National Safety Council provides a few ways we can start some important conversations about safety in the workplace. Before we can enact change, we must acknowledge the areas that need improvement.  

• Have your team sign the SafeAtWork Pledge. Then, display the pledges in the office to remind everyone of their commitment to safety in the workplace.  

• Host a safety training luncheon. Order some food for your employees and complete a safety course that best fits your organization.

• Hold safety listening sessions with each of your teams to uncover insights.

• Encourage staff to go on walks around their work areas to identify safety hazards. Then, work as a team to make improvements in your safety standards and protocols.

• Make sure all employees are properly trained and licensed to operate heavy duty machinery and equipment.

• Hang safety posters on job sites and in the office to remind employees how to perform their duties in a safe manner.

• Use incident investigations as event learning opportunities to yield actionable insights and reduce risks in the future.  

When we take the time out of the workday to talk about safety, identify potential hazards, and work together to create solutions, we can create a safer workplace and a better place to work.  

ONC National Cares About National Safety Month 

At ONC National, we are committed to creating safe workplaces and spaces for our customers and employees. We want to make sure every employee and customer feel secure on every job site.  

To protect our employees, we implement rigorous safety protocols designed to address a spectrum of safety considerations. We offer regular safety training and drills in areas such as fall protection, equipment operation, hazardous waste management, electrical safety measures, and proper utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE).  

For our customers, we offer a three-step plan (i.e., Discover, Design, and Deploy) that helps us complete every network service project safely and successfully. During the Discovery Phase, we will conduct a site walk to discover what technology works best for your organization and to identify any safety hazards and potential risks, ensuring we take the necessary safety precautions while we are on the job.  

During the Design and Deploy Phase, not only will we meet all your requirements with our skilled team of technicians, but we will create safe, organized spaces to house your network infrastructure and technology to prevent work-related injuries such as slips, trips, and falls.  

Because we care about our employees and customers, we care about National Safety Month. Together, we can create safer places and spaces for our teams, customers, and community.

 For National Safety Month, visit NSC’s resource center to help you create a safer workplace for your colleagues and community.