NIOSH Joins National Safety Council in Observing National Safety Month 2019

MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Stevens, yky0@cdc.gov, 202.245.0641

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is proud to announce that it is partnering with the National Safety Council this year in observing National Safety Month, which takes place in June.

National Safety Month is more pertinent than ever as unintentional injuries have become the third leading cause of death in the U.S. for the first time in recorded history. To reverse this trend, we encourage everyone to celebrate National Safety Month and take steps to improve safety in our lives and the lives of those we care about.

Free resources – including posters, tip sheets and other items – will be offered at nsc.org/nsm during each week of National Safety Month. Week one will focus on hazard recognition, week two on fall prevention, week three on fatigue and week four on impairment.

In addition, NIOSH will further recognize National Safety Month by highlighting resources and tools via social media and the NIOSH Science Blog to help prevent injury and death at work in each of the campaign’s focus areas:

Week 1: Hazard Recognition
NIOSH Aerial Lift Hazard Recognition Simulator
Hazard Evaluation Tools for the Mining Industry
NIOSH Sound Level Meter app
Health Hazard Evaluation Program

Week 2: Falls
Ladder Safety app
Prevent Construction Falls from Roofs, Ladders, and Scaffolds
Infographic: Slip-resistant Shoes Reduce Food Services Worker Slip Injuries

Week 3: Fatigue
Oil and Gas Workers: How to Prevent Fatigued Driving at Work
NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours
Fatigue Prevention for Pilots:  A Training Program for Commercial Pilots in Alaska
Materials for Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies

Week 4: Impairment – drunk, drugged, drowsy or distracted
NIOSH Science Blog: Workers Using Prescription Opioids and/or Benzodiazepines Can Face Safety and Health Risks
NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics: Opioids in the Workplace
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

“Thousands of workers lose their lives each year because of a work-related injuries; these injuries are preventable,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “The National Safety Month observance provides an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness about workplace hazards and injury prevention in the workplace so every worker can return home safe.”

The National Safety Council has been leading National Safety Month since 1996. The effort focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in homes and communities.

“Safety is important 365 days a year, and National Safety Month is an ideal time to highlight leading causes of preventable injury and death in the U.S. so we can protect those around us,” said Nicholas J. Smith, National Safety Council Interim President and CEO. “The Council thanks NIOSH for supporting National Safety Month and for making a commitment to the safety of others.”

To learn more about National Safety Month, visit nsc.org/nsm.

Visit the NIOSH website to learn more about NIOSH’s Traumatic Injury Prevention Program.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Find more information about NIOSH at www.cdc.gov/niosh.

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.