NIOSH Joins National Safety Council in Observing National Safety Month 2018

Press Contact: Nura Sadeghpour (202) 245-0673

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has partnered with the National Safety Council this year in observing National Safety Month in June. Messages focus on emergency preparedness, wellness, fall prevention, and safe driving.

National Safety Month is more pertinent than ever as unintentional injuries continue to affect workers and their families. To reverse that trend, this year’s National Safety Month theme, “No 1 Gets Hurt,” encourages everyone to take at least one step to improve safety in his or her life and the lives of those they love.

NIOSH recognizes National Safety Month by calling attention to the many resources and recommendations available to workers and employers. Disasters do not plan ahead, so emergency preparedness is paramount and responders should be qualified, trained, and properly equipped when deployed. Overall well-being for those who work long hours or are on shift work, including getting enough sleep, are important for optimal functioning, safety and health. Falls continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and slip, trip, and fall incidents can result in serious injuries.  Motor vehicle safety at work crosses all borders; for both younger and older drivers, distracted driving can be addressed by workers and their employers.

National Safety Month has been in place since 1996. The effort focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in homes and communities. For more information and additional resources for workers, please see the NIOSH Science Blog.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Injury Control and Prevention also provides resources for older adult falls, and motor vehicle safety.

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

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For more information about NIOSH visit the website.