Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) observes ‘Safe + Sound Week’, which is a nationwide campaign about workplace safety in all industries. In 2024, Safe + Sound Week is between August 12th and 18th. At Hilliard Law, we routinely represent injured workers in workplace accident claims, like those involving industrial workers and oil field workers. We are proud to observe Safe + Sound Week, and we invite you to observe it as well to help improve the safety of your workplace.
How You Can Observe Safe + Sound Week 2024
Workplace safety is every worker’s responsibility to some extent. Of course, your employer should be making the most efforts to ensure safe conditions in your workplace, whether you work in retail, construction, hospitality, healthcare, education, and so on, but you can still do your part to promote and encourage safe workplace practices.
You can observe Safe + Sound Week 2024 by:
- Asking about Job Hazard Analysis materials: For Safe + Sound Week 2024, OSHA is offering employers various materials and resources about Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). You can ask your employer if those materials were collected. If so, you should ask to see them or how your employer intends to use them to promote Safe + Sound Week and workplace safety. If not, you can ask when they intend to request those materials from OSHA; it’s possible that your employer did not know the materials were available.
- Volunteering for workplace safety walks: Most workplaces are required by OSHA to conduct workplace safety walks at regular intervals. During this walk, an employee will check for potential hazards, especially in hazard-prone areas of the workplace. For example, someone working in retail might check overstock locations and the stability of ladders. Employees typically volunteer to complete this essential safety role, so you can, too.
- Talking to your coworkers about workplace safety: No one wants to see a coworker get hurt in an accident that should’ve been preventable. Start spreading awareness about Safe + Sound Week and workplace safety overall by first talking to your coworkers.
- Reporting any workplace hazards you find: If you see a workplace hazard, either during a safety walk or just while completing regular job duties, let your employer know about it right away. The longer a hazard goes unaddressed, the more likely it becomes that someone will get hurt by it. When you report it to your employer, ask them about what you can do immediately to clear the area and help prevent any accidents.
- Improving education and training: If you own a business or act as a manager, you can make a huge difference in workplace safety by improving mandatory education and training about workplace safety for workers in all roles. Consider creating a program that incentivizes workers to complete training courses or demonstrate their understanding of safety protocols.
- Visiting city hall: Workplace safety can be influenced by legislation. If you think that workplace safety laws are not doing enough in your area, visit city hall to talk to a representative about what plans they have about newer and better laws and regulations. Some of the most important legal updates have started at the municipal level of the government before moving to the state and federal levels, so never assume that you’re starting too small.
- Sharing this blog: You can easily spread the word about Safe + Sound Week 2024 by sharing this blog’s URL (located in the search bar above) with your coworkers, friends, and family. You can make a quick social media post or send it to group chat groups. Awareness is a big – and often underappreciated – part of workplace safety.
From all of us at Hilliard Law in Texas, we wish for you to enjoy a safe and sound workplace, no matter what industry you work in. We also thank you for encouraging workplace safety by observing Safe + Sound Week 2024 and sharing this blog with others. If you want to know more about workplace safety, please visit the resources provided below. If you’re ever hurt in a workplace accident in Texas, please call (361) 882-1612 to talk to our attorneys about your legal options and what steps you should take next.