It’s the 25th anniversary of National Safety Month

Posted on 7th Jun, 2021 | By Lorretta Tatham

If you’re a longtime follower of our blog here at Browns Safety, you’ll have probably seen us talk about National Safety Month before. Technically it’s an American event, held in June every year, but its subject matter is generally universal, which makes it worth us following it keenly here at Browns Safety, as many of its principles can be applied to our own safety courses.

This year is particularly significant in more ways than one, as National Safety Month marks its 25th anniversary, while still focusing on the continued fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, and its impact on various global sectors. Just as with other years, in 2021 the event is being divided into four weekly topics. Here’s the thrust behind each one of them, and what they might have to offer your business.

Week 1: Prevent incidents before they start

Obviously, in the event of any sort of accident, a prompt response is absolutely pivotal for damage control, and crucially for limiting any further risk posed to human health and safety. But while a swift reaction is vital, what’s most important is to have a safety plan that’s not just reactive. Instead, it’s worth investing your energy into having a safety plan that’s proactive and preventative; encompassing every element of the active work environment, as well as staff training and general housekeeping policies.

Week 2: Address ongoing Covid-19 safety concerns

Coronavirus continues to be a prominent issue on the agenda of countless companies, and unsurprisingly so. Arguably not since the Second World War has a single event had such a massive impact on the way we live and work, and it continues to pose a very real threat to people across the UK, especially those in public-facing roles and key workers.

As well as forcing us to reckon with the threat posed by the virus itself, the crisis has also thrown a fresh spotlight on the importance of general hygiene and the impact of respiratory issues, especially for older employees, and what businesses can do to mitigate them. Significantly, it’s also ushered in several new widespread workplace trends, such as new technologies, remote working and videoconferencing. In short, companies are exploring new ways to collaborate and achieve shared goals.

Week 3: It’s vital to feel safe on the job

In addition to physical safety, the events of the last year have also underlined the importance of psychological safety too, and the need for employees to feel like they’re being emotionally and mentally supported at work. Much of that is rooted in their desire to feel like their individual safety concerns are being acknowledged and acted upon by employers, emphasising the value of constant, open communication between management and staff.

Psychological safety also extends to diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace – it’s vital that every employee feels individually supported, no matter their nationality, sexuality, culture or background.

Week 4: Advance your safety journey

This module of guidance focuses on the Human and Organisational Performance (or HOP). This is a system that’s primarily gaining more widespread traction in the US, although it’s receiving some attention in the UK too. Essentially, it’s a science-based system that recognises errors are part of the human condition, and therefore to some extent inevitable. So, HOP focuses on understanding how and why these mistakes are made, and what practical and actionable measures you can take as an individual to reduce the level of risk. This involves, for example, understanding how workers perform their daily tasks, finding gaps or errors in your management systems, and closing these gaps to make employees safer.

If you need any more information on these specific topics on the National Safety Council’s official website. And if you’re thinking about refreshing the in-house knowledge of you or your staff, that’s where we can help with a range of safety courses right here at Browns Safety. You can click through to the main course pages listed above, or alternatively contact us directly by calling us on 01282 615517, or emailing us on info@brownssafetyservices.co.uk.