State of Safety

Safety briefing prior to starting work is crucial to successful work © Air2, LLC

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that preventable deaths are at an all-time high. We all have a role to play in the safety and security of ourselves, our families, our coworkers, and our neighbors. So, what is your state of safety?

You may believe it is not within your job duties to evaluate your state of safety, rather it’s the job of upper management or safety professionals. However, by waiting for someone else to perform the analysis and establish improvements, we are exposing ourselves to safety risks.

Raise safety concerns during pre-job briefs to ensure the safety of the entire team © Power Line Services, Inc.

The NSC’s State of Safety graded states’ actions (or inactions) in reducing safety risks for residents, both at the workplace and home. This safety evaluation provides sobering information. However, the program does not stop here. Equipped with this information, it is now the responsibility of organizations and workers to get involved. So, what are some ways that you can evaluate the state of your safety?

To begin, the NSC encourages all workers to take the SafeAtWork pledge. Pledge that you are committed to workplace safety by signing the document, displaying it in your work area, and encouraging your coworkers to join you in the effort.

Most organizations perform and communicate regular assessments and evaluations of the company’s overall health and safety program. Prompt your team leaders to engage in conversations regarding this information and how it applies to your team’s daily work. However, do not wait for this information to begin your own analysis. Instead, discuss as a team the health of your safety processes and mindsets. Then, determine what improvements should be made to ensure all workers return home safely each day.

Tools provided by NSC and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aid workers throughout all levels of an organization across all industries with improving overall health and safety performances. These tools include working and communicating with management, performing personal safety check-ups, and managing contractor safety. They are available to all workers who want to move toward a safer future.

Take time this month to evaluate the state of safety in your workplace and community, and determine your role in ensuring the safety of yourself and those around you. After all, by not setting aside time for safety analysis, we are exposing ourselves to otherwise preventable safety risks. So, what is your state of safety?