Marking 25 Years of National Safety Month

National Safety Month is an annual observance from the National Safety Council to help keep each other safe from preventable workplace injuries and death. Since our inception in 1997, CTEH has been a leader in the workplace safety field. To mark the company’s 25th National Safety Month, our safety specialists, Paul Hart, CSP, CIH, and Lauren Garner, OHST, CIT, SMS, are sharing the importance of promoting workplace safety and how CTEH can help you. 

What are the most common workplace safety incidents, and how can they be prevented?

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common causes of workplace injuries. Overexertion is another common workplace injury, which can often be avoided by using team lift methods, stretching before lifting, and utilizing carts to relieve the physical burden. CTEH helps companies eliminate hazards, mitigate future risks, and meet compliance standards through safety programs and planning.

The National Safety Council (NSC) breaks National Safety Month into four categories. How can CTEH help with each? 

  1. Musculoskeletal Disorders

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as carpal tunnel, account for one-third of the nation’s worker injuries and are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time. We have occupational therapists, nurses, and physicians on staff to help identify and address workplace ergonomic stressors. 

  1. Workplace Impairment

  • Did you know that the primary causes of workplace impairment include mental distress, stress, and fatigue? These factors can mimic the symptoms caused by alcohol and drug use, causing vehicle crashes, industrial accidents, and other errors or injuries at work. Fatigue can be especially dangerous during emergency responses; that’s why CTEH helps implement fatigue management policies, like work rotations and sleep schedules, in addition to standard drug and alcohol policies.

  • Long hours and stressful scenarios can impact employees' mental and physical health and wellbeing. CTEH provides our team members with employee assistance programs, health and wellness benefits, and exercise facilities to encourage overall wellness.

  1. Injury Prevention

  • This is our strongest area of workplace safety expertise. We have helped countless companies develop training, programs, and audits to prevent injuries. Our extensive background allows us to help clients and share lessons learned and best practices. 

  1. Slips, Trips, and Falls

  • These injuries are among the most common even though they are some of the easiest to prevent. We provide workplace safety observations, hazard assessments, facility audits, and mitigation plans to prevent injury from slips, trips, and falls. 

How can CTEH help businesses create a culture of safety where everyone – from leaders and safety professionals to individual workers – plays their part?

Creating a safety culture takes time and it starts with management commitment.  One of the most effective ways to understand where your safety culture stands is by completing an assessment, including site visits to see how safety is being managed and implemented. Our diverse pool of experts then help curate a plan that works best for your company. 

How important is workplace safety to CTEH, and how is it implemented internally?

Workplace safety takes precedence over everything else. When an injury occurs, it impacts everyone’s ability to do their job and overall project success. A proactive safety plan can help prevent lost labor and time to injury and illness. A strong safety culture starts with a commitment from management and involves all the employees as they participate in keeping the workplace safe. It is important to note that it takes time, and you must remain fluid. Technology is ever-changing, and your safety plans need to be too. 

If you need our expert safety services, contact us at webquestion@cteh.com.