DWD Worker's Compensation Division Safety Corner

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development sent this bulletin at 06/02/2023 09:26 AM CDT

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June 2023 • Safety and Health Information for Wisconsin Employers & Organizations

Headlines

June is National Safety Month
CPR & AED Awareness Week
Trench Safety Month
National Forklift Safety Day
Additional June Safety Events and Opportunities
About Dave Leix, CSP, Safety Corner's Author

June is National Safety Month

For more than 100 years, the National Safety Council (NSC) has been a leader in workplace safety. This June is the 27th anniversary for the observance of the National Safety Council's National Safety Month.

Every worker deserves to make it home safe every day. According to the NSC's Injury Facts there were 4,472 preventable fatal workplace injuries in 2021, a 9% increase over 2020. The large increase in preventable work death in 2021 is a reminder that this monthly observance is more important than ever.

NSC's website offers free safety promotional materials including highlighted weekly safety month topics. The 2023 weekly topics include:

Week 1 – Emergency Preparedness
Week 2 – Slips, Trips and Falls
Week 3 – Heat-Related Illness
Week 4 – Hazard Recognition

CPR & AED Awareness Week

Each year June 1-7 is National CPR & AED Awareness Week. The American Heart Association's web site has numerous free promotional materials that you can print from your home or office printer to promote CPR & AED Awareness week. The week is used to spotlight the importance of knowing and using these lifesaving skills. Each year, more than 350,000 Americans experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. About 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. If you are called on to give CPR or use an AED in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you know and love.

The more people who know how to perform CPR and use an AED, the more lives can be saved. Check out the American Heart Association's resources, including the latest "Hands Only CPR" techniques.

American Heart Association (AHA) - Home Page

Hands-Only CPR | American Heart Association CPR & First Aid

Trench Safety Month

Trench safety, person in hard hat inspecting trench

June is also Trench Safety Month, with the week of June 19-23 designated as Trench Safety Stand Down Week. A Stand Down is a company scheduled break in the day for employers talk directly to employees and others about trench and excavation hazards by providing training or offering a "toolbox talk" focused on specific hazards related to trenches and excavations.

Visit the National Underground Contractor's Association (NUCA) for the latest safety information, safety training ideas, and additional resources.

While the NUCA takes the lead for Trench Safety Month/Week, also visit the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) Trench & Excavation Home Page for excellent related free safety resources, Including:

Trenching Safety: 5 Things You Should Know to Stay Safe

Protect Workers in Trenches

Working Safely in Trenches

Trench collapses can be deadly

National Forklift Safety Day

Forklift operator and supervisor viewing clipboard

According to OSHA, forklift-related injuries have increased since 2011. Training is an important factor in reducing the number of injuries and deaths. The type of forklift, the material being moved, and the facility where they work determines the type of training an operator needs.

June 13th, the second Tuesday of June, marks the 10th annual National Forklift Safety Day. This annual safety reminder helps industries across the country raise safety awareness for forklift operators and employees. Every industry that uses forklifts are encouraged to participate.

This year will see both in-person and virtual events take place on June 12 & 13. Visit the National Forklift Safety Day page to learn more or to attend virtually, registration is required.

OSHA also offers several online resources:

Check with your company's forklift supplier and maintenance company for more information and Forklift Safety Day resources.

Additional June Safety Events and Opportunities

Lightning Safety

International Lightning Safety Day June 28, 2023 and National Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 18-24

Wisconsin ranked in the top 20 states for lightning strike related deaths from 2013-2022. Visit the National Lightning Safety Council or NOAA's comprehensive lightning safety website to learn more about lightning and lightning safety.

Eye Safety

Prevent Blindness has declared June 1 Prevent Blindness Day. Prevent Blindness is celebrating the organization's 115th year, and offers tips about blindness prevention, symptoms, and information about surgery.

Heat Safety

June also marks the beginning of summer. Be aware of heat related illness and prevention as temperatures soar during the coming months. OSHA has several Heat Injury Prevention tools, and sponsors a National Heat Contest to motivate employers and workers to take action to prevent heat illness.

National Trailer Safety Week

As the summer recreational season heats up boaters, ATV, cycle and camping trailers will be hitting the roadways. June 4-10 is Trailer Safety Week, designed to improve the safety of the nation’s roadways by raising trailer safety awareness through education. Visitors can learn about towing safety and order trailer safety publications.

National Beach/Riptide Awareness Week

To heighten public awareness of potential rip currents at surf beaches, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designates the first full week of June as national Rip Current Awareness Week, this year June 4-10. Be alert and know how to avoid or survive when caught in a rip current while swimming and enjoying the beach. Riptide current safety resources:

NOAA Resources

International Surf Lifesaving Association Resources and FAQ

Ride To Work Day

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration designates the 3rd Monday of each June as Ride to Work Day, or June 19 this year, as part of its motorcycle safety program. In 2021 there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed, 14% of all traffic fatalities. The goal of Ride to Work Day is raise awareness of the joys and safety considerations of motorcycle riding, and highlight the benefits of helmets at saving lives. For additional motorcycle safety resources, visit the Work to Ride/Ride to Work webpage.

About Dave Leix, CSP, Safety Corner's Author

Dave Leix is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Safety & Risk Manager for the State of Wisconsin / Department of Workforce Development (DWD) – Worker's Compensation Division. Dave brings over 40 years of professional safety and health (EHS) consulting and managerial experience to a wide variety of customers and clients. Read more about Dave online.

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