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Safety and Health Information for Wisconsin Employers & Organizations |
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Wisconsin's first February tornado, which occurred in Evansville this year, serves as a reminder that severe weather can strike anytime, not just in April. However, April 8-12 is designated as Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. This is a crucial time to prepare and practice your safety plan, including:
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Statewide Tornado Drills: Thursday, April 11 at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
A statewide Tornado Drill on April 11 is an opportunity to discuss and practice your "take shelter" plan with your family, whether at home, work, or school. According to Wisconsin Emergency Management, this will trigger National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio weekly test, some municipalities will sound sirens, some TV/radio stations will briefly cut into programming, and there will be social media posts. There will NOT be Wireless Emergency Alerts, push notifications on phones or test Watch/Warnings.
Additional Resources:
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Spring ushers in construction season and the increased presence of road work zones. While these zones are necessary for improving our infrastructure, they can be dangerous for both workers and drivers.
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), April 15-19, helps spread awareness for work zone safety across the country. Nationally, work zone crashes are on the rise. In 2021, there were a staggering 874 crashes and 956 fatalities in work zones – a significant increase over 2020. While Wisconsin saw a decrease in work zone crashes and fatalities in 2021, vigilance is still crucial.
Here's how you can help:
- Slow down: Obey posted speed limits and adjust your speed for changing conditions in work zones.
- Practice defensive driving: Be extra cautious, remain alert, and avoid distractions while driving through work zones.
- Expect the unexpected: Workers and equipment may be present in unexpected areas, so be prepared to stop suddenly.
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 Distracted driving is a major threat on the roads, contributing significantly to work zone accidents and overall traffic fatalities. The National Safety Council reports a troubling increase in traffic deaths, with over 46,260 people killed in 2022. This highlights the importance of constant vigilance behind the wheel.
Nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths, claiming 25% of worker fatalities in 2022. This statistic underscores the need for a collective effort toward safer driving practices.
While Wisconsin saw a decrease in motor vehicle fatalities in 2023, each life lost is a tragedy. Our roads are shared spaces. Whether driving, walking, or cycling, safety should be a top priority for everyone.
This April let's commit to putting safety first. Here's how you can be part of the solution:
- Focus on the road: Put down your phone and avoid distractions behind the wheel.
- Protect workers: Be extra cautious in work zones and respect designated areas for crews.
- Spread awareness: Share safe driving tips and resources with others.
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Every year on April 28, we honor workers who have lost their lives or fallen ill due to workplace injuries and illnesses. Workers Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of workplace safety and a renewed commitment to ensuring safe working conditions for all.
April 28, 2024, marks the 53rd anniversary of the signing of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) into law. This act has been instrumental in protecting millions of workers across the United States.
Many organizations, including your local OSHA area office, labor unions, and safety groups, hold events and activities to commemorate Workers Memorial Day. Consider attending one of these events to learn more about workplace safety and how you can contribute to a safer work environment.
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The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 is a rare event, and Prevent Blindness wants to help you experience it safely. The next coast-to-coast solar eclipse event will not occur until 2045. The Prevent Blindness Eclipse + Your Eyes program educates the public about the dangers of looking directly at the sun during an eclipse, which can cause permanent eye damage.
Why Eye Protection Matters
During a solar eclipse, the sun's rays are just as intense as any other time. Looking at the sun without proper filters can damage the light-sensitive cells in your retina, leading to vision loss.
Beware of using regular sunglasses or fake solar eclipse glasses that do not offer the necessary protection. Prevent Blindness offers ISO 12312-2 certified solar eclipse glasses that block 100% of harmful ultraviolet and infrared light. These are the only safe way to look directly at the eclipse.
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Prevent Blindness: For instructions on using eclipse glasses and to learn more about safe eclipse viewing
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Solar Eclipses: What you need to know to protect your eyes video.
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Window Safety Week
Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
National Playground Safety Week
S.A.F.E.™ Framework for Playground Safety
National Public Health Week: April 1-7, 2024
World Autism Month | Autism Speaks: Autism Awareness Day – April 2
World Health Day 2024: April 7
The OSHA Fall Prevention Campaign will be observed May 6-10, 2024. Information about the National Stand Down week activities is available on the OSHA website.
Other observances in May include National Electric Safety (NEC) month and Police/EMS/Trauma weeks. Additionally, May is safe boating/water safety month with the onset of summer recreational water activities picking up.
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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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