The National Safety Council (NSC) has designated June as National Safety Month. The organization uses the event to help educate people about potential safety hazards and ways to avoid injuries. For 2023, the NSC is emphasizing hazard recognition, slip and fall accident prevention, and workplace accidents.
NSC’s safety initiative takes on a whole new meaning when you learn that injury is the number one cause of death for people ages 1 to 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, injury is the leading cause of disability for Americans of all ages. The Chicago injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe want to do their part to help the NSC increase awareness and injury prevention during National Safety Month. Below are some valuable tips that can help you stay safe at home, at work, and on the road.
Hazard Recognition
Many accidents can be avoided by using astute hazard recognition. For National Safety Month, the NSC is encouraging people to quickly and accurately identify hazards so that they can be addressed immediately.
For instance, there are many simple flaws at home and work that could end up being perilous. Burnt-out lightbulbs, liquid on the floor, and contaminants in the air are common occurrences that are potentially dangerous. Being mindful of your surroundings, spotting hazards quickly, and taking the steps to eliminate them goes a long way in protecting yourself and those around you.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
More than one-million emergency room visits per year are a result of slip and fall accidents. These accidents can be caused by uneven, slippery, unstable, or loose surfaces. The simple act of losing your balance and falling down could result in sprains, strains, broken bones, and catastrophic injuries.
In addition to pain and discomfort, slip and falls may cause you to lose valuable time and money. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 22% of slip and fall injuries at the workplace result in an average of 31 missed workdays. For many people, particularly those that lack insurance or are underinsured, that’s a significant loss of time and wages.
The NSC wants people to avoid slip and falls by being mindful of the surfaces they step on, wearing footwear that’s appropriate for the surfaces being walked on, and taking extra precautions during inclement conditions. The organization believes that the vast majority of slip and falls are preventable through awareness and taking the right precautions.
Fatigue
There are many sources of fatigue—lack of sleep, poor nutrition, adjusting to daylight savings time, jet lag, and more. Fatigue can be lethal if you’re driving or working a physically-demanding job. Not only can it endanger yourself, but it can threaten those around you.
For National Safety Month, the NSC wants people to be aware of the dangers of fatigue. It stresses that even drowsy driving can lead to automobile accidents. Operating heavy machinery or working with sensitive equipment while fatigued can also be treacherous. In fact, these situations can be avoided by getting sufficient sleep and taking proper care of yourself.
Impairment
While many people associate impaired driving with alcohol, the NSC points out that there are many substances that can cause impairment. Case in point, over-the-counter medications, opioids, and marijuana can impair motor skills, judgment, and vision.
That said, alcohol is the most common and accessible substance that causes impairment. For National Safety Month, the NSC stresses that impairment starts with the first drink. It urges you to be familiar with the effects of any substance that you put into your body. Being aware is the first step in preventing an injury caused by impairment.
Spread the Word on National Safety Month
The NSC offers these helpful hints to further spread the word on safety:
- Tweet about National Safety Month on Twitter, and post safety tips and ideas on your other social media sites using the hashtag #NSM.
- Make an activity out of identifying hazards where you work and live.
- If you have a Google Chat, Microsoft Teams, or Slack at work, post safety information there to help your coworkers stay safe.
- You can also add safety information to your personal website or blog.
Injured During National Safety Month?
Unfortunately, no matter how many safety tips we practice, there is always the risk of someone else behaving in a negligent manner. If you have been injured in an accident, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney to discuss what legal options you may have.
Lerner and Rowe’s experienced attorneys are dedicated to winning you the highest compensation possible and helping you carry the emotional burden of an injury so that you can focus on recovery. The legal team at Lerner and Rowe is available 24/7 at 708-222-2222. We also offer a convenient LiveChat service or you can fill out our online case form. With more than 150,000 injury victims served over the last 30 years, Lerner and Rowe is the way to go.