May 14, 2021

June is National Safety Month, tips for a safe return to office and more

The National Safety Council (NSC)

National Safety Month starts June 1

Each year, the National Safety Council hosts National Safety Month as a reminder to prioritize safety in the workplace and beyond. An area of focus is designated for each week in June. This year’s topics include incident prevention, COVID-19 safety, psychological safety and continuous improvement. Members and non-members can sign up to receive resources and help spread the various safety messages.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

Tips for planning a safe return to the workplace

During a recent Q&A session, ASSP President Deb Roy spoke about what employers can do to protect employee’s physical and mental health while planning a return to the workplace amidst COVID-19. Topics included implementing necessary controls, easing anxieties about returning and addressing vaccinations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA expands COVID-19 enforcement focus to restaurants

OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) involving COVID-19 prevention initially targeted the health care industry due to the high risk of exposure to employees. Now, as the number of COVID-19 cases declines and capacity restrictions are eased, restaurants are becoming a new target for inspections. The agency is expanding enforcement to include both full-service and limited-service establishments.

Studies, resources, trends, news

Tips for PPE assessments on construction sites

After a strong focus on COVID-19-related personal protective equipment (PPE), many companies were forced to re-evaluate PPE assessment programs. An article from Industrial Safety & Hygiene News provides several considerations for strengthening a company assessment program. PPE items discussed include respiratory protection, hearing protection, flame-retardant clothing, eye protection and footwear.