PARK RIDGE, Illinois — Everyone plays a role in minimizing risks that lead to injuries, illnesses and fatalities at work. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) encourages widespread involvement in upcoming workplace safety campaigns that begin April 28 with the observance of Workers’ Memorial Day, an international day of remembrance for workers who died on the job.
“We often take for granted that our families will be safe and healthy at the end of the workday,” said ASSP President Rixio Medina, CSP, CPP. “But that assumption is far from reality given the many who are lost every day around the world as a result of work-related incidents.”
The International Labor Organization reports there are nearly 2.8 million deaths globally each year – more than 7,600 each day – for reasons attributed to work, with the biggest cause linked to work-related diseases.
“These campaigns draw attention to the responsibility we all have to make our jobs safer and healthier,” Medina said.
ASSP’s 38,000-plus members worldwide – who develop and implement safety and health management programs for employers in every industry – will be involved in the following safety observances. Join ASSP’s social media outreach on Twitter and Facebook to share resources and bring value to these campaigns.
April 28: Workers’ Memorial Day – A global event driven by the AFL-CIO that commemorates workers who lost their lives on the job. It also renews the fight for safe jobs everywhere. (#WorkersMemorialDay)
May 5-11: Safety and Health Week – Created by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (and formerly known as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week), this observance encourages grassroots efforts at every organization in all industries to bolster workplace safety. (#SafetyAndHealthWeek)
May 6-10: Construction Safety Week – This campaign is led by an alliance of construction firms and it raises safety awareness on construction sites. Stand-downs and workplace presentations engage employees and offer important reminders about safe building practices. (#ConstructionSafetyWeek)
May 6-10: National Safety Stand-Down – The sixth-annual campaign to prevent falls in construction is led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in partnership with ASSP. Falls from height are a leading cause of death for construction workers. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforce the importance of fall prevention. (#StandDown4Safety)
August 12-18: Safe + Sound Week – Spearheaded by OSHA, this campaign aims to connect safety and profitability. Safety and health management programs address workplace risks before they cause problems, improving a company’s bottom line. (#SafeAndSoundAtWork)
About ASSP – Working together for a safer, stronger future
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Professionals has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of over 38,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. ASSP advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.assp.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media contact: Blaine Krage, 847.768.3416, bkrage@assp.org