National Safety Month

Established in 1996 by the National Safety Council (NSC), National Safety Month is observed annually in the United States through the month of June.

The primary goal of the initiative is to increase public awareness of the leading safety and health risks across the country, with the ultimate focus on decreasing preventable injuries and deaths—not just in the workplace, but on the road, at home, and within local communities.

Weekly Safety Focus Areas

Each year, the NSC breaks the month down into four weekly themes to provide actionable focus areas for businesses, families, and individuals. For June, the designated weekly safety topics are:

Week 1: Moving Safety Forward

• Focus: Advancing a strong culture of safety both at home and at work using forward-thinking strategies, updated safety tools, and continuous improvement. This week also overlaps with National CPR and AED Awareness Week.

Week 2: Staying Safe on the Roads

• Focus: Reducing vehicular crashes and keeping drivers, pedestrians, and commercial fleets safe. Major topics include eliminating distracted driving, preventing impaired driving, and avoiding drowsy driving.

Week 3: Promoting Holistic Worker Health

• Focus: Highlighting total worker wellbeing by addressing the intersection of physical, mental, and emotional health. This includes reducing workplace stress, addressing fatigue, and ending the stigma around seeking mental health support.

Week 4: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Focus: Targeting the leading causes of unintentional injuries. Fall prevention is a major focus for both aging adults at home and workers on job sites (particularly in industries like construction).

 

How to Participate and Spread Awareness

Individuals and organizations can get involved in several ways to build a safer environment:

Go Green for Safety: Green is the universal color of safety. Organizations and communities are encouraged to wear green, light up buildings in green, and share photos on social media using the hashtag #GoGreenForSafety to show their commitment.

• Take the SafeAtWork Pledge: Individuals can officially sign the NSC pledge, promising to report hazards promptly, act as a safety role model, and actively help improve safety protocols.
• Host a Safety Stand-Down: Businesses often take 15 to 30 minutes out of the workday to hold dedicated safety briefings, “toolbox talks”, or interactive hazard-recognition sweeps.
• Update Emergency Kits: Use the month as a reminder to refresh first-aid kits, check smoke-detector batteries, and review family or workplace emergency evacuation plans.

Ultimately, National Safety Month is a reminder that keeping communities safe requires collective, daily effort. By focusing on preventable risks throughout June—from distracted driving to workplace falls—we can create a stronger culture of safety and protect the lives of those around us.