“Safe and sound” is an often-used expression that signifies being free from harm, danger, or injury. In terms of risk management within your organization, establishing responsibilities and a commitment to safety is a strategy recommended by Sentinel to our clients each day. Every year, over 5,000 workers lose their lives on the job in the United States. Furthermore, more than 3.6 million employees sustain significant injuries annually while on the job.
As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hosts an annual nationwide event in August known as “Safe + Sound Week”. This initiative aims to emphasize the importance of businesses integrating safety and health programs into their workplace practices.
Why Participate in Safe + Sound Week?
Participating in this week provides a unique opportunity to internally review policies and procedures. It offers a platform for employers to promote safety culture and internal efforts to continuously improve and mitigate risk proactively. Unfortunately, many employers tend to conduct training or assess programs only after an accident or injury occurs.
A fair question to ask is, “Where does your company stand regarding safety and health risk management?” Is there room for improvement by evaluating what is effective and what is not? Evaluating whether your company is taking a proactive or reactive approach to risk management is crucial. Employers that participate in the Safe and Sound events, shift towards a proactive risk management approach.
If your company only provides training after a loss occurs, this is considered as taking a reactive risk management approach. It implies that safety measures and controls are an afterthought and byproduct of a resulting claim. Simply put, employees may not be adequately informed or trained properly on the exposures prior to an incident occurring, even if the possibility of loss was recognized beforehand.
OHSA’s Safe + Sound Week enables employers to adjust or even kick-start their safety and health program, embracing a more proactive stance. Moreover, businesses engaged in this event can improve their current programs and communicate safety achievements with their employees, progressing together. As safety assumes the spotlight this week, encourage creativity and embrace fresh ideas and opportunities from your team to promote risk awareness.
Who Can Participate?
Organizations of all sizes and industries interested in enhancing awareness and gaining recognition for their commitment to safety are encouraged to participate. In 2023, over 3,900 companies took part in Safe + Sound Week to promote workers’ health and safety. The initiatives developed and assessed during this event can establish a strong base for accountability and awareness.
Regardless of your company or organization’s current level of safety integration, there is always potential for improvement. Employers are encouraged to engage by visiting the Safe + Sound website and choosing activities to join. After the event, employers can download a certificate and web badge from the website to acknowledge their organization’s and employees’ involvement. The key focus during this period is active participation by your organization. With a wide array of resources at your disposal, it is crucial to invest time in exploring your specific risks and raising awareness.
Partnering With Sentinel
If there are areas where your organization lacks experience or confidence, our team of experts is here to provide additional advice, guidance, and counsel. The Sentinel Risk Performance Group has a wealth of safety resources and collaborates with numerous clients and carriers annually. These interactions have led to the development of a repository of best practices and risk management techniques. Sentinel is committed to sharing these resources with clients looking to take that next step in improving their risk profile. No one understands your business as well as you do, but by actively collaborating, we can strive towards shared safety and risk management objectives. We invite you to join us in participating in Safe + Sound Week and Safeguarding Your Success.
