June Is National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month. This campaign, put together by the National Safety Council (NSC), highlights efforts to prevent injuries and deaths inside and outside the workplace. It also provides learning opportunities for employees, allows employers to share their pride in safety and encourages employees to pledge to work safely. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 5,283 work-related fatalities and over 2.5 million recordable cases of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the private sector in 2023. These findings emphasize how essential it is to promote safety at work. During National Safety Month, a different safety topic will be highlighted each week. Here’s an outline of 2025’s topics:

• Continuous Improvement (June 1-7)—Employers should strive to continuously improve their safety programs and strengthen the workplace’s overall safety culture. This includes routinely assessing risks, reviewing policies, and providing training to staff on the latest safety equipment and procedures. Technology and data analysis can also be leveraged to spot trends that need to be addressed. Additionally, audits should be utilized to find issues that need improvement.
• Employee Engagement (June 8-14)—For employees to prioritize workplace safety, they need to be engaged. Employers can foster increased engagement among their staff by developing interactive training activities, scheduling regular toolbox talks, posting plenty of safety signage on-site and offering a range of written resources (e.g., workplace safety manuals and flyers). Additionally, employers should reward employees who demonstrate a commitment to injury prevention.
• Roadway Safety (June 15-21)—Having employees operate vehicles on behalf of a company poses several potential safety risks. According to the BLS, there were 1,942 work-related fatalities due to transportation incidents in 2023, the most of any category. As such, it’s crucial for employers to only hire qualified drivers and educate them on roadway safety. Specifically, drivers should be instructed to inspect their vehicles before and after each journey, avoid any distractions behind the wheel and comply with all traffic laws.
• Well-being (June 22-30)—Workplace stress can impact workers in numerous ways, including contributing to physical illness and compromising safety by creating distractions and reducing reaction times. According to the World Health Organization, 83% of workers in the United States suffer from work-related stress. Employers can take steps to support workers’ well-being by providing comprehensive mental health resources, establishing safe workplace practices, normalizing mental health discussions and providing education. These actions can improve an employee’s mental health and help create a safer work environment.

By educating their employees on these topics, companies can create healthier and safer work environments. For additional safety-related information and resources and to sign up for National Safety Month, visit the NSC’s website. 

The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.