Region:
June is National Safety Month. Workplace safety is a topic we take very seriously, both for our customers and internally. Safety on the job site is the driving force behind everything we do, and ensuring workers have the tools necessary to complete whatever task they may face is behind every decision we make. We are proud to offer products that make their way on to many companies’ workplace safety checklists.
Why it matters.
Occupational injuries are expensive. In 2019, the cost resulting from these injuries was $171 billion with 105 million days of productivity lost. These statistics include both direct costs like workers comp and medical expenses, and indirect costs like fines and administrative fees. There were 2.8 million nonfatal and over 888,000 fatal injuries or illnesses in 2019 alone. 
Sprains, strains, and tears are the most common injuries reported, followed by soreness/pain and cuts/lacerations/punctures. Injuries and fatalities span across job functions and affect a broad range of industries from healthcare to manufacturing. Top industries affected include:
- Agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting
- Transportation/warehousing
- Construction
- Wholesale trade
- Professional and business services
With an estimated 2.8% of full-time workers injured annually, preventing occupational injury should be a major goal of every business. One thing that can help reduce these injuries is a workplace safety checklist.
Workplace Safety Checklist
Creating a checklist of the items you need to have as well as procedures that need to be followed will hold your business and workers accountable for safety at work. While the needs of every company may vary and different industries and municipalities have different regulations, below are some items we feel most businesses should have on hand.
For your building:
- First aid kit to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses.
- Posted evacuation plans in the event of fire or other danger.
- Emergency lighting in event of power failure.
- Clear hazard markings on all dangerous materials and areas.
- Noise monitor to track dB exposure in environments with heavy machinery or that require the use of loud tools.
- Written safety rules and procedures shared with all workers.
- Fire extinguisher to quell flames.
We also recommend that companies have a designated safety coordinator with training on how to handle emergency situations. Here at Pyramex, we have an employee who oversees safety issues like severe weather, lockdown, and fire, among other potential safety situations. When something goes wrong, we all know where to look for guidance.
For your people (type varies by workplace and job duties):
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
- Head protection
- Appropriate workwear (including hi-vis)
- Gloves
- Employee identification
- Access to water
- Access to shade and cooling products
- Safety training
- Properly functioning tools and equipment
Every industry and even job site has unique PPE needs. That is why Pyramex offers a wide range of products to serve everyone from electricians to farmers to oil rig workers. Our sales team can help you choose what products are right for you and your team.
To learn more about National Safety Month, check out the National Safety Council website. Be sure to check your local and industry safety requirements to build out your workplace safety checklist.
