Safe + Sound Week

     The Safe + Sound program is a joint initiative of several safety-oriented organizations to promote development of and broad participation in workplace safety and health programs.  In August each year, this year-round campaign boosts its outreach and recognition efforts by hosting a week-long event.
     Running from August 12 – 18, Safe + Sound Week 2024 highlights job hazard analysis, providing reference material and guidance to facilitate successful execution.  Nearly 4000 businesses, industry groups, educational institutions, and governmental bodies have registered for participation.  In addition to in-house efforts, some organizations also open events to the public.

     The consortium that coordinates Safe + Sound activity is comprised of seven organizers and dozens of partner organizations.  The organizers’ contribution to Safe + Sound efforts includes development and review of reference material.  The organizers are:

• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA):  a membership organization of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals that promotes the application of scientific knowledge to the protection of workers in all industries.
• Voluntary Protection Program Participants’ Association (VPPPA):  a mutual aid group for participants in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program striving for continuous improvement in workplace safety and health.
• American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP):  a membership organization of occupational safety and health professionals that provides continuing education and standards development.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):  a division of the US Department of Labor tasked with establishing and enforcing standards of workplace safety and health.
• National Safety Council (NSC):  a nonprofit organization pursuing the elimination of leading causes of death and injury in workplaces and on roadways by applying research and data.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):  a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services tasked with conducting research on work-related illness and injury and recommending preventive practices.
• The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR):  a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing illness and injury in the construction industry through research, training, and service programs.

     There are three core elements of a workplace safety and health program defined in Safe + Sound:  management leadership, worker participation, and find & fix hazards.  Program activities, presented as a series of “challenges,” are structured around these core elements.
     Like any organizational initiative, management leadership is necessary to drive execution.  Leaders must communicate the value of the program, provide resources, and remain engaged in the process.  Defined challenges reflect the importance of a hands-on approach.
     Worker participation includes the identification and resolution of safety and health issues.  “Front-line” experience is crucial to successful safety and health management programs; those most familiar with potentially hazardous conditions must raise awareness of concerns and offer potential solutions.
     A proactive approach is needed to find & fix hazards.  The objective is to actively seek potential causes of injury or illness and implement effective controls before anyone is harmed.  The “Safety Shuffle Challenge” proposes a job-swapping exercise be conducted to combat normalcy bias.

     Formal participation (i.e. registration and publicity) in the program is not required to reap benefits from it.  Reference material is available online to be used, in whole or in part, as best suits an organization’s current needs.
     Perhaps a “trial run” is in order before registering for next year’s event.  If so, there is a recommended schedule of daily activity that an organization unfamiliar with job hazard analysis can follow to gain experience.  Likewise, completing some of the challenges is far better than attempting none.  Practitioners should always remember that the end (a safe and healthy workforce) is more important than the means (e.g. special event).

     For additional guidance or assistance with Safety and Operations challenges, feel free to leave a comment, contact JayWink Solutions, or schedule an appointment.

Jody W. Phelps, MSc, PMP®, MBA
Principal Consultant
JayWink Solutions, LLC
[email protected]