National Safety Month is observed every year in June as an initiative of the National Safety Council. They have several resources available at their site for workplace and home safety. 

This year, they have chosen weekly topics for the month: emergency preparedness, slips/trips/falls, heat-related illness, and hazard recognition. You can choose to be inspired by these topics or follow them week by week - it’s up to you!

However, if you do plan to jump in on National Safety Month, have a plan to communicate the highest priority and most relevant information to your people. Some ideas to achieve this important communication:

• Give managers and supervisors tools to present information effectively. Relevant statistics and data are always memorable. Instead of providing a one-page script for a meeting leader to read aloud, instead provide visual aids like infographics of your own injury data or photos of areas of your worksites that need improvement or are best practices. 
• Start now, and let your leaders know you are planning a month of content for them. Invite them to collaborate with you on the best and most effective ways to communicate this important information. 
• Be specific. People need relevant and timely information that immediately applies to their work. You may need to customize a message on heat-related illness in multiple ways to reach varied audiences within your workforce. 
• Scale yourself. Turn the camera around to selfie mode and record a one-minute video on National Safety Month, your plan for communication, and why it’s important. Repeat this as often as you need during Safety Month or anytime when you want the workforce to hear from you. 
• Collaborate outside of your organization. You may have supply chain partners or local news organizations ready to partner with you on delivering and amplifying your Safety Month messages. Reach out now to find ways to work together. Local law enforcement or fire safety professionals could help you with emergency preparedness, a local gym could assist with slip/trip/fall demonstrations, a safety equipment vendor may have some new heat stress prevention items for your workforce to try, and the possibilities are endless with the topic of hazard recognition! 
• Document. Not just to document that training has taken place but take photos you can use later in newsletters, postings, and training.  

Don’t let the momentum of National Safety Month end on June 30th; the above tips don’t expire and are best practices for communicating safety any time of year!

One last tip, have fun! Safety can be educational and fun, impactful and entertaining; it’s a formula for learning and retention. 

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Let us know what you do for National Safety Month, and tag @utilityproworkwear and @nationalsafetycouncil in your posts!