Every June, “National Safety Month” is observed in workplaces across the United States. National Safety Month is not a federally recognized awareness campaign, but it is an influential and widely acknowledged effort. This observance is not aimed at raising awareness about safety hazards generally. It instead targets workplace safety, which has long been a critically pressing subject for Americans. Yet, for all the ways in which workplace safety hazards influence the lives of those who have been hurt or made ill on the job (as well as their loved ones, of course), most people in the U.S. don’t give much thought to the modern realities of safety risks in the workplace. If asked about workplace safety, many would undoubtedly discuss historical concerns, including the rights of children working in factories or they might refer to a few high-profile and high-risk industries – such as construction and commercial fishing.

In reality, every workplace is hazardous. Whether you teach dance or sit in front of a computer screen all day, tend to hospitalized pediatric patients or secure roof tiles before heading off to a bartending gig, if you’re employed, you face hazards in the workplace. This is one of the reasons that it is so important to honor National Safety Month each year – the observance provides an excellent excuse for workers to become increasingly educated about both the hazards they face in the workplace, as well as their rights as workers under the law. 

The Broad Goals of National Safety Month

National Safety Month awareness efforts are spearheaded by the respected nonprofit safety advocate organization The National Safety Council. However, this is not the only organization actively engaged in “spreading the word” about National Safety Month and all it stands for. The NSC’s promotional partners include (among many others) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, as well as the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses and the Center for Construction Research and Training.

The NSC has identified a primary focus area for each week of this year’s campaign. The focus areas are:

• Week 1 – “Preventing Incidents Before They Occur: Identifying risks and taking proactive safety measures to reduce hazard exposure.”
• Week 2 – “Addressing Ongoing COVID-19 Safety Concerns.”
• Week 3 – “It’s Vital to Feel Safe on the Job: Being able to be one’s self at work without fear of retaliation is necessary for an inclusive safety culture.”
• Week 4 – “Advancing Your Safety Journey: Safety is all about continuous improvement.”

These themes help to focus the efforts made in honor of National Safety Month in manageable ways. After all, the hazards that plague American workplaces are so widespread that it is impossible to tackle them all at once. By making incremental, focused progress, the hope is that such efforts will transform the safety culture of American workplaces slowly but surely.

Rights of Injured Workers Under the Law

While the theme for week 4 speaks to the broader goal of transforming safety culture broadly, the themes for weeks 1-3 target the kinds of pressing issues that workers face on the job at all times. First, there is the issue of preventing hazards from causing injury in the first place. Too often, workers are inadequately trained when it comes to safety matters, leaving them vulnerable to scenarios that would be manageable had they been provided with proper support. When workers are hurt on the job because they are inadequately trained, are provided with insufficient access to personal protective equipment, etc., they may be in a position to hold their employers responsible for this failure to keep them safe. While employees eligible for workers’ compensation benefits cannot sue their employers directly (although workers ineligible for these benefits can), they can submit an anonymous workplace safety inspection request to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. That effort can help to hold employers accountable for safety violations in ways that inspire a safer workplace for everyone.

Second, there is the issue of returning to work – or continuing to work – in the era of Covid. Workers are both physically and psychologically drained right now as a result of the pandemic. This is a hazard in and of itself. Employers need to account for these challenges and accommodate workers in proactive ways to minimize associated risks.

Finally, there is the issue of feeling safe on the job. Too often, workers understandable harbor fears that if they speak up about being injured on the job, they’ll suffer as a result of retaliation. Exercising one’s rights as a worker – including the right to file for and collect workers’ compensation benefits – cannot be lawfully met with retaliatory conduct on the part of employers. Reinforcing this message will help to ensure that full-time, part-time, documented, and undocumented workers alike feel mentally and physically safe while on the job.

Legal Aid Is Available

Whether you work on a construction site or in a tea shop, if you’ve been injured or developed an occupational illness as a result of your working conditions, you can benefit from speaking with a knowledgeable attorney about your rights as a worker who has suffered job-related harm. If you’re an eligible employee, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. No matter how your work is classified, you may be in a position to pursue significant compensation via the personal injury claims process. As California is a “pure comparative negligence state,” you may be entitled to this compensation even if you contributed to the cause(s) of your harm.

Regardless of the unique circumstances that you’re currently facing, our reputable legal team can assist you with your legal needs. Even if you’re unsure of whether you have grounds to pursue any kind of compensation, that’s okay. Our consultations are provided free of charge and they are conducted in a confidential, pressure-free environment. Speaking with us will give you a chance to ask us any questions that you may have and speaking with you will give us an opportunity to evaluate your case objectively. We look forward to speaking with you.