It’s that spooky time of year again! So pick up your candy, practice your zombie impressions, and… cover your ears? Yup, not only is October Halloween month, but it is also home to some of the best safety observances – including National Protect Your Hearing Month. Following monthly safety observances can help you stay on top of all the workplace safety-relevant topics while keeping employee attitudes interested and engaged. Here’s our roundup of all the topics you won’t want to miss this October:
October 2024 Safety Observances
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
Substance Abuse Prevention Month centers around tackling the worldwide issue of substance abuse. Established in 2011, it also focuses on celebrating those who have overcome substance abuse issues and remembering those who were unable to do so.
Find more general resources here
Addiction awareness is especially necessary in certain industries. According to a 2015 study, 14.3% of full-time construction workers reported addiction to alcohol or other substances. Learn more about industry-specific best practices here >>
Check out an interview on addressing substance abuse with ABC’s Greg Sizemore >>
National Protect Your Hearing Month
National Protect Your Hearing Month gives us an opportunity to revisit occupational hearing hazards. During this month, we are encouraged to review the safety measures in our own workplaces surrounding hearing protection.
According to the CDC, all industries have hearing risks.
Wearing the correct PPE can make a great impact on limiting the risk of hearing damage. If you would like to become an expert on the subject, check out a sample of our training on PPE and Hearing Conservation.
National Fire Protection Week – October 8-14
National Fire Protection Week surrounds the topics involved in all things fire safety related. It is celebrated each year on the week of October 9th to commemorate the Chicago fire of 1871, and is the perfect opportunity to review workplace fire hazards and safety procedures.
Make sure your employees are fully trained in fire prevention.
- Check out a sample of our online training.
- Learn about important procedures involving fire extinguisher inspections.
Some of the most important facets of fire safety include maintaining up-to-date fire protection in the workplace. Here’s an overview of what OSHA requires.
Halloween – October 31
And finally, what we’ve all been waiting for… Halloween! Here at KPA, we love to celebrate the holiday but also recognize the importance of practicing supernatural safety during these times. While it’s not quite an OSHA requirement, in our experience, it has proven most effective to wear a string of garlic around your neck to keep the vampires away. We also recommend never directly inviting a stranger into your house, and if all else fails, a salt circle will usually do the trick.
If you haven’t already, now’s the time to start implementing safety observances into your safety plans.
This is the perfect opportunity to level up your knowledge and take action to keep yourself and those around you safe. When we all prioritize safety, we create a culture that benefits everyone. So let’s make the most of this month and take advantage of the amazing resources available to us!
Need help? Check out the Compliance Calendar as a great way to keep on top of all your important dates >
Stay safe out there!
Check out a full year of Safety Observances
Keep safety top of mind all year long by including these safety observances into your programming.
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