September Safety Observances: 5 Celebrations You Won’t Want to Miss

Pop quiz! Did you know that September is Emergency Preparedness Month? We bet you didn’t. Don’t worry, though; KPA’s roundup of September safety observances is here. Not only can safety observances keep your workplace focuses interesting and relevant, but they can also provide a great opportunity to review topics with your team that you may not have otherwise.

September Safety Observances

Emergency Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.

Here are some resources to help your team stay prepared

Four Simple Ways to Tighten Up Your Emergency Response Plan

An organization with a comprehensive, systematic emergency response plan can minimize risks and save lives before, during, and after any emergency.

Pop Quiz: Emergency Response

Do you know the key components of an emergency response program and employee emergency response training? Is your organization well-equipped in the event of an emergency? Find out by taking KPA’s Emergency Response Pop Quiz.

Learn – and train workers on – how to perform CPR and use an AED

“It’s really important to know how to do something,” said Carrie Bush, a first aid expert and program manager at the National Safety Council. “You never know when you’re going to need to use it. You’re more likely to save a life if you do something other than just calling 911.”

Emergency Preparedness Month resources from ready.gov

National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month

National Recovery Month, which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.

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 >

Labor Day

September 1, 2025

This one’s about as straightforward as it gets: The U.S. Department of Labor defines Labor Day as “an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.”

National Concussion Awareness Day

September 19, 2025

Concussions have become an epidemic in the United States, with millions of mild traumatic brain injuries happening each year. National Concussion Awareness Day aims to create an opportunity for public discussion of this issue. By raising awareness of the importance of recognizing a concussion, treating it appropriately, and supporting the injured, we can positively impact lives nationwide

In 2021 and 2022, there were over 195,720 head injuries involving days away from work. (Source)

Aside from personal impacts, the financial costs of an employee suffering a concussion are staggering. Find OSHA’s estimated figures here >

Using the correct PPE can greatly decrease your chances of suffering a concussion. Brush up on your knowledge >

Want even more information on the topic? Take our training course on PPE and hearing conservation here >

National Coffee Day

September 29, 2025

And to top everything off, we have our most important and relevant holiday of the month… National Coffee Day! Traditionally celebrated with an extra fancy morning coffee splurge (or, in some places, a free coffee!!) National Coffee Day continues to hold significant importance to the American public, and can be a great way to treat your employees and remind them how much you appreciate their work.

And, because we know you’ve always wanted to know what type of coffee you are, here’s a link to our favorite coffee quiz >

(Shout out to all of the hazelnut latte drinkers out there).

Build a stronger safety culture month by month. The 2025 Safety Observances Guide is designed to be your comprehensive companion for planning and executing meaningful safety initiatives throughout the year.

Download eBook >

Safety Meeting Topics for September

Keep your safety meetings, toolbox talks, or safety trainings relevant to your workforce’s needs in September. Here are some suggestions for topics to cover. Check out some of the safety meeting outline topics we offer:

Emergency Preparedness
Stay well-informed about the types of emergencies that are likely to occur in the workplace, attend all training to respond properly in emergency situations, and understand the basics of your emergency action plan.

Drug Abuse on the Jobsite
Everyone has something to lose when there is drug and alcohol use on the jobsite.

Head Injuries
Quick tips about first aid for head injuries on the job.

Online Training Topics for September

Digging through KPA’s comprehensive training catalog, here are some topics that reinforce September’s safety observances.

Emergency Action Plan Customizable Training

An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document required by law, and used to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. An emergency action plan is designed to avoid or minimize serious events, such as injuries, loss of life, or significant damage to company property.

Personal Protective Equipment for Management

This training provides an overview of personal protective equipment (PPE). Designed for managers, this course includes the requirements for wearing PPE, the various types of PPE, care and maintenance of PPE, and employer responsibilities.

Naloxone – Overdose Prevention

This training covers what Naloxone is and its relevance to the workplace. It covers warning signs, risk assessment, training, and personal protective equipment.

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 >