National Safety Month is celebrated in June when people focus on how they can keep their environment safe and free from any danger. It is a time to reflect on the working conditions around the country and how we can create a safer environment for those who work hard for honest pay. By learning about safety methods, we can increase pressure on employers to offer a safer working environment to their employees.
History of National Safety Month
The National Safety Council is the founder of National Safety Month. It declared June as National Safety Month in 1996. The council aims to spread awareness of safety hazards and unintentional injuries for industrial workers of the United States.
Historian Arnold Toynbee used the term ‘Industrial Revolution’ for the first time during the late 18th century. He created awareness of the safety of workers who worked in coal mines and the textile industry. During that period, workers were not given enough space to work safely and were often given hot and dangerous equipment to work with.
Moreover, workers were required to work over 10 hours for minimum wages. In 1877, the Massachusetts Factory Act was passed. Within 13 years, other states in the U.S. issued similar laws to improve the safety standards for American workers.
Later, in 1913, the National Safety Council in Chicago estimated that more than 20,000 industrial workers die from poor working conditions in the U.S. every year. Soon, Canada passed its first health and safety law under the Factory Act of 1884. The Canadian government, however, only practically implemented its Factory Act when five immigrant workers lost their lives while working underground in Toronto.
Similarly, the U.S. government became more proactive in supporting the rights of industrial workers after the infamous fire incident at the Shirtwaist Factory in 1911 in New York City. A fire broke out in the garment factory and the workers were trapped inside the factory, since all the fire exit doors were locked.
National Safety Month timeline
The first mining commission is founded in Pennsylvania.
The Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act is passed to improve industrial labor standards.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is signed by President Richard Nixon.
The Canadian Government passes the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Act.
National Safety Month FAQs
Is there a National Safety Month?
Ys, June is National Safety Month.
Why is June Safety Month?
The National Safety Council (NSC) declared June as National Safety Month in the United States in 1996.
What is September Safety Month?
September is National Food Safety Education Month.
How To Celebrate National Safety Month
Conduct a home fire drill
Fire is highly likely. However, taking precautionary measures can prevent severe damage. And what better time than National Safety Month to practice a fire drill. Select a safety point that's close to your house. Test your fire alarms and perform the drill.
Update your first-aid kit
Keeping an updated professional first aid kit is a simple yet effective way to keep yourself prepared for unforeseen emergencies. Make sure to stock it with dressings, bandages, tape, ointments, wipes, aspirin, gloves, scissors, and gauze pads. Make sure to check the first-aid kit regularly and remove ointments and medications that have reached their expiration dates.
Practice self-defense
It’s always good to be mentally and physically prepared to face any unforeseen harm or danger. The best part about self-defense is that anyone can learn it. Anyone who needs to improve their strength and agility can practice different techniques like karate, boxing, and jiu-jitsu.
5 Facts About Industries That Will Blow Your Mind
The world's first assembly line factory
Henry Ford founded the world's first assembly line factory, which manufactured cheaper cars in less time.
Child labor was common in the U.S.
Nearly 150 years ago, children worked in factories until laws against child labor were created.
Gold mining is hard
More than 80% of the world’s gold is undiscovered and lies deep under the Earth’s surface.
Early factories were located near rivers
Before electricity was discovered, water was the main energy source of factories.
Petroleum is in a lot of things
Petroleum is found in over 5,000 everyday items including crayons and DVDs.
Why National Safety Month is Important
It focuses on all aspects of employee health and safety
Instead of focusing on a single workplace hazard, the National Safety Council selects four different types of health and safety issues each year and dedicates one week to each issue such as emergency preparedness, wellness, falls, and driving.
It gives us insights into the history of industrial safety
National Safety Month gives us valuable information and statistics about industrial safety standards in the U.S. and Canada. It offers a detailed timeline of the development of labor laws in different industries.
It offers safety tips for everyday life
National Safety Month teaches us to be proactive when it comes to anticipating potential disasters. This is something that you can implement at your workplace and home to make it safer for you and your loved ones.
National Safety Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | June 1 | Saturday |
| 2025 | June 1 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 1 | Monday |
| 2027 | June 1 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | June 1 | Thursday |
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