The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) joined businesses nationwide to recognize the successes of workplace safety and health programs during Safe + Sound Week, held from Aug. 7-13, 2023.

The annual event involves thousands of jobsites promoting the benefits of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards.

Businesses that incorporate safety and health programs can help prevent injuries and illnesses, reduce workers’ compensation costs, and improve productivity.

“We want businesses to have a system, not just good intentions, and make safety a core value for every worker in every workplace,” says Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health. “During this week and throughout the year, we urge every employer to commit to implementing a program that drives continuous improvement in safety and health.”

This year’s program is focused on supporting mental health and well-being, all while offering resources to help alleviate workplace stress. Mental health, workplace stress, and suicide have very real work-related implications, and especially in the construction industry—where the suicide rate is more than three times higher than that of the general population, according to OSHA.

Organizations of any size or in any industry looking for an opportunity to show their commitment to safety can participate. In 2022, more than 3,300 businesses helped raise awareness about workers' safety and health.

Click here for more resources and tools from OSHA to help plan and promote safety events. 

For more information, contact: OSHA, www.osha.gov.

Editor’s note: The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is dedicated to fostering the skills and knowledge that professionals need to actively spot hazards, identify solutions, and ensure a safe working environment.

A helpful resource for identifying those resources is available here.