August is a busy month in the safety world, with several important events being held to bring awareness to safety and health on and off the jobsite. Two major events this month focus on safe driving: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Stop on Red Week. Drivers (and employers) should be aware of the likelihood of increased traffic stops this month as a result of these events, and should reiterate safe driving principles and ensure training records are up to date in preparation.
Other August events include International Overdose Awareness Day and Safe+Sound Week. At Evolution Safety Resources, we like to use these events as opportunities to encourage clients to examine aspects of safety that extend beyond the jobsite. Defensive Driving Programs, Employee Assistance Programs, and Anonymous Reporting programs are just some of the ways that employers can positively impact the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their employees. Keep reading below for more information on each event and ways to get involved.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is a national campaign aimed at preventing drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “One person is killed about every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash, totaling more than 13,000 lives lost each year.” The legal limit for a driver’s blood alcohol content is 0.08% in all states except Utah, where the limit is 0.05%.
For our clients, we like to use this month as a time to reiterate safe driving on and off the job, such as:
- Implementing a defensive driving program to educate employees and ensure that safe driving practices are followed both on and off the clock. Consider including the following elements in your defensive driving program to ensure drivers are obeying the law and acting in accordance with company standards:
- Pull driving records annually for all company drivers to ensure compliance with company standards.
- Monitor geo data for erratic and off-hours activity.
- Encourage workers to follow the guidance of the NHTSA regarding drinking and driving:
- Before drinking, plan a safe and sober ride home.
- Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
- If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home.
- If you see an impaired driver, call 911. And always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
Stop on Red Week
National Stop on Red Week is a campaign that occurs each year during the first week of August to raise awareness about the dangers of running red lights and to promote safe driving practices. This year, Stop on Red week will occur from August 4th through the 10th.
Thousands of people are injured or killed each year due to red-light running. In the last decade, red-light running crashes killed nearly 9,000 people.
For employers that utilize company vehicles, defensive driving training is an important tool for preventing accidents and promoting worker safety both on and off the job. Defensive driving training can help prevent accidents by encouraging safe driving practices, reminding drivers of the dangers and consequences of unsafe driving, and ensuring that employees are aware of company policies.
Visit the National Coalition for Safer Roads website to learn more about Stop on Red Week.
Safe+Sound Week
Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event organized by OSHA to recognize the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offer information and ideas on how to keep workers safe. This year, Safe+Sound week will occur from August 12th through the 18th, and will focus on Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). Visit OSHA’s website to register and access activities, materials, graphics and flyers, and more resources.
International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Day is a global event observed each year on August 31st with the goal of raising awareness about overdose, reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledging the grief felt by families and friends. According to the Penington Institute, “In 2021, an estimated 296 million people – one in every 17 people aged 15-64 – had used a drug in the past 12 months, a 23 percent increase from 2011.”
Overdoses are 100% preventable. The following tips offer a guideline for preventing and responding to overdoses:
- Understand the risks associated with drug use.
- Train employees on how to recognize and respond to an overdose. Common signs of an overdose can include:
- Difficulty breathing, vomiting, or gurgling noises
- Blue or purple fingernails and lips
- Slow or no heartbeat, unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
- Opioids: pinpoint pupils, limp body
- Stimulants: Agitation, high body temperature
- Responding to an overdose:
- Call 911 if someone is experiencing symptoms
- Provide the exact location and details of the situation
- Stay with the person until help arrives and perform rescue breathing if the person is not breathing
- Use naloxone (Narcan) if available and trained to do so
- Consider adding Naloxone (Narcan) to first aid kits. Naloxone is an over-the-counter emergency treatment used to revive someone during an opioid overdose. In many areas, naloxone can be purchased over-the-counter in pharmacies. A person who has been given naloxone should be monitored constantly until emergency help arrives, and for 2 hours after the last dose of naloxone was given.
- Encourage open communication about substance use. Consider implementing an Anonymous Reporting program to encourage workers to safely share substance abuse concerns they may have in the workplace.
- Provide access to addiction support services and counseling. Consider implementing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support workers who may suffer from addiction or substance abuse. EAPs are voluntary programs that help employees resolve personal problems which impact their work performance, conduct, health, and well-being through assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and more.
The International Overdose Awareness Day website offers more information on overdose facts and statistics, as well as ways to get involved in the event.
Conclusion
These events provide an excellent opportunity to focus on various aspects of safety, health, and well-being, both in the workplace and the community. Participation in these events can lead to a safer, healthier environment for everyone. Contact Evolution Safety Resources today if you would like assistance in getting involved in these events or need support in enhancing your safety programs. Our experts are ready to help you every step of the way.