Doubling Down on Safety for June

June is National Safety Awareness Month — a time to double down on safety in construction, where the risk of injury remains high. In 2022 alone, nearly 1 in 5 worker fatalities in the U.S. occurred in construction, with falls, struck-by objects, electrocutions and caught-in/between incidents accounting for over 60% of deaths.

These tragedies are largely preventable. Simple precautions can reduce risk, such as wearing PPE, ensuring fall protection is in place, inspecting tools and machinery and maintaining clean work zones.

The National Safety Council's month-long initiative highlights a new safety focus each week:

• Continuous Improvement – Audit your safety protocols regularly.
• Employee Engagement – Encourage open safety discussions on-site.
• Roadway Safety – Use spotters and signage to protect workers near traffic.
• Mental & Physical Wellbeing – Recognize that health impacts hazard awareness and response.

Contractors can also promote safety by scheduling toolbox talks, enforcing lockout/tagout procedures and ensuring all workers are properly trained for the equipment they operate. Safety isn't a box to check. It's a mindset to encourage across every level of the crew.

Learn about the benefits of getting involved in National Safety Awareness Month from the NSC.