Safety is on the brain as of late in the construction industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Sixth Annual National Fall Prevention Safety Stand-Down was held the week of May 6-10, and other organizations are also highlighting the importance of safety.

One of these is the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety in homes, schools and workplaces. The ESFI has declared May National Electrical Safety Month.

This year’s theme is Electrical Safety During Natural Disasters, and it focuses on the importance of electrical safety during the preparation for, weathering during and rebuilding after natural disasters.

"As families begin to clean up following a storm or flood, we want them to be mindful of the potential dangers that exist whenever water comes into contact with electricity," said Brett Brenner, ESFi president. He recommended all homeowners who have endured a disaster have a qualified electrician check the house wiring and appliances to ensure they are safe to use.

As part of the campaign, the ESFi is making new and updated electrical safety awareness resources available on its website. These include videos, fact sheets and related safety tips, covering topics such as workplace safety, the National Electrical Code, home or business preparations, overhead power lines and more.

Also joining in on the safety emphasis in May are two other groups, The Construction Industry Safety Group and the Incident and Injury-Free CEO Forum, which come together each May to promote Construction Safety Week, which, this year, was May 6-10. The two groups are comprised of over 70 national and global construction firms.

The groups put together a Planning Playbook, available for download on their website, to encourage employers to plan Safety Week activities, including safety meetings and demonstrations, project tours, appreciation barbecues and lunches, safety reviews and more. They also provide downloadable guides in English, French and Spanish for toolbox talks or short, informal safety meetings.

"We know that it's the little things done well every day and on every job that make the difference," states the Construction Safety Week site. "Weaving safety through everything we do unites us across the industry behind a common imperative. So, join us— celebrate safety where you work with an event, continue the conversation on social media, and get Safety Week gear to demonstrate your continued commitment to safety."