OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August. It is designed to recognize the successes of workplace safety and health programs as well as offer information and ideas on how to keep workers safe. This year it will run August 10–16.

“Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize your safety successes,” OSHA said.

According to OSHA, safety and health programs help businesses prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, improve compliance with laws and regulations, reduce costs (including workers’ compensation premiums), engage workers, enhance social responsibility goals and increase productivity and overall business operations.

OSHA is encouraging all organizations seeking to recognize their commitment to safety to participate in the events this year. Last year, over 3,300 businesses helped raise awareness about workers’ health and safety.

There are three elements to Safe + Sound Week:

Management leadership: This means there is a commitment from the top to implement a program and using it to drive continuous improvement in safety and health.

“When management leadership is sincere and is supported by actions, workers know that safety and health are important to business success,” said OSHA. “This means that the steps they take to improve safety and health will be valued by the business.”

Worker participation: Effective safety and health programs tap into workers’ collective experience, knowledge and insight to find solutions to workplace safety and health challenges.

“Workers often know the most about potential hazards associated with their jobs,” OSHA said. “When they are involved in finding solutions, they feel invested in the program. To maximize participation, however, workers must feel free of any fear or retaliation or discrimination (e.g., for reporting an injury or hazardous conditions).”

Find and fix hazards. At the core of every effective safety and health program is a systematic process for identifying and controlling workplace hazards. According to OSHA, finding and fixing hazards using a proactive approach, before they cause injury or illness, is more effective than reactive programs.