Oregon Businesses Encouraged to Take Safety Break, May 13

Employers across Oregon are invited to promote workplace safety and health with training, award recognition events, or other creative activities during Safety Break for Oregon on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. Oregon OSHA coordinates the one-day event, designed to raise awareness and promote the value of safety and health in preventing on-the-job injuries and illnesses. The event is voluntary for employers and businesses can determine what activities are beneficial to their workforce. “Like any safety stand down, Safety Break by itself cannot promise to magically make an employer’s health and safety program real or more effective,” said Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA administrator. “But as part of a genuine effort to address workplace hazards, this event provides an opportunity to sharpen the focus, and to remind both workers and their employers that it requires continued focus and diligence to create a workplace free from the hazards that can cause serious injury, illness, or even death.” Safety Break encourages employees and management to work together on identifying safety and health concerns. The result of this cooperation can lead to fewer injuries and reduced workers’ compensation costs for employers. Companies planning to participate will be entered to win one of three $100 pizza luncheons when they sign up online by Friday, May 8. The prizes will be given to participating companies as part of a random drawing. The Oregon SHARP Alliance is sponsoring the contest. For more information, ideas on how to host an event, or to download graphics, go the Safety Break for Oregon website at http://www.orosha.org/subjects/safetybreak.html.