National Safety Month: Staying Safe and Preventing Injury 

While safety is paramount throughout the year, National Safety Month in June highlights the importance of safety. Proactive research and planning can protect companies and individuals from unsafe circumstances. Our team of experienced life care planners recognizes National Safety Month by raising awareness about the following weekly safety topics. 

National Safety Month Preparedness 

Each week of National Safety Month has a different theme to highlight the many potential dangers that workers face. Companies can better protect their employees by understanding where potential injury risk presents itself. As experienced life care planners and vocational consultants, our experts provide high-quality injury research and education to our professional legal partners. 

Week 1: Emergency Preparedness 

An emergency is not the time to begin making a response plan, but instead a great time to review and practice your emergency preparedness plan. Companies need to create a plan in advance to know what to do in the event of an emergency to prevent injury and save lives. Emergencies could encompass hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, or fires. A comprehensive safety preparedness plan can include an individual prepared to administer first aid and CPR, a clear communication plan, access to the FEMA app, and the  availability and usage of an emergency kit on premises. 

Week 2: Slips, Trips, and Falls

One of the most common causes of workplace injuries and deaths are slips, falls, and trips. About 42,000 people died due to a fall at home or work in 2020. Fall injuries and deaths are oftentimes preventable with accident prevention measures like height risk assessment and routine floor repair and maintenance. Construction workers are the most at risk for falls due to the nature of the business. Other industries that face higher risks of a slip and fall include the service, transportation, healthcare, and production industries. 

Week 3: Heat-Related Illness

This topic is personal for the MacKenzie Life Care Planning team. With our office located in Tyler, TX, we commonly see summer temperatures in the mid-90s or even over 100 degrees. Heat can create a surprising amount of health complications for employees and individuals. This especially applies to facilities lacking air conditioning or requiring outdoor work, but can affect anyone exposed to the heat over a prolonged period. Proper planning can prevent heat-related injuries and illnesses. 

Week 4: Hazard Recognition

Workplace hazards encompass a broad range of potential dangers for employees, including dangerous chemicals, machinery, and even potential fire hazards. Company leadership can prevent injury and illness by assessing the unique threats and challenges of the workplace and create potential mitigation plans, policies, and training. A workplace safety program makes safety a priority and reduces the threat from hazards. 

History of National Safety Month 

The origin of National Safety Month dates back to 1996. The goal was to raise awareness about common safety issues. By focusing on key topics, the hope is to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths. 

Why We Need National Safety Month 

While safety should be a priority every day, standards can drop as daily production demands and distractions can result in losing focus on safety over time. June is the perfect time to reassess current company safety protocols and standards. Use this time to promote safety within the workplace by educating and identifying potential hazards. The National Safety Council provides free resources to aid individuals and companies in improving their safety protocols. 

How MacKenzie Life Care Planning Can Help

The experienced professionals at MacKenzie Life Care Planning work with personal injury attorneys and plaintiffs to perform vocational assessments and develop comprehensive life care plans that address the unique needs of an injured individual.  

Our experts also work with defense attorneys to review the reliability and validity of the plaintiff’s life care plan presented to them. We can utilize alternative medical opinions impacting care projections. We also analyze the plaintiff’s life care plan in light of standards set for the life care planning community. 

While no one wants to experience an accident or suffer an injury, accidents do happen. We are here for our clients when they need support, guidance, and education. 

Brain Injury 

Our certified life care planners and vocational experts understand that no two traumatic brain injuries are identical. Because of this, we approach each client with our wealth of knowledge and a fresh set of eyes. We work with clients to perform a vocational assessment and establish a life care plan that addresses the injured individual’s unique needs and goals. 

Burns 

A burn has lasting physical and psychological impacts on injured individuals. They may also require ongoing long-term treatment. We create life care plans that address the physical and mental needs of burn victims for both the short and long term. 

Neck and Back Injury

While neck and back injuries are common motor vehicle accident injuries, this is not the only cause. To develop an effective life care plan for those who suffer from neck and back injury, we work with medical professionals to understand the nature and extent of a client’s injuries, then work with clients to ensure their life care plan will provide for a better quality of life. 

Spinal Cord Injury 

A spinal cord injury is a specific type of back injury that centers around the spine. These types of injuries can be catastrophic and life-altering. Our life care planners aid clients in creating plans that will help individuals attain as much independence after injury as possible, helping clients to adapt to their current and future situations.

Chronic Pain 

Quality of life declines with increased chronic pain. Our life care planners focus on developing a plan that encourages individuals to remain active and engaged. Our plans address the physical and psychological needs of the injured person. Studies show that improving the perceived quality of life decreases an individual’s perceived intensity of chronic pain. 

Toxin Exposure 

Exposure to a toxin and the resulting injury can vary greatly depending on the type of toxin, method of exposure, and length of exposure. For example, an individual suffering lead exposure from a gunshot has different needs than an individual suffering neurological damage from chemical exposure at work. We work with clients to develop a long-term plan to address the unique impact of a particular toxin. 

Amputation 

An amputation happens when an individual suffers an injury that results in the loss of a limb. This type of injury requires significant adaptation. Our life care planners work to restore the individual’s functional capacity as much as possible. Through the use of physical therapy, prosthetics, and other adaptive aids, we assist in restoring lifestyle and employment activities.