Held August 12-18, 2024, this nationwide event recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs. It also offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe, as well as compliance assistance resources.

What is OSHA Safe + Sound Week?

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held annually in August. Participation is open to all organizations looking to recognize their commitment to safety. The agency notes that in 2023, more than 3,900 businesses helped to raise awareness about workers’ health and safety.

To participate, sign up at osha.gov/safeandsoundweek. The same site offers materials, activities, and post-able information. It also displays a U.S. state and territory map showcasing companies who are participating in the event.

What is OSHA emphasizing during Safe + Sound Week 2024?

This year Safe + Sound Week will emphasize job hazard analysis (JHA) resources. A JHA, sometimes called a job safety analysis, enables operations to better identify and control unrecognized hazards. JHAs also explore hazards that might emerge after the introduction of a new process or piece of equipment. According to OSHA, a JHA seeks to answer the following questions:

  • What are the potential consequences and worst-case scenarios of a given situation?
  • How could an incident happen?
  • What other factors could contribute to an incident occurring?
  • How likely is it that an incident will happen?
  • How can the hazard(s) be mitigated?

Why should operations using overhead lifting participate?

Companies — including those that utilize overhead lifting and handling systems — with the most successful safety and health programs proactively identify and manage workplace hazards. OSHA notes that by mitigating these hazards before they cause injury or illness, an operation improves both sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help launch a new program, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize safety successes.

Owners of overhead lifting equipment should consider OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week as an opportunity to reinforce their existing training programs with additional formal training sessions. Or they may choose to engage in a series of “toolbox talks” at the start of each shift to review specific safety topics.

What safety topics will the CHM Alliance prioritize during Safe + Sound Week?

During Safe + Sound Week, the CHM Alliance urges operations handling loads overhead to place additional emphasis on fall protection training. Personnel inspecting or servicing cranes often work at height. Whether they’re accessing the equipment via a mobile scissor lift, aerial work platform or crane walkway, they must always use fall protection devices. Known as a fall arrest system, these devices feature a harness for the operator to wear. The harness latches to a self-retracting lanyard that connects to an anchor point overhead. The system reacts immediately if the wearer loses their balance and falls, stopping their descent and suspending them in mid-air.

Also, in acknowledgement of Safe + Sound Week’s August timeframe — during one of the summer’s hottest months — the CHM Alliance recommends that operations review the risks and signs of heat illnesses with their employees. Many warehouses and manufacturing facilities lack climate control. It is important to train all workers on the symptoms and signs of different illnesses related to high temperatures, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Among them are dizziness or lightheadedness, heavy sweating, fatigue, thirst, confusion, slurred speech, unconsciousness and more. OSHA offers a variety of resources and recommendations for first aid practices, including moving the affected worker to a cooler area, removing heavy clothing, applying wet towels, and calling 911.

What is an OSHA Alliance Program Ambassador?

OSHA created its Alliance Program in 2002 to enable organizations committed to safety and health to work with OSHA to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the workplace. The CHM Alliance was established in 2005 and has been renewed regularly since that date.

In 2021, the CHM Alliance received Ambassador status. OSHA’s designation recognizes the high level of commitment to safety demonstrated by CHM Alliance members. It also acknowledges the CHM Alliance’s commitment to maintaining a productive cooperative relationship with the agency. For more information and safety resources, visit mhi.org/chm.

Want to learn more about overhead lifting safety best practices?

The three members of the CHM Alliance — the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI), and the Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA) — each offer a range of in-depth safety resources. These include standards, specifications, safety checklists, and best practice guidelines specific to the different types of overhead handling equipment.