In the hustle of daily operations, workplace safety can sometimes take a backseat, but not at Duke Health. Recognizing the uptick in work-related injuries, Duke Health’s Engineering & Operations Department, in step with June’s National Safety Month, is placing a concerted effort on safety. Moving beyond mere compliance, Duke Health’s initiative, driven by Human Resources and the Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO), engages employees at all levels to put safety first. This approach isn’t simply about adherence to rules; it’s about cultivating a culture of care and prevention across the board.
What anchors this campaign is an intriguing and comprehensive online safety quiz designed to refresh knowledge on both general and Duke-specific safety protocols. Covering ten critical questions, the quiz isn’t just a test but a learning tool, reinforcing best practices and reaction strategies in the event of workplace accidents. The incentive? All who venture into this educational foray have a chance to relish in the sweet victory of winning a box of cookies from the Southern Sugar Bakery—a delightful twist that saw about 700 employees participate last year.
A National Concern Reflected Locally
This proactive measure by Duke Health reflects a broader national concern about workplace safety, underscored by the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which reported a 5.7% increase in fatal work injuries in 2022. The National Safety Council points to hazardous exposure, overexertion, and falls as the primary culprits of such injuries. Duke’s safety quiz tackles these critical areas head-on, providing accessible information and actionable insights tailored to their working environment.
Through this initiative, Duke actively promotes the concept of employee-led risk assessment. The idea is simple yet powerful: who better to identify potential hazards than those who work with them day in and day out? This encourages an inclusive safety dialogue across Duke’s diverse departments, emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in maintaining a safe work setting. The takeaway is clear—the more conscious the employees are about safety and the more they engage with educational content, the more they can help mitigate risks.
Cultivating a Secure Work Environment
While everyday pressures often push safety to the sidelines, Duke Health puts it center stage, especially during June’s National Safety Month. Addressing an increase in work-related injuries, the Engineering & Operations Department is doubling down on safety initiatives. Backed by Human Resources and the Occupational & Environmental Safety Office, it’s more than compliance—it’s about fostering a culture that prioritizes safety at all tiers of the organization.
Duke Health’s safety push features an engaging online quiz that refreshes staff on essential safety measures, tailored to both general guidelines and Duke’s specific protocols. This isn’t just any quiz; it serves as an interactive learning device with ten pivotal questions that reinforce safe practices and emergency handling steps. Taking part offers more than knowledge—with a little luck, participants can indulge in winning delectable cookies from the Southern Sugar Bakery. Last year’s quiz attracted roughly 700 staffers to join the mix, sweetening the pursuit of a safe work environment.
