NAWIC Pacific Northwest Safety & Health Message

We hope everyone has had a good start to the new year. As February winds down and March comes in (maybe like a lion?) we want to take the time to make you aware of some safety & health events through the remainder of the month and into March.

February – American Heart Month sponsored by the American Heart Association. This is a

great time to renew first aid and CPR courses and to take care of your own heart health by

getting regular check ups, eating healthy and exercising. Go Red for Women’s Heart Health

is recognized the first Friday of the month.

Coming into March there are a number of events including:

• Brain Injury Awareness – (Brain Injury Awareness Month - Brain Injury Association of America) Traumatic brain injuries are among the most significant in the construction

industry. Class II helmets with chin straps are becoming more and more prevalent

on construction sites and provide protection from lateral closed head injuries and

injuries to the back of the head. Virginia Tech has partnered with several

associations to study the effects of Class II helmets versus Class I and have ranked

some of the most popular helmets.

• National Nutrition Month

• Workplace Eye Wellness Month (The "It Started With an Eye Exam” Campaign Rolls

Out its Second Year - Prevent Blindness) We all know how important our eyes are – if

you work around anything that may create flying debris, PLEASE wear your eye

protection! 2025 Workplace Eye Wellness Month - Prevent Blindness provides a

variety of free resources, including digital eye strain for those of us who spend a

crazy amount of time on our computers and other devices.

• National Ladder Safety Month (American Ladder Institute) (Home - National Ladder Safety Month) Each week has a theme including:

o Week One: Choosing the Right Ladder

o Week Two: Check Before You Climb

o Week Three: Set It Up Safely

o Week Four: Climb Safely, Work Safely

o Week Five: Safe Steps with Stepstools

Additionally, the American Ladder institute (an OSHA Alliance Association) offers

free training materials that you could use throughout the year.

• National Poison Prevention Week (March 16 – 20) (National Poison Prevention Week | Poison Help) The emphasis is on opioids, and also carbon monoxide

poisoning, radon, lead poisoning and household cleaners.

• National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week (March 16 – 22)

Coming up in April:

• Distracted Driving Month

• National Safe Digging Month

• National Work Zone Awareness Week

• Worker Memorial Day

We’ll get you more details on all of these in a few weeks.

Important components of your safety & health awareness programs are readily available

resources. Use the links above to access FREE content and make your program engaging

through the many tool box talks, posters, training materials and more!

This message is brought to you by YOUR Pacific Northwest Safety & Health Committee!