06/05/2026
In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) established June as National Safety Month to increase awareness of the leading causes of preventable injury and death and encourage organizations to take proactive steps. Thirty years in, that mission remains relevant.
The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts the challenge in perspective. In 2024, private industry employers reported 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, down 3.1% from the prior year. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries recorded 5,070 fatal work injuries that same year. The trend is positive, but the challenge remains.
Week 1 of National Safety Month focuses on Moving Safety Forward. For us, that means talking about something practical: equipment inspection and maintenance.
Effective safety programs treat inspection and maintenance as a standing discipline, not a reaction. Four ways to build that into your safety culture:
Schedule equipment inspections on a defined calendar, not just when something looks wrong
Train workers to identify early signs of wear before a piece of gear fails in the field
Document every inspection and repair to maintain accurate records
Replace PPE and safety equipment on manufacturer-recommended timelines, not convenience
This applies to fall protection, respiratory equipment, gas detection instruments, and other gear where consistent performance is required.
A proactive maintenance program is one of the most cost-effective risk management decisions a safety team can make.
Mallory Safety and Supply's Service and Repair program supports organizations in keeping their safety equipment inspected, certified, and field-ready: mallory.com/servicerepair
