We know, we know: Workplace safety isn’t always the most exciting topic. But it matters, and National Safety Week is a great reminder of just how much it matters. National Safety Week, typically observed in early June, was established to spotlight workplace safety initiatives and encourage proactive prevention efforts. Since its inception in 1996 by the National Safety Council, it has become a key event on the safety calendar. For employers, it offers a valuable chance to highlight a safety-first culture—protecting employees and strengthening the company’s reputation in the process.
Still, even the most well-meaning employer can find it hard to come up with engaging ways to participate, especially when time is limited. That’s where this Safety Week planning guide comes in: to help you find ways to promote the kind of safe work environment that protects your team, boosts morale, and improves productivity.
What is National Safety Month?
National Safety Month, organized by the National Safety Council (NSC), has been observed every June since 1996. Its goal is to raise awareness around preventable injuries and highlight ways to create safer work environments. While many industries and organizations host their own safety-focused events throughout the year, National Safety Month remains a widely recognized campaign that brings everyone—from small businesses to large corporations—into the conversation.
Each year, the NSC selects weekly themes that address key safety topics. These might include issues like emergency preparedness, slip and fall prevention, or mental health in the workplace. The 2025 themes continue to focus on practical, actionable steps that help reduce risk: continuous improvement, employee safety engagement, roadway safety, and employee wellbeing.
Beyond just raising awareness, National Safety Month is a great opportunity to align your efforts with OSHA guidelines and internal safety goals. Participating supports broader compliance, reinforces training, and helps embed a culture of care and responsibility in your workplace. It’s an easy, timely way to show your team that their safety is a top priority.
The business case for workplace safety
Sure, investing in workplace safety is the right thing to do, but it’s also smart business. Accidents can be costly, not only in terms of medical bills, workers’ comp claims, and rising insurance premiums, but also in lost productivity and potential legal issues. The impact doesn’t stop there, as the “soft” costs of a poor safety record—like low morale, employee burnout, and higher turnover—can quietly drain your company’s energy and resources.
Research consistently shows that companies with strong safety records outperform their peers. A safe workplace signals that you care about your people, which attracts job seekers and encourages employees to stick around. In today’s competitive hiring market, a reputation for safety can set your company apart.
Beyond hiring, a strong safety culture tends to go hand in hand with high-performing teams and strong leadership. When safety is embedded into everyday routines, it creates a foundation of trust, accountability, and excellence. By prioritizing safety, you’re able to avoid accidents and simultaneously build a workplace where people want to do their best work.
Engaging National Safety Week activities that employees will actually enjoy
Planning creative safety activities for employees during National Safety Week doesn’t have to be a chore—or a snooze. The key is to make interactive safety training meaningful and even fun! With a little creativity, you can get employees involved in ways that stick long after the week ends. Here are a few ideas to help you energize your safety efforts and boost participation across your workplace.
Interactive safety training workshops
Ditch the dry lectures and opt for hands-on learning. Scenario-based training using real-life workplace examples helps employees connect safety concepts to their daily routines. Consider bringing in outside experts or vendors to demonstrate new safety technologies or equipment. Sessions like these are both informative and memorable.
Employee-led safety initiatives
When employees help shape their own safety culture, they’re more invested. You might want to try establishing safety committees where membership rotates to give everyone a voice. Or you could launch a “Safety Champion” program that recognizes outstanding safety leadership. Add some fun with department competitions or hazard-spotting challenges that come with meaningful rewards.
Creative safety communication
Make National Safety Week the time to breathe some new life into your safety messaging. Swap out dusty posters for fresh digital content, like quick videos featuring real staff members or safety tips shared on your internal platforms. And if you have the bandwidth, you could even gamify learning with safety-themed quizzes or mobile apps to keep the momentum going.
Community-building safety events
Safety feels more personal when you include employees’ families in a Family Safety Day or host team-building National Safety Week activities with a twist. Invite local fire or EMS teams for live demos—these events build community while reinforcing important safety practices.
Measuring safety performance
To get the most out of National Safety Week, it helps to have a way to measure safety performance and impact—whatever that looks like for your workplace. Start by setting simple, realistic goals. Maybe it’s boosting participation, collecting feedback, or just kicking off your first-ever safety event. Even “We did something for National Safety Week, and that’s a win” can be a meaningful metric.
After the week wraps up, check in with your team. Use quick surveys, suggestion boxes, or informal conversations to gather their thoughts. What did they enjoy? What could be better next time? Keep an eye on any changes in incident reporting or near-miss submissions, trends that can tell you a lot about how safety awareness is evolving.
Participation rates are another helpful indicator. Who showed up? Who engaged? These insights can guide future events and help you tailor National Safety Week activities to your team’s interests and needs. Most importantly, use what you learn to build on your efforts, because each year is a chance to grow a little stronger and a little safer.
How Spherion supports safety-conscious workplaces
At Spherion, we don’t treat safety as a checklist of to-dos. For us, safety is a core value, and it’s an integral part of how we do business.
We work closely with our clients to help build and maintain workplaces where employees feel protected and empowered. Our hiring process includes pre-screening candidates for safety awareness and qualifications, ensuring every placement supports your culture of care. Temporary workers receive thorough safety training before they step on site, and we’re always available to offer guidance on compliance and best practices.
Many of our clients have seen measurable improvements in their safety records thanks to strong Spherion partnerships. For National Safety Week, we’re here to help with ideas, planning tools like this National Safety Week planning guide, and resources that make participation easy and impactful. Together, we can build safer workplaces, one great hire at a time.
Make Safety Week count—and keep it going
National Safety Week is a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on what matters most: the wellbeing of your team. Use it as a springboard to spark conversations, build employee safety engagement, and reinforce your commitment to a safe workplace.
Now’s the time to start planning National Safety Week activities that will resonate with your employees and set the tone for a strong safety culture. While Safety Week lasts only a few days, the impact can last all year. Remember, companies that lead with safety don’t just prevent accidents, they create environments where people want to stay, grow, and thrive. A safer workplace is a stronger, more successful one, for everyone.