It’s that time of year again for Interior employees – when they head into the busy spring-summer season and the number of workplace injuries and accidents tend to increase because there are more visitors, volunteers and seasonal employees outdoors.

That means it’s also time for the department and bureaus to heighten employee awareness and step-up training exercises. Secretary Kempthorne has designated this year’s Safety and Health Awareness Week to be April 7-11, saying the theme “Work Safe 08” is a reminder to managers and supervisors to ensure their employees work safely every day and strive for “excellence beyond compliance.”

“All bureaus and offices should use this week to plan activities that strengthen the awareness and commitment of their employees for a safe and healthy workplace environment,” the Secretary said in his official proclamation. “Managers should provide employees with guidance, support, resources, and information to enable them to carry out their responsibilities in a way that prevents accidents, injuries, or unhealthy conditions from occurring.”

On April 8, as part of this year’s activities Deputy Secretary P. Lynn Scarlett hosted the nationwide satellite broadcast of the annual All-Employee Health and Safety Meeting. In her remarks she communicated to senior leaders, managers, and employees their responsibilities for the health and safety of employees, visitors, volunteers, and the general public. She also highlighted actions taken by the bureaus and the department to enhance employee health and safety.

“Work Safe 08” encourages managers and supervisors at more then 2,400 Interior work sites across the nation to hold additional activities for their seasonal hires, interns, and volunteers prior to the beginning of the busy field season. These activities should focus on those areas of particular concern during the time when many of our employees are placed in potentially more hazardous situations.

Hundreds of creative activities are being planned and carried out by bureaus during Safety and Health Awareness Week to help improve programs through workshops, hands-on-demonstrations, fairs and Safety Champion recognition events. The goal is to remind employees and volunteers to be especially vigilant, both for their own safety and for the safety of others.

“As employees, we are all responsible for being familiar with and ensuring compliance with safety and health policies, regulations, and standards,” Secretary Kempthorne said in his proclamation. “Any unsafe condition or act should be reported to your supervisor. If you sense you are getting into an unsafe situation, get out immediately. Don’t take any chances. If you see someone else taking unnecessary risks, act before an accident or injury occurs.”

For more information, contact your bureau or office safety and health officer.

The DOI Office of Health and Safety Web site is http://www.doi.gov/ohs/