WHEREAS, making safety and health a daily priority is essential to the well-being and security of all North Carolinians, particularly during the unprecedented workplace challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, many risks encountered in daily life at the worksite and at home can be positively addressed through observance of well-structured safety and health rules and practices; and
WHEREAS, National Safety Month, observed each June, focuses on protecting state employees from external environments and hazards at work which are direct threats to their welfare; and
WHEREAS, through practicing comprehensive business continuity planning, our state engagement will serve to increase awareness of significant safety threats and how they will be consistently addressed; and
WHEREAS, ongoing safety and health training and awareness prevents workplace injuries and aligns with the mission of all state agencies to protect the health and safety of our residents and state employees, including the anticipated return of teleworking employees to their usual workplaces; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina continues to utilize the Flag the Hazard digital reporting tool for state employees to report hazards observed in their workplace for mitigation and potential elimination; and
WHEREAS, the security of State employees is a valuable asset to North Carolina communities and is vital to ensure continuity of state services; and
WHEREAS, the safety of state employees is a shared responsibility amongst all employees in every state agency; every state agency should actively engage in efforts to recognize and correct existing unsafe workplace conditions; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is committed to safety and health related initiatives and encourages all North Carolinians to take similar actions to reduce the incidence of preventable injuries;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June, 2021, as “SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.