The Consult

Thoughts on National Safety Month with HRP’s new Corporate Health and Safety Officer.

For Jessica Eubanks, HRP’s new Corporate Health and Safety Officer, National Safety Month is about more than double-checking regulatory compliance and ticking boxes: it’s an opportunity to raise awareness about preventing injuries and accidents in all aspects of life. Whether in the workplace, on the road, or at home, the month of June represents a time to educate people about safety measures and promote a culture of safety-conscious behavior.

This has been Jessica’s focus throughout the majority of her career. And while she is only a couple of months into her new position at HRP, in a way, her journey to where she is today started several years ago.

“I spent a portion of my career dealing primarily with assembly operations,” says Jessica. When I received my first hazardous waste certification, HRP’s Jackie Baxley was the one that signed off on the training. I had always been a fan of HRP Associates, and now I’m here working for them.”

Jessica brings over 15 years of environmental health and safety experience to her role. Prior to joining HRP, her background had been primarily in manufacturing operations, mostly in the automotive field, and she’s excited to gain new perspectives as a consultant.

“Health and Safety has always been my passion. At the first manufacturing facility I worked for, I started off as a production floor operator. It wasn’t something I really wanted to do. I thought I could have a bigger impact elsewhere. When a position opened up in document control, which involved implementing procedures for the operators, I jumped at the opportunity. But that’s where my passion for safety started – right on the production floor.”

Jessica is focused on bringing that passion to HRP. As Corporate Health and Safety Officer, Jessica takes on the responsibility of ensuring the company maintains a secure and healthy workplace environment for staff. Jessica crafts safety policies in accordance with regulations and industry standards and conducts thorough risk assessments to pinpoint potential hazards. She’s focused on providing comprehensive training on safety protocols and procedures, overseeing compliance with health and safety regulations, investigating incidents to prevent recurrence, and maintaining records of safety activities. Ultimately, her proactive approach aims to identify and mitigate workplace risks, and heighten safety awareness company-wide.

And with National Safety Month on our radar, it’s the perfect time for Jessica to introduce herself broadly to HRP’s operations throughout the country.

So what is National Safety Month? Promoted by various organizations and institutions, National Safety Month encompasses a multifaceted approach to and perspective on safety. It includes workplace safety initiatives, advocating for safe practices among employees through training sessions and developing a safety-first culture. Home safety education raises awareness about potential hazards like fire safety and poison prevention. Road safety campaigns aim to reduce accidents and fatalities by discouraging behaviors like distracted driving and speeding, while community safety efforts address concerns such as emergency preparedness. Health and wellness practices, including nutrition and stress management, are also emphasized for overall safety. Throughout the month, events, workshops, and campaigns are organized to educate the public and encourage proactive measures to prevent accidents and injuries, fostering a safer environment for all.

Jessica is focusing on four topics at HRP: safety engagement, road safety, risk reduction, slips, trips, and falls. Safety is about paying attention and listening – making sure there is communication about these topics.

To promote National Safety Month, Jessica has embarked on creating a series of events and activities. From a Safety Scavenger Hunt to Safety Bingo, from picking up litter in the local community to showing off your spirit for Health & Safety through spirit weeks and PPE fashion shows, Jessica’s goal is to bring these topics to the forefront.

“We want to have fun while raising awareness on these safety topics,” says Jessica. “Health and Safety shouldn’t be boring – it should be fun! It’s a time where we can focus on how we can keep the environment around us safe. It’s a perfect opportunity to make a difference in our workplace. Whether in the office or in the field at another site or even at home – it’s all about making sure we’re keeping ourselves safe.”