2026 Safety Observances

January

Minimum Wage Update – January 1

Multiple states and cities will participate in a minimum wage increase starting the first day of 2026. This change will impact about 10 million U.S. workers, whose pay will grow as the new year begins.

Access a more in-depth review of these wage increases:
Novara: Workplace Compliance News >>

Review common wage and hour law misconceptions to avoid easy mistakes:
Novara: Wage & Hour Laws: Four Common Misconceptions >>

Radon Action Month

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among non-smokers in the
U.S. To raise awareness of its dangers, the EPA designates January as National Radon Action Month. Many use this time to test their homes and workplaces for radon or attend safety events. Find out more about this event and review important action items:
National Radon Action Month >>

Data Privacy Week – January 26-30

Data Privacy Week raises awareness about users’ data privacy rights and guides companies on respecting their clients. This year’s theme is ‘Take Control of Your Data,’ encouraging users to review the platforms that already access their data and consider the personal information they share with future platforms.

Here’s a more in-depth look at how you can take control of your data:
Data Privacy Week >>

Understanding recent FTC updates to security breach protocol may be one of the most important ways you can protect data privacy. Read up on data privacy on the Novara blog: Novara Safeguards Articles >>

Februrary

OSHA Reporting Posting Deadline – February 1

Establishments with 250 or more employees in industries covered by the recordkeeping regulation must keep these post their Form 300A in a visible workplace area from February 1 through April 30th of the year following the year in which the incidents were recorded.

You’re probably all over this one already. Stay up to speed on OSHA reporting requirements in the OSHA Reporting resource hub: Novara: OSHA Reporting Resource Hub >>

Burn Awareness Week- February 1 -7

The American Burn Association holds National Burn Awareness Week, focusing on fire safety and preventing flammable liquid burn injuries. Consider reviewing your fire response plan or conducting a fire drill.

Read up on fire extinguisher inspection best practices. Novara: How Often Should You Inspect Fire Extinguishers? >>

Check out our collection of fire prevention training titles: Novara: Fire Prevention Training Courses >>

Safer Internet Day – February 10

Safer Internet Day aims to educate users on digital competency, focusing on topics like cyberbullying and social networking, especially for young people. In the workplace, it emphasizes cybersecurity. At Novara, we review common phishing schemes and reinforce data safety to mark this observance.

View Novara’s cybersecurity articles: Novara Cybersecurity Articles >>

Or, check out Novara’s Privacy and Safeguards Solution: Novara: Vera Suite
Privacy and Safeguards Solutions >>

April

Distracted Driver Awareness
Month

Each day, at least 8 people die from distracted driving, totaling nearly 3,000 deaths annually. April is Distracted Driver Awareness Month, highlighting the dangers of being distracted while driving, especially in environments like car dealerships and trucking companies.

Read up on some safe driving tips:
Novara: Safe Driving for Dealers: 3 Tips for Avoiding Accidents and OSHA Citations >>

If you want an even more in-depth review of safe driving practices, check out our safe driving training courses. Novara: Safe Driving Training Courses >>

Stress Awareness Month

Prolonged stress is often underestimated, particularly in professional environments.
It affects emotional and physical health, increasing risks like high blood pressure
and heart issues. This month, check in on your coworkers and show kindness; a little warmth might be just what someone like cranky Kyle needs. Stress Awareness
Month >>

Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol Awareness Month highlights the dangers of alcohol abuse. It coincides with Stress Awareness Month, as stress often contributes to alcoholism. We encourage checking in on coworkers and family to ensure they feel supported and informed about the risks associated with alcohol. Substance abuse is prevalent in certain industries, with the construction sector reporting the second highest rates. One study found that 16.5% of full-time construction workers had heavy drinking habits in the past month.

Read our article about preventing substance abuse in construction:
Novara: Best Practices to Combat Substance Abuse in the Construction Industry >>

And find employee resources from the DHS: Alcohol Awareness Month >>

Workplace Violence
Awareness Month

Workplace Violence Awareness Month highlights the issue’s severity. It’s a good time to establish a workplace violence protocol and consider preventative measures for your community. Acting early can help prevent minor issues from escalating.
Learn the ins and outs of workplace violence: Novara: Workplace Violence – What
You Need to Know >>

Work Zone Awareness Week – April 20-24

National Work Zone Awareness Week emphasizes the importance of following safety protocols in work zones. This observance allows us to review work zone expectations and implement plans to avoid as many work zone incidents as possible.
National Work Zone Awareness >>

Earth Day – April 22

Every year on April 22, over 8 billion people celebrate Earth Day, which began in 1970.
It’s a time to appreciate our planet and consider how we can protect it.

This year’s theme is ‘Our Power. Our Planet’, and urge participants to explore smart energy
choices. Earth Day 2026 >>

Novara offers sustainability software to align your organization’s goals with planetsafe practices.
Novara: Sustainability >>

Worker’s Memorial Day – April 28

We observe Workers’ Memorial Day each year to remember those who have lost their lives due to workplace incidents. This day allows us to mourn those lost in their industries and serves as a reminder of the importance of following safety protocols.
OSHA Worker’s Memorial Day >>

May

Electrical Safety Month

Electrical safety is important not just in construction and electrical work, but for everyone. Anyone who uses lithium batteries, electric vehicles, or wall outlets can be exposed to potential dangers. May is recognized as Electrical Safety Month to help raise awareness about these risks.
National Electrical Safety Month >>

Mental Health Awareness Month

This month, let’s focus on our mental health and recognize the journeys of those around us.

Remember, everyone has their struggles, so check in on
yourself, too! It’s okay to seek help, and plenty of resources are available.

Find resources for crisis and immediate
response here: MHA Crisis Resources

Construction Safety Week – May 4-8

During Construction Safety Week, we emphasize reviewing safety protocols, as construction accounts for about one-fifth of workplace fatalities. This week offers a chance to focus on prevention strategies rather than just response.

Here are the top 5 recent safety concerns in the construction industry. Check your workplace to ensure you’re in compliance with these areas.
Novara: Top OSHA Violations for Construction >>

And, read up on OSHA’s four focus areas for the prevention of construction fatalities:
Novara: OSHA’s Focus Four: Preventing Fatal Construction Accidents >>

National Safety Stand-Down – May 4-8

The National Safety Stand-Down, sponsored by OSHA, focuses on raising awareness about fall hazards. In 2023, the most cited violation was failing to follow fall protection requirements. OSHA encourages taking a day to pause work and review these protocols. For workplaces with fewer fall hazards, the stand-down can address broader safety topics.

Find our fall hazards in construction prevention checklist here:
Novara: Fall Hazards in Construction: Your Prevention Checklist >>

July

UV Safety Month

Improper face protection, including inadequate eye protection from damaging UV rays, was one of the top 10 OSHA violations in 2024. This highlights the importance of UV Safety Month, which raises awareness about UV dangers. To protect yourself, consider using sunscreen, UV-protectant clothing, and eyewear. Review your industry’s guidelines and ensure they are followed.

Learn more about UV safety: Cancer.org: Be Safe in the Sun >>

Summer Safety

Summer isn’t all fun in the sun. Excessive heat, natural isasters, and other major safety concerns unique to this season often rear their ugly heads on our job sites.

We’ve outlined the biggest summer threats to safety and
productivity, as well as techniques for how you and your workforce can beat the heat: Novara: Summer Safety Hazards>>

Minimum Wage Update – July 1

For our fellow HR professionals, following minimum wage changes is vital but also hard to keep track of among everything else you have to do. Starting July 1, several states, cities, and counties will increase the minimum wage.

We keep track of all the increases you need to know about for your employees.
Novara: Workplace Compliance News >>

August

Safe + Sound Week – August 10-16

OSHA describes it as “a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe.” OSHA: Safe + Sound Week >>

Immunization Awareness Month

Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages.

Here’s some background from the CDC:
National Immunization Awareness Month >>

Fire Prevention

Goodness, it’s hot out there! And in many spots around the country, it’s hot and dry.. meaning it’s fire season. OSHA requires you to reduce employees’ exposure to polluted air. Here are some steps to keep your workforce safe. Novara: Wildfires – A Safety Manager’s Guide>

October

Fire Protection Week – October 6-10

National Fire Protection Week revolves around topics related to fire safety. It is celebrated each year on the week of October 9th to commemorate the Chicago fire of 1871 and is the perfect opportunity to review workplace fire hazards and safety procedures.

Check out samples of our online fire prevention training:
Novara Training: Fire Prevention >>

Learn about important procedures involving fire extinguisher inspections. Novara: OSHA Fire Extinguisher Safety Standards >>

Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Substance Abuse Prevention Month centers around tackling the worldwide issue of substance abuse. Established in 2011, it also focuses on celebrating those who have overcome substance abuse issues and remembering those who were unable to do so.

Find more general resources here: National Substance Abuse Prevention Month >>

Awareness of addiction is crucial in various industries; for example, a 2015 study found that 14.3% of full-time construction workers reported addiction to alcohol or substances.

Learn more about industry-specific best practices: Novara: Best Practices to Combat Substance Abuse in Construction >>

Check out an interview on addressing substance abuse: Novara: Addressing Substance Abuse in the Workplace >>

Protect Your Hearing Month

National Protect Your Hearing Month reminds us to assess hearing hazards in the workplace. The CDC highlights that all industries face hearing risks.

Proper PPE can significantly reduce the risk of hearing damage: NIOSH: Noise & Hearing Loss >>

Check out our training on PPE and Hearing Conservation: Novara Training Courses: Hearing >>

November

Daylight Savings Time Ends – November 1

Time changes impact employees across the board. Decreases in alertness, reaction time, and decision-making ability have the potential to affect our health and safety and the health and safety of those around us while at work, on the road, or at home. ASSP has some recommendations for how to keep your employees safe:
ASSP: How Do Time Changes Impact Worker Fatigue and Safety >>

Drowsy Driving Protection Week -November 1-7

For those of you who work with fleets, this is a good one to reinforce with your drivers. The National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when they are alert and refreshed. Their goal is to help people get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers who choose to drive while sleep-deprived.

Grab some tools and resources: Drowsy Driving Prevention >>

Great American Smokeout – November 19

Did you know smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year? You wouldn’t be reading this post if you didn’t care about your employees’ health… and your job title means you obviously care about fire prevention. Here’s a great chance to cover both of these topics.
Grab some tools and resources here:
Cancer.org: Great American Smokeout Resources >>

Computer Security Day – November 30

National Computer Security Day aims to raise awareness about cybersecurity issues and promote online security. With increasing news of cyberattacks and data breaches, it highlights the growing importance of protecting ourselves in today’s digital landscape.

The National Cybersecurity Alliance has some resources for you:
NCA: Cybersecurity Resources for Business >>

And Novara has cybersecurity resources and expertise for you as well!
Novara: Privacy and Safeguards Solutions >>

Turn Awarenes Into Action

Safety observances aren’t just dates on a calendar—they’re opportunities
to strengthen your safety culture and protect your most valuable asset:
your people.

Each observance provides a platform to reinforce safety messages and maintain the momentum of
your safety programs throughout the year.
Managing these observances effectively while maintaining day-to-day safety operations can be
challenging. Modern safety management software helps streamline your safety program by:

• Automating reminders for upcoming observances
• Tracking employee engagement and participation
• Distributing targeted training materials
• Ensuring no important dates slip through the cracks
• Providing flexibility to customize initiatives for your organization’s needs

The success of any safety program depends on consistent, year-round attention and engaged employees who feel connected to your safety mission. By leveraging technology, you can transform one-time observances into lasting safety habits and build a culture where safety is truly valued every day.

Stay safe, stay engaged. Here’s to making 2026 your safest year yet!