7 Strange Safety Facts You Probably Never Knew
There are some surprising and downright strange facts about the importance of safety!
1) National Forklift Safety Day
Yes, forklifts have their own day!
National Forklift Safety Day is observed annually, typically on the second Tuesday in June, to raise awareness about safe forklift operation. Considering how often they’re involved in workplace incidents, it’s not as random as it sounds. It’s a reminder of how important proper training and safe operation really is.
For forklift training visit the Saskatchewan Safety Council.
2) Smokey Bear is more than a mascot
Do you remember his slogans? It changed in 2001!
“Smokey” was inspired in part by Joe Martin, a New York City firefighter who suffered severe burns during a rescue in 1922. His story helped shape one of the most recognizable safety campaigns in history – his image is protected by the Smokey Bear Act of 1952. Remember this?
3) “Safety Orange” is official
That bright orange used on vests and safety gear isn’t just any orange.
It’s actually a specific colour – Pantone 152. (Hex: E57200). “Safety Orange” is designed for maximum visibility. It’s even written into the ANSI standards and differs from other oranges like the “hunter orange” or the shade used on traffic cones.
When it comes to visibility, small differences in colour can make (prevent) a big impact!
4) Safety training… in Minecraft
Safety training has made its way into Minecraft.
This game is engaging new and future workers and building awareness early in virtual training environments where users can learn about hazard recognition, site inspections, and safe work practices. Some creators have even built virtual safety inspectors within the game!
Service Hospitality also engages new and future workers – did you know 70% of us get our first job in the hospitality industry?
Check out our Future Workers Roadmap!
5) How long it takes to inspect every Saskatchewan workplace
Saskatchewan has approximately 40,500 workplaces.
Based on available inspection data, it would take Occupational Health and Safety regulators 12-15 years to inspect each workplace even once. In reality, many inspections are repeat visits to high-risk worksites – some workplaces may go years without ever being inspected.
Reality check: Workplace safety cannot rely solely on enforcement. Employers are legally responsible for their own inspections, training, and proactive safety systems – a critical role in preventing incidents. Check out Service Hospitality’s Workplace Inspection training.
6) <5 hours of sleep = Drunk Driving
Not enough sleep significantly impairs your ability to function and operate a motor vehicle.
Impaired, is impaired, is impaired. Drivers with only 4-5 hours of sleep are at the same risk of making critical errors as those who are impaired by alcohol. Fatigue affects reaction time, awareness, and decision-making, making it a serious – and often overlooked – safety risk.
Check out Tourism Saskatchewan’s Drive for Success training.
7) 2 Injuries per minute – and that’s not the full story
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), approximately 1,000 workplace fatalities occur each year in Canada, with an estimated 1 million reported injuries. This equates to around 2,700 reported injuries every single day… and thousands more unreported.
Prevention is the ONLY way to reduce these numbers. Hazard Assessment & Control training helps everyone recognize risks and take the necessary steps to prevent injuries.
Safety is about rules and regulations AND it’s about awareness, behaviours, and systems working together. These surprising, strange safety facts remind us there is still work to be done.
