It’s that time of year again, where we acknowledge Safety Break for Oregon, a special day each May designed to raise awareness and promote the value of workplace safety and health.  While past years have involved group activities, such as hazard identification exercises and competitions, PPE checklists, and workplace safety fairs, Safety Beak for Oregon is different this year. Those working from home for the first time face a new set of hazards (who left that lego in the middle of the floor to be stepped on, and why does working from the comfort of my own bed make my back hurt so much?), while folks in the field are devising safer ways to work together while maintaining physical distance.

Whether you are working from home, in the field, or on hold for the time being, Safety Break for Oregon still offers the opportunity to take a few moments to think about how to create safety zones in your own life.  Work and family are sharing many of the same spaces these days – both physically and psychologically. Now is an opportune time to explore and consider new hazards, and with the uncertainty we are all presently facing, your Safety Break may involve something entirely different than in past years. Now more than ever, stress is understandably taking a front seat for many of us. Breathing and relaxation exercises, a physically distanced walk with a cloth face covering, or even a virtual lunch with a colleague or friend can create space for your mind and body to relax and find enjoyment.

Wherever you are today, we encourage you to take a moment for your safety and well-being and that of the folks you work with. While this year is radically different from what most of us have experienced in our lifetimes, Oregonians can summon our trailblazing spirit to strengthen us as we face this new frontier.