The True North EHS, Issue #6

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June 2026
Practical safety insight for real-world operations

Lead Story: National Safety Month and the Importance of Sharpening the Axe

June is National Safety Month, and I think it gives all of us a good reason to step back and refocus.

There is a story about a new woodsman who started a job and cut down 18 trees on his first day. The next day he cut down 15. On the third day he only cut down 10. Frustrated, he went to the foreman and said, "I don't know what's going on. I'm working my butt off, but every day I'm cutting down fewer trees." The foreman asked him, "When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" The woodsman said, "I've been too busy cutting trees down to sharpen it."

I think that is a good reminder for all of us.

In safety, it is easy to stay so busy with the day-to-day work that we never take the time to step back, reset, and improve. National Safety Month is a good opportunity to do exactly that. It is a chance to learn something new, revisit the fundamentals, and look for ways to strengthen both our day-to-day safety performance and the overall safety culture across our organization.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is pause long enough to sharpen the axe. That might mean refreshing training, reviewing a procedure that has gone stale, taking a harder look at recurring small hazards, or simply having the conversations we have been too busy to have. The point is not to slow down for the sake of slowing down. The point is to make sure we are building the capability to perform better and protect people more effectively.

Practical Takeaway

Use National Safety Month as a reason to revisit one part of your safety program that has gone on autopilot.
Look for the small warning signs that suggest risk is being normalized in day-to-day operations.
Refresh a topic your team may have gotten too comfortable with before complacency turns into exposure.
Ask what one improvement would make your operation safer, clearer, or more consistent this month.

PPE Spotlight: HexArmor Helix 3013IMP Gloves

When the job calls for more than basic hand protection, the HexArmor Helix 3013IMP stands out. These gloves combine 360-degree ANSI A6 cut resistance with back-of-hand impact protection on the knuckles and fingers, giving workers strong protection without the bulk that often gets in the way of comfort and dexterity. With an 18-gauge shell, polyurethane palm coating, reinforced thumb saddle, hi-vis backing, and touchscreen capability, they are a practical option for tasks involving sharp materials, tools, and higher-risk hand exposure.

**Recommended gloves:** HexArmor Helix 3013IMP https://www.hexarmor.com/products/helix-3013imp

From The True North EHS

*Welcome to True North EHS* In Welcome to True North EHS, I share the purpose behind this platform and the kind of practical, real-world EHS insight readers can expect. My goal is simple: to provide useful perspective on safety, compliance, leadership, and operational discipline that actually connects to the realities people face in the field every day. There is no shortage of safety content out there, but too much of it feels disconnected from what leaders, supervisors, and teams are actually dealing with in the real world. I want this platform to be a place for practical insight that helps people think more clearly, lead more effectively, and build stronger performance over time. https://www.thetruenorthehs.com/welcome-to-true-north-ehs/