Think You Know Workplace Safety? Prove It!

Complete a 10-question quiz for National Safety Month in June for a chance to win a box of delicious cookies

Safety gear

As a Community Services Officer for the Duke University Police department, Aaron Pruka knows a thing or two about safety. Still, he decided to put his knowledge to the test last year by taking an online workplace safety quiz developed by Duke Workers’ Compensation office in Human Resources and the Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO).

What he learned wasn’t too surprising. But what he observed was important.

“Being in the position I’m in, it wasn’t information that I didn’t already know,” Pruka said, “but I do think it is important to have that type of survey put out every once in a while just to test the Duke community’s knowledge on safety.”

Duke staff and faculty are invited to take a 10-question workplace safety quiz throughout June, in recognition of National Safety Month, to raise awareness of common workplace risks.

How Safe is Your Workplace?

Test your workplace safety knowledge during National Safety Month.

Take the Quiz

Everyone who completes the quiz can enter their name in a random drawing to receive one of 10 boxes of a dozen cookies from Southern Sugar Bakery.

“The cookies were delicious,” Pruka said of last year’s variety package that included sugar cookies, chocolate chip and chocolate-chocolate chip, among others. “I shared some with the department, as well as with my family.”

Last year, 871 people took the safety quiz that covers a wide range of topics in scenarios the employees at Duke University and Duke University Health System might encounter. That includes everything from how to report a workplace injury to fire safety and ergonomic advice.

“Not every question can apply to everybody,” said Chip Kyles, Director of Workers’ Compensation for Duke Human Resources, “but it’s intended to create awareness and teach them something that they might not have already known.”

Quiz-takers do not need to get every question correct to be entered into the drawing for cookies; they only need to reach the end of the quiz and submit their name and email address.

“The quiz is hopefully a fun way for Duke employees to see how much they already know about workplace safety and potentially learn something new,” said Nicole Greeson, Associate Director of OESO. “No one wants to get hurt or become ill on the job, so it’s important to understand how to leave work as safely as you arrived.”

In data released in December 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said there were 5,283 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2023, a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. The National Safety Council reports that the top three categories for occupational injuries are exposure to harmful substances or environments, bodily reaction to overexertion, and falls, slips and trips.

“No matter what environment somebody works in, there’s inherent risk,” Kyles said. “If we can get people to think about the risks they have in their environment, then they are the ones who are best positioned to mitigate those risks.”

Take the quiz here.

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