Tens of thousands of employers and more than 1 million workers across the country are joining the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from June 2 - 6 in safety stand-downs to focus on saving lives and preventing fatalities from falls in the construction industry.
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction and more than 300 workers lost their lives in falls during 2012. Lack of fall protection is the most frequently cited OSHA violation, proving that these deaths are preventable when employers provide the right safety equipment and properly train workers how to use it.
As a part of the Stand-Down, companies and workers will voluntarily stop work to host safety events focusing on how to prevent these fatalities.
The purpose of the National Fall Prevention Stand-Down is to raise awareness of preventing fall hazards in construction. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers, accounting for 269 of the 775 construction fatalities recorded in 2012. Those deaths were preventable. Fall prevention safety standards were among the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards, during fiscal year 2012.
What is a Safety Stand-Down?
A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety, this year we are focusing on “Fall Hazards" and to reinforce the importance of "Fall Prevention."
How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down and FAQ's
Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime during the week of June 2-6, 2014. See Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful "Stand-Down."
The goal is to have over 25,000 employers and 500,000 workers to hold a Stand-Down and if we meet this goal, we will have touched almost 1 out of 10 construction workers in the country.
Who Can Participate?
Participants may include employer’s trade associations, federal, state and local governmental agencies, professional societies, institutes, and consumer/labor-management interest organizations, sub-and independent contractors.
Partners
OSHA is partnering with key groups to assist with this effort, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), OSHA approved State Plans, State consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the National Safety Council, and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.
Certificate of Participation
Employers can provide feedback about their Stand-Down and receive a Certificate of Participation signed by the Secretary of Labor, Thomas E. Perez. The page will remain active through July 15, 2014.
Share Your Story With Us
If you want to share information with OSHA on your Safety Stand-Down, Fall Prevention Programs or suggestions on how we can improve future initiatives like this, please send your email to oshastanddown@dol.gov.
Related Stories
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: The rise of multi-user virtual reality
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), two of CannonDesign's tech leaders present their early findings from pilot testing multi-user VR technology for AEC project coordination.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: The next frontier of post-occupancy evaluations
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), ZGF Architects’ Chris Chatto outlines methods for conducting meaningful, holistic evaluations from design to occupancy.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
Contractors | May 5, 2018
Manual data entry still hampers jobsite construction
A new survey also finds managers and executives collecting and managing their work information on multiple platforms.
Contractors | May 3, 2018
The U.S. construction pipeline showed healthy growth in the first quarter
We expect the Pipeline to continue its modest growth through 2018.
Contractors | Apr 30, 2018
Following—and forecasting—the money: Financial modeling for project managers
To wait until there’s a problem affecting design and construction before consulting with a PM wastes valuable time when a project is at its most vulnerable point.
Contractors | Apr 26, 2018
At Boston University’s dental school, ‘under construction’ won’t mean ‘closed for business’
A major renovation and addition are scheduled to minimize operational disruption.
Contractors | Apr 20, 2018
Construction employment rises in 38 states and D.C. from March 2017 to March 2018
California and West Virginia have biggest job gains for the year, North Dakota has largest decline; Texas and Alaska have largest monthly pickup, New York and Hawaii have largest monthly drops.
Contractors | Apr 13, 2018
Clayco to open new office in Greenville, South Carolina
The office will be located in the One building at 2 West Washington Street.
Contractors | Apr 9, 2018
Tech Report 5.0: Smart(er) Jobsites
Real-time construction analysis, just-in-time materials delivery, digital production planning systems—these are just a few of the novel approaches construction firms are implementing to take control of their jobsites.
