OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week is currently underway and, if you’re like me and you missed it, there are 2 more upcoming safety awareness weeks that you can get your company involved with.
OSHA’s next safety week will specifically tackle preventing falls in construction, which is the leading cause of jobsite fatalities. A second safety, aptly titled Construction Safety Week, is organized by a group of industry professionals and advocates and will focus on a different safety topic each day of the week. Both fall on the same date.
OSHA’s 7th Annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls
Dates: September 14-18
Event website: https://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/
Who can participate: Anyone
Event Details: OSHA, in partnership with other industry safety organizations including NIOSH and CPWR, has put together a solid list of resources that your company can use to highlight the hazards and best practices of fall hazards and prevention in construction. Suggested activities include holding toolbox talks, performing PPE inspections, and developing rescue plans.
Participating employers are encouraged to use #StandDown4Safety on social media to share what your company is doing to promote safe fall prevention practices.
"This national initiative brings much needed attention to falls, which continue to be the leading cause of fatalities in construction," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt, in a press release. "Since OSHA began doing fall prevention stand-down events six years ago, nearly 10 million workers have been reached by our message that falls are preventable. These efforts have been successful in raising awareness of the recognition, evaluation, and control of fall hazards."
Construction Safety Week
Dates: September 14-18
Event website: https://www.constructionsafetyweek.com/
Who can participate: Anyone
Event Details: Construction Safety Week is presented by a group made up of trade organizations, industry partners, advocates, and members with the goal of recognizing and celebrating those who practice and enforce safety on the jobsite in order to ensure everyone goes home safe to their families. Each day will focus on a different safety topic:
Sept. 14: Built on Safety
Sept. 15: Focus on the Fundamentals
Sept. 16: COVID-19 Safety
Sept. 17: Mental Health Awareness
Sept. 18: Thank You, Construction Workers
There are a variety of different resources to assist your company in holding this event located on the Construction Safety Week website, including Toolbox Talks, videos, site banners, at-home activities, and PowerPoint templates.
Shane is the creator of Construction Junkie and an active construction project manager. In his career, he has managed interior remodel projects, site development, construction safety, governmental project compliance, and facility maintenance. He has a strong passion for construction technology and safety, as well as sharing the knowledge or insights he has gained throughout his career.