In the construction industry, falls from height are continuously the leading cause of jobsite injuries, fatalities, and, as a result, OSHA citations. From May 3-May 7, OSHA invites construction employers and stakeholders to take part in their 8th annual National Safety Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.
Developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Occupational Research Agenda, and The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), OSHA has helped train over 10 million workers on fall protection since the event began in 2014.
“Workers suffer serious and fatal injuries from falls and have a devastating impact on families and businesses,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health James Frederick, in a press release. “This important collaboration with the construction industry encourages employers to learn how to better control fall-related hazards and improve their safety and health programs.”
If you or your company is interested in joining in on the stand down, OSHA has an FAQ page, suggestions to prepare for a successful stand-down, and highlights from past stand-downs available on their website for reference. They also have a web page full of resources, including training materials, guidance on specific fall related topics, videos, and additional educational materials from both OSHA and their partners.
For those in the social media scene, you can share highlights of your own stand down of follow along with others by using #StandDown4Safety wherever hashtags apply.
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.