Get ready to stand down May 7-11
Posted March 20, 2018
2018 marks the fifth time OSHA will sponsor the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. The stand-down, to be held May 7-11, is a national effort to address the leading cause of death for construction employees: falls from elevation. In 2016, 370 construction workers lost their lives in falls from heights.
The Safety Stand-Down is a time when construction employers across the country can stop to emphasize safety and training. OSHA says any workplace can take a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforce the importance of fall prevention. Even employers with workers who are not exposed to fall hazards can use this opportunity to talk with employees about other job hazards they face. It’s also a good time to discuss protective methods and the companies’ safety policies and goals.
OSHA is partnering with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), OSHA approved State Plans, State consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), and other national safety groups to sponsor the national event.
In the past four national stand-downs, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, sub- and independent contractors, highway construction companies, general industry employers, the U.S. Military, other government employers, unions, employers’ trade associations, institutes, employee interest organizations, and safety equipment manufacturers.
To participate in the Safety Stand-Down, companies “take a break” to have a toolbox talk or other safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job-specific hazards. These stand-down events can be held any time during the week of May 7-11, 2018. OSHA also hosts an Events webpage that lists free safety events that are open to the public throughout the country.
Employers can download a Certificate of Participation from OSHA’s website following the National Safety Stand-Down.
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