Monday, May 4, 2015

Record Numbers to Hear Prevention Message: 2015 National Fall Safety Stand-Down


OSHA is predicting that a record number of companies and workers around the country will participate in the National Fall Safety Stand-Down over the next 2 weeks. “Last year’s Stand-Down was a big success. More than 5,000 employers talked about fall protection with more than 1 million workers. It was a tremendous commitment to safety on the part of businesses and workers alike. I am confident that we can do even better this year,” says U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. 

During the 2-week Stand-Down, employers and workers will voluntarily stop work to focus on these understanding and preventing fall hazards. According to OSHA, events are on tap in all 50 states. Here are just two example:
  1. U.S. Air Force will be hosting fall Stand-Downs at bases worldwide. "Fall protection or prevention is not only for activities related to heights that are encountered every day on the job, but also includes, for example, falls that can happen because of wet floors or obstacles on a walkway," explains Bill Parsons, Air Force Ground Safety chief. "We want everyone to remember that preventable falls are inexcusable and that we must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and each other."
  2. Turner Construction and OSHA are cohosting an event at the U.S. Capitol Dome, which is currently being restored. Check out Turner's video on its 2015 event. Fall protection and scaffold training and demonstrations will be presented during this event, which is free and open to the public.
The National Safety Stand-Down Web page provides details on: how to conduct a stand-down; receive a certificate of participation; and access free education and training resources, fact sheets and other outreach materials in English and Spanish. For a list of stand-down events free and open to the public near you, visit the Stand-Down calendar of events.